Got the car last week - Awesome - few little niggles - HELP?

[Lig]

Hi Chaps,

Got the car and I loooove it!! Just worried now about parking it at work in the multistory, but time will help me get over this, unless it gets nicked first!!!

Right to the point - Car is going in for a new CD changer (under warranty of course) and I have made a small list of other stuff (a couple very minor, but I am a perfectionist), that some of you guys may be able to help with:

1. Strange engine noise - when I turn the car on from cold it makes a strange wirring noise kind of like a knackered fan cutting in and out?

2. Interior door handles - the rubber coating has worn off and looks tatty - is this something easy to replace or is it a interior door pannel off job?

3. Rear ashtray- it doesnt close? the lid pushes down but doesnt stay down. It doesnt look like anything is broken just dont work??

4. One of the flip keys is very tatty, can i just buy another off ebay and swap the innards and the key?

Thats it! Any advice gratefully recieved.

Cheers in advance.
Lig.

[Rupert]

My door handles are aluminium, but I have heard others saying the rubber coating had come off theirs, the dealer will tell you that you're using the wrong type of hand cream.

[johnny11]

Hi glad you are enjoying the car, the whirring noise on start up is the air con, if you press your econ button the noise will dissapear, that is normal in this car.

[Lig]

Cheers Johnny,

I will try putting it into econ mode and see if that cures it, it just sounds too loud to be the air con comp, and I didnt notice it on the other 3 that I test drove....but having said that I didnt notice it on this one when I test drove it....maybe it was those rose tinted earmuffs I was wearing!!!!

Lig.

[grizz]

The rubber coating is coming off my grab handle as well , i'll call audi tomorrow about it ..

[philroach]

I bought my 2003 avant( 27k mileage) from volkspeed in ashtead three weeks ago
had the same problem with the handles , which they said was a fairly common fault , got their detailer on it , and problem gone away
i think what he did was just to trim the flaking areas and then touch it up with some super duper spray
certainly looks better , you have to look for it anyway
good luck with the car , aint they grand !!!

[Afanargoed]

Hi Lig,

I *think* you may have my old car (congrats she’s a beauty!) - just in case it isn't you (and to save me making a fool of myself) I'll PM you as I can shed some light on these... especially the CD changer.

Rich.

[Rek]

For the key - buy the innards but keep the key section and slip that on. Once the key is in the ignition, it will programme he doors and windows. Something I learned on this forum. The transponder for the ignition is in the half with the key on it.

[Lig]

Cheers for you help so far chaps.....

JOHNNY - the noise isnt the aircon as when I turn it on to ECO it is still there - Rich did however shed some light on this and we think its a cooling component - I am happy with that!

GRIZZ - look forward to see what Audi say - There is a small indentation underneath the handle - could be a screw hole (but i havent looked yet)??!! hopefully it will remove just this seciton and wont be a door lining off job!!

REK - Dont quite understand - are you saying that I can buy a new 'blank' key and switch the innards out of mine i.e just the key section and the buttons will work?? I thought that the transponder for the immob was in the key section and the bit for the central locking i.e the radio bit would be in the other seciton with the buttons?? I am asking if i can swap just the buttons??

I will dissemble the old key (when I get home tomorrow) and report back!!

Cheers all,
Lig.

[Rek]

When you tak the key apart, the battery and the buttons are in one bit, and the metal key in another. The transponder for the engine is in the section with the metal key. The batteryand button bit can be replaced (eBay?), and will be programmed when the new unit is put into the ignition. There are different codes on the battery and button bit. Make sure these are the same on the one you buy.

[Lig]

Ah yes, its making more sense Rek, are these codes printed on the key somewhere (I know there should be a plastic strip with these on but I havent got it) Will i be able to get them from anywhere else like the sticker in the service book???

Lig.

[Rek]

Dunno- sorry. You have to take the key apart to see the code, and it is printed on the plastic, not on a sticker.

[Lig]

Cheers Rek,

I will post later how i get on!!

Lig.

[rsw]

Evening gents,the remote section of the key can only be programmed to the vehicle with a diagnostic machine if it is new to the car,If it is an existing key you can re adapt to the vehicle via lock/unlock car mechanically with the key,open door/ign on press and hold one of the buttons on the fob,job done.

[Lig]

Hi RSW,

so are you saying that if i buy one with the correct code, I will still need to take it to a dealer? And the immob part with the key is in no way linked to the remote part i.e put the key in and press the button - this will then reprogram it???

Cheers,
Lig.