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      11-16-2007, 01:41 PM   #1
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Need Advice...

My neighbours parents are visiting their daughter (my neighbour) and they have left their Audi A8 parked on the driveway. I suspect they are all away visiting my neighbours country retreat for the weekend, but the A8 has its follow me home lights on (the xenons!!!) and they have been on for about 30 mins

I've just had a peek at the A8 and the entire dashboard is lit up like a Christmas tree with a big battery graphics symbol showing as well as the yellow engine diagnostics light and a seatbelt fastening light!!!! I don't think there is anything I can do as I don't have contact details for them, but how long do you think before the battery goes completely since the xenons must surely be quite draining?
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      11-16-2007, 02:05 PM   #2
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Gordon, I'd have a set of weighty jump leads at the ready for when they return!
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      11-16-2007, 02:15 PM   #3
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Its a shame Peter, I can see the back lights getting dimmer, but the xenons are still going strong. I reckon they've been on just over an hour now!
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      11-16-2007, 02:19 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer View Post
Its a shame Peter, I can see the back lights getting dimmer, but the xenons are still going strong. I reckon they've been on just over an hour now!
Is there an Audi emergrncy phone line number on the windscreen tax disc holder or on the website.

Might be worth a call to see if there are any help.
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      11-16-2007, 02:27 PM   #5
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Update - the back lights are sooooo dim they are hardly on. The alarm led on the doors that Audi's have have stopped flashing, the dashboard lighting is off apart from a few warning lights.... but the xenons are still on!!! The lighting switch is set at AUTO but I suspect the follow me home has malfunctioned

Even if they are all just out for dinner and return later, I think the battery must be pretty dead now.
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      11-16-2007, 02:27 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gibbo View Post
Is there an Audi emergrncy phone line number on the windscreen tax disc holder or on the website.

Might be worth a call to see if there are any help.
The car seems to have been bought from Audi Edinburgh.
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      11-16-2007, 02:32 PM   #7
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You are obviously a good neighbour. If it had been me I would have complained about the lights shining too brightly near my living room and disturbing my TV watching.

Seriously though, don't think there's much you can do. as suggested, jump leads for their return.
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      11-16-2007, 02:34 PM   #8
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Just leave a note i guess... Do you have the leads ?

SJ
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      11-16-2007, 02:43 PM   #9
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Update - one of the xenons has just went out... it flickered for a bit then went off completely. I really hope the bulb hasn't blown because of this. The dash has all the red and yellow warning lights on (ABS, airbag, traction control, battery, engine diagnostics, seatbelt fastening sign).

I'll leave a note for them and I guess its Audi Emergency Service when they get back. Its a shame - the car is only about 2 years old and pretty high spec... I remember my neighbour telling me about it when her father bought it (A8 3.0tdi quattro).
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      11-16-2007, 02:45 PM   #10
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well its good that they was so wrapped up in having a good evening that they forgot to turn em off!

Just do thje neighbourly thing and offer them a jump


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      11-17-2007, 09:27 AM   #11
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Gordon, read all the above. What is the upshot then?
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      11-17-2007, 12:35 PM   #12
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Isn't watching a battery drain akin to watching grass grow or paint dry?
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      11-17-2007, 01:36 PM   #13
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Gordon,

Sounds like there's not a lot you can do, apart from let them know when they get back. However, I'd be extremely happy to have a neighbour as caring and conscientious as you!
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      11-17-2007, 01:59 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bumps View Post
Gordon,

Sounds like there's not a lot you can do, apart from let them know when they get back. However, I'd be extremely happy to have a neighbour as caring and conscientious as you!
Bumps i think this all ended sometime yesterday? we just dont know the outcome yet of what ''exactly'' happened
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      11-17-2007, 03:10 PM   #15
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Ok, I left a note for my neighbour last night, saying that the headlights (xenons) were on for about 3 hours, before the car finally went into darkness about 9pm. My neighbour and her parents returned about midnight and obviously got the note, as Audi Emergency Rescue arrived early this morning and got it going.

However..... this is the scary part! ... was chatting to my neighbour this afternoon and it turns out her dad had an incident earlier in the day with it. I did notice a large chunk out of the rear bumper and a lot of scrape marks. It seems that when they were re-ordering the cars in the driveway, my neighbours dad (who owns the car) approached the car and unlocked it using the comfort access option (not sure what Audi calls it), but the car automatically started and went into reverse (even though the gear lever was in Park) and reversed back itself and hit a wall! The car has apparently had a new ECU but seems it has left its lights on and drained the battery a few times. I found the story about it moving itself pretty shocking, as it actually could have killed someone - surely if the gear lever is in Park the wheels should basically be locked?

Anyway, they did thank me for leaving the note, which was the advice given here, so thanks to everyone for their comments.
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      11-17-2007, 03:22 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer View Post
Ok, I left a note for my neighbour last night, saying that the headlights (xenons) were on for about 3 hours, before the car finally went into darkness about 9pm. My neighbour and her parents returned about midnight and obviously got the note, as Audi Emergency Rescue arrived early this morning and got it going.

However..... this is the scary part! ... was chatting to my neighbour this afternoon and it turns out her dad had an incident earlier in the day with it. I did notice a large chunk out of the rear bumper and a lot of scrape marks. It seems that when they were re-ordering the cars in the driveway, my neighbours dad (who owns the car) approached the car and unlocked it using the comfort access option (not sure what Audi calls it), but the car automatically started and went into reverse (even though the gear lever was in Park) and reversed back itself and hit a wall! The car has apparently had a new ECU but seems it has left its lights on and drained the battery a few times. I found the story about it moving itself pretty shocking, as it actually could have killed someone - surely if the gear lever is in Park the wheels should basically be locked?

Anyway, they did thank me for leaving the note, which was the advice given here, so thanks to everyone for their comments.
Eeek! I had an alfa once that had a mind of its own (often returned to car to find all windows open, usually when pissing it down and once in a very dodgy part of Glasgow!!).
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      11-17-2007, 06:51 PM   #17
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holy shit, started the engine and pulled off ?

Not doubting the story, but sounds like a lot of "safety" measures to get through, i.e. In gear, parking brake off, throttle applied etc.

I bet audi would be INCREDIBLY interested to hear of this...

Just image the court case...

Fandango - "no, m'lud, I had applied juditious levels of torque to the emergency parking brake before diactivating the vehicle and returning to the sweet embrace of the Miswah"

Fandango - "Yes, m'lud, I also find it astonishing in the extreme that the vehicle might have decided to "Drive itself at one hundred and thirty" of her majesty's miles per hour and per chance over take a fair few Patrons of the road trafic network..."

Fandango - "Tea, m'lud? why I serve the best and finest blend in the county of Essex... Oh you'd heard that had you... hmmm

SJ
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      11-18-2007, 03:41 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Serjames View Post
holy shit, started the engine and pulled off ?

Not doubting the story, but sounds like a lot of "safety" measures to get through, i.e. In gear, parking brake off, throttle applied etc.

I bet audi would be INCREDIBLY interested to hear of this...

SJ
I think they are going to get onto Audi first thing Monday morning. It does sound very odd behaviour, but on auto gearboxes is the gear lever a mechanical lever, or basically just a 'software' selector?.... I guess if the electronics on the car are acting up then anything is possible.

Liked the Fandango comments
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      11-18-2007, 03:46 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Serjames View Post
holy shit, started the engine and pulled off ?

Not doubting the story, but sounds like a lot of "safety" measures to get through, i.e. In gear, parking brake off, throttle applied etc.

I bet audi would be INCREDIBLY interested to hear of this...

Just image the court case...

Fandango - "no, m'lud, I had applied juditious levels of torque to the emergency parking brake before diactivating the vehicle and returning to the sweet embrace of the Miswah"

Fandango - "Yes, m'lud, I also find it astonishing in the extreme that the vehicle might have decided to "Drive itself at one hundred and thirty" of her majesty's miles per hour and per chance over take a fair few Patrons of the road trafic network..."

Fandango - "Tea, m'lud? why I serve the best and finest blend in the county of Essex... Oh you'd heard that had you... hmmm

SJ

Your a boy maye aint ya...
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      11-18-2007, 04:37 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer View Post
Ok, I left a note for my neighbour last night, saying that the headlights (xenons) were on for about 3 hours, before the car finally went into darkness about 9pm. My neighbour and her parents returned about midnight and obviously got the note, as Audi Emergency Rescue arrived early this morning and got it going.

However..... this is the scary part! ... was chatting to my neighbour this afternoon and it turns out her dad had an incident earlier in the day with it. I did notice a large chunk out of the rear bumper and a lot of scrape marks. It seems that when they were re-ordering the cars in the driveway, my neighbours dad (who owns the car) approached the car and unlocked it using the comfort access option (not sure what Audi calls it), but the car automatically started and went into reverse (even though the gear lever was in Park) and reversed back itself and hit a wall! The car has apparently had a new ECU but seems it has left its lights on and drained the battery a few times. I found the story about it moving itself pretty shocking, as it actually could have killed someone - surely if the gear lever is in Park the wheels should basically be locked?

Anyway, they did thank me for leaving the note, which was the advice given here, so thanks to everyone for their comments.
Audi almost lost it all in the US in the 80s with cases of "unintended acceleration". However back then I believe at least the cars had to be occupied and running!!! Lucky you didn't walk round the back to leave the note

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serjames View Post
holy shit, started the engine and pulled off ?

Not doubting the story, but sounds like a lot of "safety" measures to get through, i.e. In gear, parking brake off, throttle applied etc.

I bet audi would be INCREDIBLY interested to hear of this...

Just image the court case...

Fandango - "no, m'lud, I had applied juditious levels of torque to the emergency parking brake before diactivating the vehicle and returning to the sweet embrace of the Miswah"

Fandango - "Yes, m'lud, I also find it astonishing in the extreme that the vehicle might have decided to "Drive itself at one hundred and thirty" of her majesty's miles per hour and per chance over take a fair few Patrons of the road trafic network..."

Fandango - "Tea, m'lud? why I serve the best and finest blend in the county of Essex... Oh you'd heard that had you... hmmm

SJ
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