Audi Repair: Serious Electrical Problem??, door hinge, manhattan ny


Question
QUESTION: Jan,
Bare with me please because I have a long explanation of what is happening with my 2002 Audi A6 3.0 Two mechanics specializing in Euro cars have not figured out the problem with my car. Basically it all started with the dome lights flickering on and off while driving for a few days and then finally the flickering stopped and the dome lights stopped working along with the reading lights and all the lights in the interior. Along with the light failure, the windows and sun roof ceased as well and basically was non functional. I checked the fuse and found out the "14" fuse blew and quickly changed it. Long story short, everything was back to normal everything worked; windows, sun roof dome light was all good. 5-10 Mins later dome light starts to flicker on/off again and the fuse blows once more. Repeated all the steps couple of  more times. Please help!!! In addition ( The mechanics looked already underneathe the seat for any leaks and checked the module under the driver seat) Found nothing wrong visually to the part. Can you help point us in the right direction to solve this mystery??? Thanks!!
Brian
Manhattan, NY

ANSWER: Hi Brian,

Thanks for the question, this sounds like an intermittent short circuit, which can be very tough to find.  The only thing which is always moving whenever the car is used is the door, and the wires going into the door are frequently a cause for this type of problem.  I would check the wires right at the door hinge, you may have to peel back the rubber boot aound the wires to get a good look.  The other way to check this, is to replace the fuse, don't move anything.  Then try to correlate the fuse blowing with an action, such as closing the door, or moving pedals or steering wheel, or gear shifter...  Let me know what you find,  Jan

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QUESTION: Jan,
Thanks for your quick reply!! I'll look into that possibility as well but do you have any other ideas that we may explore on top of the one you just gave me so we could check as many possibilities at the same time. Also I for got to mention that the hazard light button makes a buzzing noise, at times very loud, and is very annoying.The buzzing is very intermittent and may last for a few seconds to an extended buzzing which seems very odd. Keep in mind the hazard light is not on. The noise stops when I press the hazard light on though. It starts buzzing usually when I turn on my headlights. Is this problem related to the previous question about the dome lights, the windows and doorlocks, and sun roof not working; or is it a seperate problem altogether. Thanks!
Brian


ANSWER: Does the hazard light switch do this when the fuse that blows frequently is removed?  If so, then it is likely a seperate problem.  If it alos disappears when the fuse is removed, then  this may be the actual cause of your problems, your turn signal flasher is located behind the hazard light switch too; I would have a look there for a possible intermittent short.  Jan

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QUESTION: Jan,

The noise coming from the hazard lights still makes a buzzing noise even when not on while the "14 Fuse " is out, so I guess the problem Is Not related. Going back to the intial question about the dome lights (all interior lights)windows, door locks, sun roof not working and the fuse blowing every time within 10 minutes or so; I forgot to mention that on the display where all low fuel and open door sensors show whats going on in the car; it says that all the doors are open Except the driver door. Even when the other doors were never open. It was just me in the car. Does this info help to isolate the exact problem. And if it does, what do you think that means?? Thanks!
Brian

Answer
The door sensors do seem to have an issue, I just don't know which one.  If all the others show a problem, perhaps it is the passenger one which is faulty, or perhaps one of the rear doors.  Either way I would check the wires in the door hinge area for problems.  Jan