Audi A5 broken power window

randel

Hi,
Recently while lowering the driver side window on my car I heard a clatter from inside the door and the glass immediately closed back up. The window refuses to move up or down now even though I can hear the motor turning inside the door. I can manually push up and down the glass.
I brought the car to my Audi dealer and was told the window regulator needed replacing.
They put the car on the "audi computer" and told me there was a service bulletin recommending that both driver and passenger window regulators should be replaced. They say you cant just replace the broken one as the new regulator will not communicate with the original one on the passenger side.

Unfortunately my car is 14 months out of warranty and I have been quoted a 4 figure sum:eek::eek: by my dealer to replace both regulators.

My question is, does anybody know of someone who could repair the original regulator or replace it with a similar part or if I could source the part, would it be a difficult job to do a self repair?

Thanks.

langdang

randel wrote: »

They say you cant just replace the broken one as the new regulator will not communicate with the original one on the passenger side.
... 4 figure sum:eek::eek: ...

Now we know why so many Irish audi drivers prefer windy windows! Seriously, that is such bad design if this is the case, they have deliberately used the facilities of CANbus (or whatever the Audi equivalent is) just to ride people.

I can't see the practical need for half this "coding" (except for $$$ for your dealer!) - a given regulator model should be at a certain address on the bus in all instances where it is used. Why should you have to indoctrinate each component for each car?

Sorry randel, that was just a rant. Have just recently changed a window motor on 2 "turn of the century" cars and it was grand - no coding BS. At a guess I'd say you are looking at approx 350 for each regulator (OEM) but could be more.

mickdw

Ive an A5 and had to replace drivers window regulator as its cables went to bits.
This is a very common fault and audi should be covering it for you.
Mine was about 6 months out of warranty too when it went. I was given 3 different stories from Audi dealers.
1/ Both doors needed doing as cannot communicate with each other otherwise (Northern ireland dealer)
2/ Its fine to just replace the regulator in one door
3/ replace one door but replace control mdule with it and also door seal (all as a kit)

I eventually bought the kit with one regulator, door seal & control module (audi paid half)
It cost me €100 approx and I fitted it myself.
The regulator (in mine at least) has no electrical connections whatsoever - the motor has just a toothed connection to the regulator so I just swapped in it, didnt touch the control unit or the door seal and it is perfect. It is advisable to swap the door seal as audi said that this is a revised part and will prevent so much water getting at the regulator. the regulator is a revised part also but a direct fit.
Mine was a pretty early failure and I was not aware of how common the problem is. I understand they are doing these free now though warranty or not so fight them hard on this. I wouldnt have paid the €100 if I knew what I know now.

Not a bad job at all to do if you are anyway handy. It looks like a nightmare but all the broken stuff comes out and yu slip in the new one- Audi should fix it free though!

Big Nasty

I've heard this crap now so many times on even the most ordinary brands of late. Feck that - I'm neve buying anything newer than an '02! :mad:

randel

mickdw wrote: »

Ive an A5 and had to replace drivers window regulator as its cables went to bits.
This is a very common fault and audi should be covering it for you.
Mine was about 6 months out of warranty too when it went. I was given 3 different stories from Audi dealers.
1/ Both doors needed doing as cannot communicate with each other otherwise (Northern ireland dealer)
2/ Its fine to just replace the regulator in one door
3/ replace one door but replace control mdule with it and also door seal (all as a kit)

I eventually bought the kit with one regulator, door seal & control module (audi paid half)
It cost me €100 approx and I fitted it myself.
The regulator (in mine at least) has no electrical connections whatsoever - the motor has just a toothed connection to the regulator so I just swapped in it, didnt touch the control unit or the door seal and it is perfect. It is advisable to swap the door seal as audi said that this is a revised part and will prevent so much water getting at the regulator. the regulator is a revised part also but a direct fit.
Mine was a pretty early failure and I was not aware of how common the problem is. I understand they are doing these free now though warranty or not so fight them hard on this. I wouldnt have paid the €100 if I knew what I know now.

Not a bad job at all to do if you are anyway handy. It looks like a nightmare but all the broken stuff comes out and yu slip in the new one- Audi should fix it free though!

Many thanks for your reply mickdw - Its exactly what I wanted to hear. I think I might attempt a self repair. I can hear the motor whirring when I activate the button so I assume its just the mechanical part of the regulator that needs replacing.
The local dealer applied to Audi to see if they would at least cover part of the cost of the repair but the rejected it and the subsequent appeal (according to the dealer anyway).
I Think the cost of the new regulator is 215 euro + vat.
I may get back to you about the details of removing the door panel and the swapping of the regulator.
Thanks again.

langdang

Your laughing so I'd say if the electrics are still working - if it's just mechanical then there's no coding. My guesstimate was based on electrics + mechanics.

randel

langdang wrote: »

Your laughing so I'd say if the electrics are still working - if it's just mechanical then there's no coding. My guesstimate was based on electrics + mechanics.

Well Im hoping they are still working. The "technical bulletin" from Audi recommended replacing both regulators and motors to the newer versions.
But If the motor is still working, hopefully just swapping the regulator will do the job!

mickdw

The kit was €200 when I got it, half cost to me was 100.
I have a feeling the dealer is bull****ting you. Unless you have alot of mileage on the car, I cant see them turning down a goodwill gesture completely assuming its not an import you own.
Dont do too much pressing at the window switch while it broken as those broken cables can get wound up and could possibly damage the motor.
If you do it yourself, Im sure I would have a few tips.
Its certainly not a €1,000 bill anyway.

randel

Just to close this off, I fitted the new regulator myself (with the aid of hints and tips from mickdw). Everything working perfectly.
Saved myself over 800 euro by doing the job myself rather than taking it to the dealership.
Thanks.

Mr.David

VAG seem to have had problems with regulators for at least 10yrs now.....why hasnt it been rectified? Not exactly rocket science.

Audi should stump up.

Eugooglizer

Just browsing through threads on A5 window regulators. Mine is a 09 and the drivers side regulator went at the weekend, I got quoted €920 from my dealer, because I get my car serviced there and a mix up we had with the last service they're doing both for €500. Just wondering if it's a big job to do yourself if I bought a kit or any other advice you have on the issue, how it can cost €900 to replace a cable I'll never know!!

whomitconcerns

youd get a better response not dragging up a 3 year old thread...

mickdw

Eugooglizer wrote: »

Just browsing through threads on A5 window regulators. Mine is a 09 and the drivers side regulator went at the weekend, I got quoted €920 from my dealer, because I get my car serviced there and a mix up we had with the last service they're doing both for €500. Just wondering if it's a big job to do yourself if I bought a kit or any other advice you have on the issue, how it can cost €900 to replace a cable I'll never know!!

The kit comes with new control unit, new door seal and the regulator.
Last I heard, audi charges about 240 for the parts per door.
When mine failed before, audi were happy to sell just the part and knock off money for goodwill. When my second one failed, they eventually agreed to goodwill but only having the dealer fit the parts and that still meant it was costing silly money.
my advice - if 500 is best offer, see if you can find a used one on eBay. Fitting is not a big job.
There is an issue in that the improved part as now offered by audi behaves in a different manner if window is blocked when closing for any reason. The car therefore needs a new control unit when fitting the updated part. Because of this both windows need to be done together even though there is no electronics attached to the actual regulator.
You can fit them separately though but the anti choke function of the window will malfunction occasionally.
If you were to fit an original part number all will be 100 % by just replacing 1 side. 50 quid would buy a used once.