I have a 1999 Audi A4 2.8L V6 Quattro. A few days ago the alarm system went off in the middle of the night for no reason and since then a few things don't work right. When I press the button on the key to open the door(s), the lights on the car blink like they normally do but the doors don't open. and the same thing with closing the doors, the button on the key doesn't work. also, the button on the driver's door that locks the doors from inside doesn't work. I have to close all the doors from inside manually and then lock the driver's door with the key and when i do that the red blinking light comes on and starts blinking as if everything works fine but i'm not sure if the alarm system works. actually, the other day i locked the drivers door with the key and the red light started blinking but then i realized that i had left the passenger side door open so i opened the door but the alarm did not go off...
does anyone have any idea what's going on with my car and how it can be fixed and how much it will cost to fix this problem. i don't want to take it to the dealership because they charge way too much and i don't know a good car electric so i would appreciate your input. thanks!
Update:Kevin J: Thanks for the detailed response. To answer your question - no, none of the locks go up or down with neither the remote nor the buttons inside the car. When i press the remote to lock or unlock the doors just the lights blink (even the sound does not work) and nothing happens. So i lock all the doors from inside manually and then lock the driver's door with the key and that's when the alarm light starts blinking.
So there is no way I can buy a replacement part or something instead of taking it to the dealer? I guess if that's my only option i will take it to the dealer but we all know they overcharge big time. Thanks again for your response.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
The alarm has a time delay that wont allow for the alarm to go off for around 30 sec after locking it. There probably isn't an issue with that part of your problem. Do all the locks go down or up with any buttons or when using your key manually? If not, then you probably have an issue with the vacuum system. Your locks run off of vacuum that is operated by the central locking module. I believe this is located in the trunk on the right side behind the trim. It is a very common concern to see these vacuum pumps fail. If the parking lights are blinking with the remote then you most likely have a good working module. Its sending the information required to lock the cars but the pump is failing to activate. Your best bet is to have it looked into by a dealer. These systems have fault finding capabilities that allow a person to access pertinent information to help with the diagnosis. Usually only dealers have this capabilities.
EDIT: If you wanted me to guess at the bad part, then I would say its the vacuum pump for the central locking system. There is a possibility that there is a break in the line somewhere causing a vacuum leak. You can test this by removing the right rear trunk lining (I think, although it may be under the rear seat bench. This just pulls straight up so I would start there). You can remove one of the vacuum lines and apply vacuum to the line and see if the locks operate. If they do then the pump is shot. Also when you gain access to the pump, you can operate the locks and see if the pump makes noise. If not then the pump is bad. I believe that the pump and the module is a complete unit so it may be a bit pricey. Try looking for after market instead of going to the dealer. Hope this helps!