NefMoto

Hey, I need a little help here.

I have a 2001 A6 2.7T and I'm having what seems to be some electrical issues.
Here is a list of symptoms being displayed by the car. Some of which may or may not be related to the first issue...

1. Cigarette lighter fuse blows immediately upon inserting a new fuse.
    -I have removed the front and rear cigarette lighter sockets completely and still showing a direct short between the three wires that plug into the sockets.
2. Red display lights all around car (window switches, radio/climate buttons, vents, etc...) not working
3. Red "brake" indicator light lit up on cluster
    -I have tried manually pressing button that is attached to hand brake inside the center console and it doesn't seem to make a difference. (Brake fluid filled too)
4. Front passenger door being shown as open on LCD screen and dome light stays on.
    -Checked wiring going between body and door.
5. Oil temp gauge not moving.
    -Replaced sending unit in oil pan. (Not sure if this is even related, I haven't done a continuity check from the sending unit to the ECU yet.)

I tried swapping out the Comfort Control Module with a know good one and it didn't make the passenger door open indication go away or the dash lights light up...although I forgot to try inserting a new cigarette lighter fuse while the other CCM was installed. Cigarette lighter circuit have something to do with those lights?

I guess I'm really just looking for a common denominator here...a place to continue my search.

I have the Bentley, but the wiring diagrams aren't super detailed for stuff like this.

Nfi what is up with that, right now I'm praying mine doesn't do anything like that!

If I had to start guessing I would investigate the earths, as most Wierd electrical issues are caused by earths, although with your cigarette lighter short, I would suspect you've got some melted wiring somewhere - has this car always done this, or did it start blowing the fuse recently?if so, what did you do just before that? If you have a sniff around, can you smell burnt plastic?

With regards to wiring diagrams, get a copy of elsawin, from ebay or other places, or sign up to vags Erwin site and download wiring diagrams, it's like €5 for 1 hours access.

Thanks for the info...unfortunately I actually purchased the car like this...so not quite sure what led to it.

Does anyone know physically where the wire from the cigarette lighter fuse goes on its way to the cigarette lighter sockets? Very difficult to trace.

Well, I discovered that some of the wires going under the center console back the the rear cigarette lighter socket and such got crimped under the bracket that supports the armrest/console.

So, be aware of those wires if you are ever re-installing the center console...