Audi AdBlue Countdown Timer Fault
When you purchase an Audi, you’re buying a vehicle with top performance, luxury quality and state-of-the-art technology. They’re not, however, immune to common issues such as AdBlue faults.
In this article, we delve into all you need to know about Audi AdBlue maintenance and how our Audi specialists at Somerset Vehicle Services can help you keep your vehicle in peak condition.
Our seasoned technicians utilise a comprehensive 15-step diagnostic procedure to diagnose any issues your Audi has, ensuring your vehicle receives the attention it needs at the right time.
We’re committed to delivering outstanding value and aim to solve all your vehicle’s issues during your first visit, effectively addressing any minor or significant concerns you might have. By bringing your car to us, you’re ensuring its performance, safety, efficiency and longevity.
Call Somerset Vehicle Services today for all your Audi AdBlue issues.
What is Audi Diesel AdBlue?
When Audi introduced its diesel engine to Europe with the Audi A6, it promised both performance and reliability.
Yet, managing emissions remained a significant challenge.
Over a decade ago, Audi tackled this environmental issue by integrating AdBlue into their diesel engine exhaust systems, marking a significant step in reducing the pollutants emitted by their vehicles.
AdBlue, a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), consists of a mixture of urea and deionised water.
This fluid is stored in a dedicated tank and is automatically injected into the vehicle’s exhaust system during operation. This process transforms nitrogen oxide, a harmful emission, into harmless nitrogen and water vapour, significantly reducing your vehicle’s environmental impact.
The introduction of AdBlue has been pivotal in enabling Audi vehicles to meet modern emissions standards, ensuring diesel vehicles (like yours) pass the annual MOT tests while reducing their eco-footprint.
Audi A6 Diesel AdBlue Case Study
Recently, at Somerset Vehicle Services, our Audi specialists encountered a situation with a client’s 2016 Audi A6, which was producing excessive emissions. Upon examination, our Audi experts pinpointed the issue to the AdBlue system’s countdown timer.
Here’s what our Audi specialists found…
The Faults
Our Audi technicians at Somerset Vehicle Services thoroughly examined the vehicle to get to the bottom of our client’s Audi A6 AdBlue issue.
Even after replenishing the AdBlue fluid, the dashboard still displayed the countdown timer and the dreaded AdBlue warning message. This led our technicians to believe there could be a potential fault within Audi’s Engine Management System (EMS) or the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system.
The client shared that they had previously sought assistance from the local Audi dealership, where a different component was suggested as the faulty part, followed by a software update.
Unfortunately, this approach did not rectify the problem, leaving our client out of pocket and with no solution to their vehicle’s problem.
Thankfully, they brought their vehicle to our Audi experts at Somerset Vehicle Services after discovering our positive testimonials and informative articles about our expertise with Audi vehicles. Their trust in us to solve the AdBlue issue with their Audi A6 was well-placed.
Our experts have extensive experience in addressing AdBlue-related problems and felt confident that they could solve the problem.
The Diagnostic Procedure
As soon as the Audi A6 arrived at Somerset Vehicle Services, our technician initiated our renowned 15-step diagnostic routine to address the vehicle’s faults.
The evaluation began with a test drive, a crucial step for identifying issues that might not be evident while the car is stationary. This hands-on approach allowed our technician to observe the car’s performance directly, pinpointing any problems as and when they were happening.
As your local independent Audi specialist, our experts have access to the same level of technical information as the main Audi dealerships, allowing us to provide dealership-level servicing at better value.
Our experts conducted a comprehensive diagnostic scan of the vehicle for any fault codes. This scan revealed several concerns related to the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. It was clear a deeper investigation would need to be performed.
Before delving into the SCR system, our technician examined the real-time data for exhaust gases before and after treatment by the SCR system. This involves analysing the exhaust gas from the engine, loaded with pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and comparing it with the output after it has passed through the SCR system.
Ideally, the client’s Audi SCR system should convert these pollutants into harmless nitrogen and water vapour.
Our Audi specialists noticed discrepancies in the data signals, prompting a review of the vehicle’s maintenance history from the previous service provider, however, this didn’t highlight any direct solutions to the current problem.
Further checks were made on the AdBlue fluid levels and quality, which were found to be within the optimal range. This is an important aspect, as using substandard AdBlue fluid can harm your engine’s performance.
Fortunately, this was not an issue for our client, who had consistently used the recommended AdBlue fluid.
Facing a scenario where the fluid quality was satisfactory, the software was updated, and no immediate faults were evident, our technicians agreed that the issue was hardware-related.
As you can see, our process is methodical and we always rule out all potential faults until the main culprit is revealed.
Upon inspecting the AdBlue pump, our technicians found that the pump was failing to produce the pressure needed for the effective distribution of the AdBlue within the Audi’s system.
Now that our expert technicians had found the cause of the problems, they were able to proceed to solve the issue.
Fixing the Problem
Before solving the AdBlue pump issue, our specialists called our client to inform them of our findings.
At Somerset Vehicle Services, you’re always kept in the know. We only begin working on your vehicle when you say so. You’re in complete control from start to finish.
Once we had the green light to proceed, our technicians sourced a genuine Audi AdBlue pump replacement and promptly replaced the part. The vehicle was then refilled with fresh AdBlue fluid and retested to ensure the pressure levels were within the correct range.
A comprehensive system scan showed no further errors, signifying that the vehicle’s system was back to optimal function.
We informed our client of the successful repair and they were overjoyed to hear that their Audi was ready to be driven home with a smile.
In Summary
Our Audi specialists used their knowledge, experience and technical know-how to tackle our client’s Audi A6’s AdBlue issue head-on. Despite the complexities encountered, their confidence and skills led them to identify and resolve the core problem during the first fix.
At Somerset Vehicle Services, our aim is to identify and solve your vehicle’s problems during your first visit, saving you from annoying repeat repairs.
We use our 15-step diagnostic process to get to the bottom of any issue your vehicle has, ensuring a precise and lasting fix.
Why consider going elsewhere for repairs when Somerset Vehicle Services offers you an experience on par with dealerships but with even greater value?
Contact us today to book your Audi repairs.
