Hi Honest John and Co,

I apologize in advance for this long email but I have tried to provide as much information as possible so as to get the right advice for my car.

I have a 15 year old Audi A4 1.9TDi SE (automatic tiptronic, 4 door saloon, B5 model, engine code AJM, 85KW, 115bhp, on a 2000 X plate with 100,000 miles on the clock, VIN= WAUZZZ8DZ1A052193, Model Designation 8D2 OFK 3526492) which has the following warning lights present on the dashboard:

1. Red Airbag warning light permanently on after ignition and whilst driving.

2. ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) warning light which stays on after ignition and whilst driving. Then on some days this light will not appear at all on the dashboard for the entire journey and on some days appear after braking at traffic lights and stay on for remainder of the journey.

3. ESP (Electronic Stability Program) warning light comes on at the same time as the ABS warning light and stays on after ignition and whilst driving. Then on some days this light will not appear at all on the dashboard during the entire journey and on some days appear after applying the brakes in traffic and then stay on for the remainder of the journey. No other warning lights appear when the ABS and ESP light comes on (except the Airbag warning light).

The VCDS (VAG COM) scan on the ABS Brakes identified fault code 65535 (Internal Control Module Memory Error 35-00). Other information from the VCDS scan on the ABS are as follows:

Component = ABS/ASR 5.3 Front D00

Coding = 00011

Part Number = 3BO 614 111

Label = 8EO 614 111 ASR.lbl

Shop # = WSC 06435

VCID = 53A565D9A194C3B983D-5140

I also have the same fault code 65535 (with 00-10 intermittent) for the Airbags from the VCDS scan. There are 4 airbags (1x front driver, 1x front passenger, 1x side air bag driver side and 1x side airbag front passenger).

The log of VCDS scan fault code 65535 on the Airbags sub-section states its intermittent (code 00-10) but the Airbag warning light is on permanently.

Other information obtained from the VCDS scan on the airbags is as follows:

Airbag label= 8DO-959-655-AI8.lbl

Airbag part no.= 8DO 959 655J

Coding = 01104

Shop #= WSC 06435

Component = Airbag front + Seite 1001

VCID = 3D71236137025C9459-517C

As a side note I ought to mention that before I had the Airbag and ABS light issue I used to get a "short circuit" every time I used to charge my mobile phone in the car via the cigarette lighter socket. As soon as the phone charger was connected and at some point I applied the brake pedal then there would be a single loud beep followed by a red warning light on the dashboard referring to the rear brake light bulb. The warning light on the dashboard would then stay on until the phone charger was removed.

On longer car journeys with repeated braking the rear brake light bulb would actually blow and need replacing. I changed the mobile phone charger several times but I still got the same issue as mentioned above. In the end I just stopped charging my mobile phone via the cigarette lighter socket. I wonder if this contributed to the ABS and perhaps even the Airbag fault codes?

I should also mention that I checked the ABS and ESP fuses in the fuse box (which was located at the end of the dashboard on the drivers side) and to my amazement I found the fuse slots at position 16 for Anti-lock brake system and ESP (5amps) missing as were the fuses at position 41 for Anti-lock brake system (hydraulic modulator/pump (25amps) and at fuse position 42 ESP (25amps). When I telephoned my local mechanic he said that I should not be worried about them missing from the fuse box as they are probably in another second fuse box but could not say where that was.

Is it possible that the missing fuses for the ABS and ESP are the cause of the VCDS fault codes for the ABS?

Also is it possible you could tell me where exactly is the location of second fuse box that contains the fuses for the ABS and ESP?

The other thing that has been troubling me is that the Airbag warning light came on in August 2014. When I checked my Audi Owners Manual and Audi Service Schedule I noticed that both manuals stated that the Airbag warning light will appear on the dashboard 14 years from the date of manufacture of the car (see attachment to this email). The car was manufactured August 2000. Audi recommend renewing the Airbag system at 14 years as part of the service schedule. Two Audi dealerships have quoted me between £3000 and £6000 to renew the Airbag system for my car.

Based on their costly estimates should I just consider scrapping my car altogether and cut my losses and not even consider trying to repair the ABS issue? Although a part of me loathes the idea of scrapping my car as I firmly believe in repairing and recycling of all goods for as long as economically possible and besides the car runs very smoothly and has given me trouble free motoring for 7 years.

I welcome any expert opinion and advice on the ABS and Airbag problems identifed from the VCDS fault codes.

Many thanks.