Subject:1993 Audi S4; Status: Still hangin' in there...

[UrSobsessed]

Finding a spare module would be a good way to figure if it's bad or not. If your car has the same module as a 94, then it should connect via the under hood connections. My 94 does. When I fixed my broken clock spring and needed to turn off the light, VAG-COM connected right up via the under hood connections.

[Wheeljack]

Update: Spare 4A0 959 655 module en route. That should tell me if I've got a module problem or a wiring problem to find.

[savagerocco]

They really hid those connectors, wrapped them in foam and tucked them under everything they could. As far as I know, all the 80/90 cars had separate diag connectors and I know my 91 200 had separate plugs too. I just haven't dug around the s4/6 enough to know for sure. I might have another module too. I stripped most of the modules and wires out of my donor s6.

[Wheeljack]

I did not fix the airbag fault yet, but I'm not too bothered by it ATM.

I tried a known good module which also did the same thing...The COM connections were verified to be in the engine bay.

While perusing the s2forum a few weeks ago, I ran across the likely problem. Apparently the airbag module itself can be fussy to communicate with and many people have problems using the cheapy USB VAG-COM cables and talking the that module, despite it working fine for all of the others. I'm pretty sure that is my problem with communications, but it likely still has a problem or a stored fault that needs to be reset. I may look into a different cable or a real serial version to try at some point.

But for now, I can live with that. If I pull the bulb, no one [else] would be the wiser...

[EDIGREG]

While perusing the s2forum a few weeks ago, I ran across the likely problem. Apparently the airbag module itself can be fussy to communicate with and many people have problems using the cheapy USB VAG-COM cables and talking the that module, despite it working fine for all of the others. I'm pretty sure that is my problem with communications, but it likely still has a problem or a stored fault that needs to be reset. I may look into a different cable or a real serial version to try at some point.

Yep - that is exactly my experience as well. I was only able to connect to the airbag module with a genuine Ross-Tech cable.

[Wheeljack]

Getting some nice accumulation today...over a foot here on the benches and 2+ feet up the canyon...wax those skis!

[my2000apb]

yay powpow

[nsimps]

Woot! Went snowmobiling today hope it's all here to stay.

[Dr.Strangelove]

Have you used the dye on the interior yet? I'm curious to see how it turned/turns out. I've got some over-spray that I sanded off the panels, but it's impossible to get it out of the grain. I used a bit of trim paint in a hard-to-see area, just to see what the texture is like after the sanding, and it looks good; but for long term use and abuse dye is key. Unfortunately, with so many variations of black, I don't know which colour will match best.

Do you have any insight here?

Thanks.

[ringbearer]

He sold it...

[Wheeljack]

Well, funny story about that..lol...

I took a deposit early on for the car, but while the buyer was having a tough time selling his B6 S4 Avant, I was driving the car more and more and really loving it. These really are remarkable vehicles when you're not behind in the maintenance cycle. Then they can be SOBs. So, I'm keeping it for the time being, and looking forward to having it over the summer as it is my only car with working AC.

As for the dye, I was really impressed with the product, but it was a shade darker than the interior...maybe due to age/fading, maybe not. At first I did spot application to drivers bolster and a few other minor problem areas, but when in full sunlight, I could notice the color difference. I ended up just going over all of the seat area with a light application with a foam brush and that seemed to really unify and get everything looking like new again. I'm very pleased with the results.





And another funny thing...we've gone out a few times in it and my GF always brings up how comfortable the seats are and how much better they are than what's in the 'newer' Audi's we've had or driven in. And 6! settings for seat heat front and rear??? Try to beat that!...Most cars are lucky to have 2. Her new PriusC (!!) seat heaters are either on or off...but at 50+mpg, who's arguing???

[nsimps]

Her new PriusC (!!) seat heaters are either on or off...but at 50+mpg, who's arguing???

I am :wink:

Glad you are hanging onto it for a while longer! I say you keep it until there's another Audi running in your garage... At that point it won't be too sad to see it go, just a little bit 8)

[Wheeljack]

As much as I like to make fun of them, I must say I enjoy the challenge of maximizing driving efficiency with it. By driving like a super grandpa, and downhill to some degree, I achieved my current high score cumulative trip mileage of 76.9mpg with it.

[Wheeljack]

And to keep up to date, here are a few pics of the 3 spoke steering wheel mod...

[Dr.Strangelove]

That's definitely acceptable. I love the S4 seats too, I think its the extended bottoms. It really makes you feel planted. I almost bought some similar seats from a 525is, but wasn't ready to work out fitment.

[PRA4WX]

I value the mileage. Buuut....it comes at such a cost. Ever driven a Prius?! ;-) I get 50mpg day in day out in city. Average right at 60mpg on the highway speedlimit driving, and even turned down as i have mine now, beat up on BMW 335's, SRT-8's (three flavors at this point not sure why i have had so many run-ins with them) and a GTO, yesterday, stop light running. It stops like you dropped anchor. Its nimble. It is really fun to drive. And it cost me VERY little to build (like less than the purchase price of a VR6 corrado). Mind you, mine is not a "nice" car in ANY way so it really is apples to oranges here.

I'm sure i did but, did i miss what product for dye you used?

[Hank]

Nice Chris. The nice thing about the leather dye is that it pretty much acts as a protection layer as well. I am convinced a guy could just dye the bolsters on a car every year and they would last forever.

Nice car man! Jelly!

[Wheeljack]

Haha...yeah I hear ya...I've driven it plenty. Aside from being slow, I think it is quite comfortable. But I have a soft spot for diesels too. My vanagon gets about 30mpg around town, and it is HEAVY! I've got some Audi TDI projects in the planning phase to come in after the URQ is finished up. Probably going to be a QSW or something of that sort. Or even a Vanagon. Who knows? I used to have an old beater '82 Rabbit diesel that got 50+ mpg. But like you said, apples to oranges as I don't think anyone outside myself wants to run around in one of those at this point. Mileage isn't all that important to me either, seeing as how in total I drive less than 3K miles/year.

When John Iroz was up a few weeks back to pick up my CNC, he even took it out for a spin...wonder what his thoughts on it are?...lol.

Oh, and here is the products I ended up with: http://www.leathermagic.com/catalog/lea ... onKit.html

[PRA4WX]

Haha...yeah I hear ya...I've driven it plenty. Aside from being slow, I think it is quite comfortable. But I have a soft spot for diesels too. My vanagon gets about 30mpg around town, and it is HEAVY! I've got some Audi TDI projects in the planning phase to come in after the URQ is finished up. Probably going to be a QSW or something of that sort. Or even a Vanagon. Who knows? I used to have an old beater '82 Rabbit diesel that got 50+ mpg. But like you said, apples to oranges as I don't think anyone outside myself wants to run around in one of those at this point. Mileage isn't all that important to me either, seeing as how in total I drive less than 3K miles/year.

When John Iroz was up a few weeks back to pick up my CNC, he even took it out for a spin...wonder what his thoughts on it are?...lol.

Oh, and here is the products I ended up with: http://www.leathermagic.com/catalog/lea ... onKit.html

Diesel vanagon, huh!? I'm jealous! I want to build a 1Z syncro vanagon so bad!

[ringbearer]

Glad you still have and enjoy it!
The sport wheel swap makes a big difference.

[Hank]

Yes, leather magic is what I have always used as well.

[Dr.Strangelove]

Is it a standard colour you went with or did you have them match it?

[Wheeljack]

Is it a standard colour you went with or did you have them match it?

I used their standard black. Close, but not perfect in direct sunlight, so I went over everything with it.