NefMoto

Hello guys,

My name is Igor, I am new here and I need some help. Though I understand a lot about cars, I am far from understanding 20% of what you already understand about ECUs.
I live in Brazil and here the gasoline contains anything between 22 and 30% anhydrous alcohol, so, Audi adapted the cars to run with our very bad, low octane, gasoline/acohol mixture. The only difference I noticed up to now, is that ECU adaptation channel #10 was set to 179, instead of the default 128. Value is locked and can't be changed through VCDS.
My MIL (CEL) light is deactivated. I checked wiring, found no issues. Light never turns on when ignition is turned on, but it turns on during output tests in VCDS. Not really a big issue as I own a fully registered VCDS cable, but I would like to have an operational MIL. Even with the thrown O2 codes, my MIL never lights up.
MIL and emissions testing were not mandatory in Brazil. In fact in my city, they are not performed.
Though I still have a lean code on both O2 sensors, I still have the car set as passed. The codes are visible under engine VCDS module, but no DTCs are shown in OBD-II page.
I have already asked for a bin file to compare to mine, but the 2.4 V6 APS engine is not available in the USA, so I think no one else has it in the forum.
I think it has something to do with emissions testing. Probably done by Audi as there were no requirements for MIL and autotest in Brazil back in 2001. I have already seen other A4s in the same situation here, and I doubt anyone here knows how to disable the MIL.
I already have the 1024kb bin file I extracted from my ECU. And after performing a checksum test, it returned 32 errors. Me7sum was unable to correct one of them. Except for the deactivated light, car runs almost 100% fine (as I still have a small vaccum leak). My cluster also works perfectly, except for the MIL, including the FIS. I had the car for more than one year without getting any codes.
My car is stock and will remain stock, so I would like to have the MIL operating as it should.
If anyone can analyze the file for me and check if my MIL (CEL) was disabled inside the ECU software, please tell me.

Other info:
2001 B5.5 Audi A4 2.4 V6 30v Tiptronic
ECU: ME7.1 3B0907552AD

Hello again,

After changing a brake booster check valve, the adaptation channel #10 returned to 128 (default) by itself after clearing the codes. The check valve seemed ok when testing out of the car, but I already had the new one in hand... I am still waiting for the new TBI gasket to arrive as mine is damaged. Anyway, now car is running almost 100% perfectly and no lean codes were thrown for 4 days.
This brings me again here to ask for help, as the adaptation to use Brazillian gasoline/alcohol mixture was not done in adaptation#10 as I thought it was. So, if I just import a new ECU, I will probably face a lot of issues due to the non-standard fuel used in Brazil. So, it would be better if my own file was corrected.
I tried looking the posts and solve the issue by myself, but I am far from being able to do that.
Does the main flash (1024kb) contain information like VIN, SKC and etc, or all of this keep stored in 95040? Should I post it here?
By the way, I would like to say thanks to Jacks, as he helped me to retrieve my bin.
Can someone help me, please? I am almost sure that someone performed a full emissions delete in my car, and I would like to reverse it. If I disconnect a O2 sensor, the codes are thrown in VCDS engine module, but no DTCs appear in OBDII page, also in the OBDII page the MIL status is always off, even with the sensor disconnected. Car is set as passed no mather how many errors I could force... So I think the issue is indeed inside the ECU software.
If an emissions delete was done, I think it was done by the manufacturer, as there were no autotest requirements in Brazil; besides, even the best technicians here don´t know how to do it.

Regards,
Igor,

Hi again,

Well, ANDR posted an A6 2.4L main eeprom file and I compared it with Tuner Pro and it is exactly the same as mine (though mine is an A4 2.4L). Thanks again ANDR!
Does anybody know if the CEL be deactivated inside the cluster software or inside the 95040 immo software? Or maybe I have a faulty cluster or ECU?
I still think it is a software issue as  my car passes the readiness tests, no matter what errors are recorded, besides no DTCs are thrown inside the VCDS OBD2 page and MIL is always set as off in OBD2 page, even with thrown O2 codes in the engine module.
Reminder. CEL turns on during VCDS output tests.
Seems that everybody perform the emissions delete inside the main eeprom. So I am totally lost.

Regards,
Igor,

You could try flashing a north American 2.8 file just to see if the engine light comes on. I wouldn't drive like that though.

Hello ddillenger,

Thanks for your reply. Sometime ago you mentioned that the CEL could be deactivated inside the ECU software. You meant the 1024kb file, correct? Do you know any other way mine could have been deactivated? Inside 95040 or cluster bins? Adaptation channels?
The file posted here in the forum is exactly as mine, so my issue is probably anything else, as I don´t think both are deactivated. A friend of mine found an A4 2.4 and hopefully he has the same ECU as mine. The owner is traveling, so I will talk to him when he comes back to see if I can read his eeprom (of course, only in the case that his CEL is working...).

Regards,
Thanks again!
Igor,

I'm not sure. I know in ESKONF there are bit pairs for the check engine light, but whether these just remove diagnosis (I've never seen CEL diagnosis) or turn it off completely are beyond me.

Is your file 1024kb?

Yes it is 1024kb. I have attached it.
Mine is totally deactivated. It never turns on when I turn the ignition on. The only way I ever saw it lit was using VCDS output tests.
As I said before, the MIL appears as off in the OBD2 page and no DTCs are thrown in OBD2 page, even if codes are thrown and can be read in the VCDS engine module. So, I still think the issue is in the ECU, not the cluster. But I am not an expert, so I am not sure.
I think the xdf definition are not accurate for this ECU, or maybe I am not doing the right way...

Hello,

Seems that someone performed an emissions delete in my car...
Things all appear as unsuportted in the OBD2 VCDS page.

Flash this file and report back.

Hi,

Thanks a lot!
Before trying the flash, I have a few questions.
The Bosch hardware number is different. Should I be able to start the car?

Also, me7check found one error:

Contents of ECUID data table:
- 'HW_MAN004'

Is that a problem?

Thanks again,
Igor,

The file is a 2001 Audi A6 2.4 file. It should be compatible with your car, and the codeword block is intact, so all emissions should come back online.

I would flash it, and see what happens.

Hello ddilenger,

Thanks!
Well, the good news is that the CEL worked for the first time! Turned the ignition on, the CEL turned on and stayed on until I started the car. The CEL didn't come on with the codes thrown (but I just started the car, didn't drive it)
But several codes were immediatelly thrown in the engine module. They are probably caused by components that are not present... The CEL didn't turn on with the below codes (but I didn't drive the car with the new software - returned to the old "emisssions deleted" one to avoid issues while driving.
Also, now the car was set as "failed or not completed" in the emissions test. (as it should after clearing the codes)
Is it easier to modify the file you sent or my own file? Could you do that for me, please?

Below are the codes, with comments.
6 Faults Found:

18320 - Pressure Sensor for Brake Boost (G294) (does not have auxiliary electrical vaccum pump, never saw a pressure switch)
            P1912 - 35-00 - Short to Plus
17841 - Secondary Air Pump Relay (J299) (probably not equipped)
            P1433 - 35-00 - Open Circuit
17840 - Secondary Air Injection Solenoid Valve (N112) (probably not equipped)
            P1432 - 35-00 - Open Circuit
17530 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor Heating; B2 S2 (My A4 only has pre-cat O2 sensors)
            P1122 - 35-00 - Open Circuit
17526 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor Heating; B1 S2 (My A4 only has pre-cat O2 sensors)
            P1118 - 35-00 - Open Circuit
17837 - Circuit for Brake Vacuum Pump (does not have auxiliary electrical vaccum pump)
            P1429 - 35-00 - Open Circuit

There's also the one found by ME7check
Contents of ECUID data table:
- 'HW_MAN004'

Why do you keep saying there is one found by ME7Check? HW_004 is not an error, it's a characteristic of the flash and irrelevant. Please stop talking about it.

Try this. Tell me if the engine light continues to work, or goes back out.

Hi Igor

I´m from Brazil too (you can call me or send PM in portuguese to make things more clear to us), but your file is OK, this new one you flashed form ddllinger only ligth CEL because there was some missing parts for that file configuration

Put your file back and unplug one injector or MAF and you´ll see the MIL going ON

Hi Overspeed,

I had already done that test. Pulled MAF, both oxygen sensors, and a couple more and the light would never go on with the original BIN. In fact I drove around two months with lean codes on O2 sensors and the malfunction in circuit code and the light never came on. It wouldn't go on when I switched the ignition on as it should also. Also tried reloading the bin today. No results.
Do you own a 2.4 also? If so, could you double check if your CEL is deactivated or not?
You can PM in portuguese in case it is easier for you also.

Hi ddilenger,

Thanks again. Sorry if I made a dumb question. I didn't  think it was supposed to be that way. I apologize for that.
Now, if I turn off an oxygen sensor, it takes sometime, but after a few minutes the CEL goes on. It also lights up when ignition is turned on now, stays on and goes off after engine starts.
I also noticed that the VCDS LED blinks between green and red when scanning the car. It didn't with the old BIN, but I guess that is the way it should be, correct?
I think I am almost solving my issue. I loaded the new file, but still getting a few codes due to non present items. Could you still help me with that? Also, some of the readiness tests are marked as failed or incomplete now, even after driving about 8km. Don't know if that is due to the car not completing the test (yet), or due to still having some items in the ECU that are not physically present.

Regards,

18320 - Pressure Sensor for Brake Boost (G294)
            P1912 - 35-00 - Short to Plus
16524 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor B1 S2
            P0140 - 35-00 - No Activity
16544 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor B2 S2
            P0160 - 35-00 - No Activity

Hello again ddilenger,

Just to give you some additional information to the previous post, in case you need. Probably you already know most or all of them, but I will give as much information as I can.
Driving the car I noticed a few hickups during accelerations and mid RPMs. I guess it can be due to the ECU "thinking" there are O2 sensors after the catalyst (or maybe just due to the typical bad gasoline/alcohol mixture). The hickup is very similar to the ones I was having with the original BIN and got (real) lean codes.
Just after clearing the codes, the O2 readings go to around 12%, this happened with the original BIN also, and it gets near 0 after driving. Probably the ECU gets adapted to the "cocktail" used in Brazil.
I thought the idle was smoother.
After driving a lot today, the CEL finally came on due to the missing O2 sensors after the catalyst (not installed by Audi in my car). The codes were thrown yesterday, but the CEL came on after a few engine starts (normal, I think), and it now stays on as I didn't clear the codes. So the CEL is working as it should and it just came on because the ECU "thinks" my car has O2 sensors after catalyst.
Also, now the O2 DTCs appear in the OBD2 page as they should. The brake boost one does not appear though (not emissions related).
Sometime ago, I asked Ross-tech about my original ECU coding and they replied that my car is "European Union without secondary air induction (MVEG II)" The software coding is still there: 04551. So, I think my car does not have the "Secondary air system monitoring".
I don't think it has the heated catalysts also. There is no wiring in them.
I never located the EGR valve in this car, but I saw the part in Ebay and seems to be vacuum operated, so I guess it is not monitored anyway.

The readiness status didn't change since yesterday:
Mode 01 - PID 01 : Readiness  --  Address 10

Number of DTCs stored: 2  --  MIL Status: MIL ON
Misfire monitoring:  Passed
Fuel System:  Passed
Comprehensive Components:  Passed
Catalyst monitoring:  Failed or Incomplete
Heated catalyst monitoring: Not installed.
Evaporative system monitoring:  Passed
Secondary air system monitoring:  Failed or Incomplete
A/C system refrigerant monitoring: Not installed.
Oxygen sensor monitoring:  Failed or Incomplete
Oxygen sensor heater monitoring:  Failed or Incomplete
Exhaust Gas Recirculation: Not installed.

Thanks again a lot! Thanks to you, I am very close to solving that issue!
Regards,

I will try to take a look shortly, digging through the codewords is a pain. How soon after you flash do the 02 codes appear? If they come up immediately it won't be TOO bad. Still the same 3 codes?

Hello,

I believe when you say it is a pain. I tried to do that and got confused from start to end.
From what I researched, my APS engine was not equipped with the same features as some newer 2.4 engines. But I think getting a working "ready" file will be rare as this engine is not available in the USA.

I guess I have bad news... I cleared the codes to double check, and:
From the original 6 codes that appeared immediatelly, only one remained after you modified the BIN. This one still appears immediatelly:
18320 - Pressure Sensor for Brake Boost (G294)
            P1912 - 35-00 - Short to Plus

The other two take some time to appear. I have to drive the car and it appears after a few miles. The CEL lights after several miles though:
16524 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor B1 S2
            P0140 - 35-00 - No Activity
16544 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor B2 S2
            P0160 - 35-00 - No Activity

Thanks again for helping.
Igor

As I said before, you file is 100% OEM, untouched in any part... I´ve compared to another I have here.

For some reasons car makers deactive some kind of DTC from going MIL on, for example Lambda probes usually don´t make CEL on, except when they are post catalist.

Temperature sensors are another kind of sensor that can be dead and don´t make CEL going on.


MAF usually makes CEL going ON, but ECU take some time to make sure it´s really defective

With his file his light doesn't self test with key on either.

Hi Overspeed,

I believe you - my file is 100% OEM.
I can´t be sure why, but I suppose Audi did the "emissions delete" for countries with lenient emissions requirements. Specially in Brazil with the gasoline/ethanol mixture. Many customers were probably complaining about a lit CEL and they "solved" the issue. Deactivated the CEL forever. I saw at least 3 A4s with the same situation here. Including two 2002 3.0 30v.
According to the OBDII requirements, the CEL should light up with all emissions related issues, includind pre-cat O2 sensors. Brazil is still leninent. Back in 2001 the emissions law was extremely lenient and didn´t require the CEL.
Mine never worked. Even with several codes on it and engine stumbling and stalling. It must do the autotest ddilenger mentioned also. Mine never did. Did yours? Was your file retrieved from a Brazillian A4?

Hi ddilenger,

Not sure if this helps or not:
3B0907552L / ECU for 99-00 2.4 APS engines (don´t know the difference to mine)
3B0907552AD / ECU for early 01 2.4 APS engines (mine - DBW and ASR, no ESP)
3B0907552AN - replaced by 3B0997553X / ECU for late 01 (until 05 if I am not mistaken) with additional emissions equipment 2.4 APS engine (the one you´re working on).

Thanks!
Igor,

This should sort out the no rear 02's, and the brake code while keeping the engine light active.

:)

Hello Daz,

I am still testing the new file, but seems that this file is perfect!

The CEL turns on when ignition is turned on, stays on, and goes off after engine starts.
The CEL goes on if an O2 sensor is disconnected. It takes some time after the fault is thrown but it turns on as it should.
The emissions test appear with some items as failed after resetting the codes, but it appears as passed after some miles.

Thanks, thanks, thanks!
Igor,

Glad to hear it. Good luck.

Just had a read thtough this and credit to you dillenger. Excellent work.

Yes, Daz did an awesome job!
Car runs fine, specially after some adjustments on the adaptation channels to compensate for the low octane gasoline/alcohol mixture used in Brazil.
No more codes and CEL is working as it should.

Thanks again!

Hi guys,

I have an extra question, but didn't think a new thread was needed for this.
I observed that my ECU doesn't have any kind of rubber seal, nor silicon glue.
It is inside a box with rubber seal and there were no signs of water or humidity in the ECU.
I found some pics in the internet and seems that some modules have the seal.
Is mine missing the seal? Can I trust the ECU box seal?

Audi A4 B5.5 2.4 30v 2001 / Bosch ME7.1 (more details at the beggining of this post).

Regards,
Igor,

I think as long as your drains aren't clogged (right by the battery) you won't have an issue.. Just remember to set the E brake when parked on the boat launch..

Hi Jacks!

I use another car at the boat ramp. But I will try not to wash the entire car inside the river!

Regards!