2021 Audi Exhaust Flap Noise TSB 2060429/2

Audi has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2060429/2 to address concerns related to exhaust flap noise and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) in various 2021 models. This TSB supersedes an earlier bulletin, 20-83, and provides updated guidance for technicians.

The bulletin highlights that customers may notice noise emanating from the exhaust flaps, or technicians might discover related fault codes during routine inspections or diagnostic work. These issues are typically sporadic and often go unnoticed by the owner, only appearing during workshop visits.

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2021 Audi vehicles may experience one primary symptom related to this issue: noise from the exhaust flap. However, in many cases, owners may not notice any symptoms at all. The underlying problem, such as the Audi e-tron exhaust flap noise, is often identified by technicians during pre-delivery inspections (PDI) or other diagnostic procedures.

Fault Codes / DTCs

When diagnosing this issue, technicians may find the following diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the Engine Control Module (ECM), specifically J623 (address word 0001). These codes are often sporadic:

Code	Description	Module
P14AC00	Exhaust flap control module 2, mechanical fault	ECM J623
P14AB00	Exhaust flap control module, mechanical fault	ECM J623
P047500	Exhaust flap, electric fault	ECM J623
P047700	Exhaust flap, short circuit to ground	ECM J623
P049F00	Exhaust flap 2 electric fault	ECM J623

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

According to Audi, these DTCs are uncommon and can occur under specific ambient conditions. The root cause is typically a low voltage event that happens during the initialization of the exhaust flap control motor. This condition often results in the fault codes being stored without the customer ever noticing any operational issues or the Audi e-tron exhaust flap noise.

Repair Procedure Summary

The TSB emphasizes that replacing parts is generally not the solution for these sporadic DTCs or exhaust flap noise. The primary repair involves a thorough diagnostic process using the Guided Fault Finding (GFF) system. Technicians must first ensure that the concern is not caused by a defective component, such as a damaged cable or an incorrectly fitted connector. Once the vehicle's standard condition is verified, the stored DTCs can be cleared from the ECM. After clearing the codes, the vehicle is returned to the customer.

Required Tools or Parts

For proper diagnosis and resolution of this issue, technicians will need specific tools:

• VAS 6160/VAS 6150: A VAS tester equipped with the current version of ODIS (Windows 10).

It is important to note that parts replacement is explicitly stated as not resolving this issue. Any claims submitted for replaced parts will be subject to review by Audi Warranty.

Owner Action

If you own a 2021 Audi model and notice any unusual noise from the exhaust flaps, or if a technician identifies any of the DTCs listed (P14AC00, P14AB00, P047500, P047700, P049F00) during a service visit, your vehicle may be affected by this TSB. Since parts replacement is not the recommended fix, and the issue often stems from a sporadic low voltage condition, the primary action is a diagnostic check and clearing of fault codes by an authorized Audi service center. This repair is typically covered under warranty for up to 48 months or 50,000 miles, or under CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) warranty for eligible vehicles.

Source: NHTSA ID 10185651