2021 Audi Driver Assist Malfunction DTC B200FF9

Owners of certain 2021 Audi vehicles, including the e-tron, may experience various malfunctions with their driver assist systems, often accompanied by Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B200FF9. Audi has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2063502/5 to provide a software update solution for these issues. This update aims to optimize multiple driver assist features and restore proper functionality.

Symptoms

Owners may notice one or more of the following symptoms related to driver assist system malfunctions:

• Lane Change Assist/Intersection Assist: The system may sporadically stop working, and one of these messages might appear in the instrument cluster:
  • "Intersection assist: fault. Please contact service."
  • "Side assist and exit warning system: fault. Please contact service.”
  • "Rear cross-traffic assist: fault. Please contact service."
  • "Audi pre sense: fault. Please contact service.”
• Traffic Sign Recognition: Speed limit settings based on traffic signs are not permanently stored and are lost with every ignition cycle.
• Adaptive Cruise Assist (ACA): For vehicles equipped with steel suspension, the ACA system may disengage or lose calibration when towing a trailer or using a bike rack.

Fault Codes / DTCs

Technicians may find the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) stored in the vehicle's control modules:

• DTC B200FF9 (Internal malfunction) with various symptom codes, including 1311089, 1311057, 1311058, 1311059, and 1311060.

This Audi e-tron DTC B200FF9 may be found in the front corner radar control modules (J1088/J1089) or the lane change assist control modules (J769/J770). Other customer concerns mentioned above may occur without a DTC being stored.

Important Warnings for Owners

Audi has provided several critical warnings that owners should be aware of:

• This TSB does not apply if DTC B200FF9 is stored in the driver assist systems control module, J1121 (address word 00A5). For that specific condition, refer to PSS 2061489: PSS 90 Pre sense malfunction/driver assist systems sporadically inop, DTC B200FF9.
• All outstanding campaigns must be completed before this software update is performed.
• If any warning messages are displayed in the instrument cluster, they must be addressed before updating the vehicle. Running the update with active instrument cluster warning messages may permanently damage (brick) the driver assist control module, J1211.
• Federal law requires that the airbag's Event Data Recorder (EDR) be backed up prior to running this update. This is only required for MY20 Audi e-tron quattro and Audi e-tron Sportback models.
• Certain customer personalization settings might be reset to factory settings after this update.
• Audi of America and Audi AG are not liable for any third-party modifications, undocumented retrofits, or non-genuine accessories that might be rendered inoperable by this update.

Technical Background

This Technical Service Bulletin addresses the need for software optimization across multiple driver assist features. The update impacts several control modules, including the driver assist systems control module (J1121), adaptive cruise control module (J428), lane change assist control modules (J769/J770), front left/right radar sensor control modules for object detection (J1088/J1089), control module for laser distance control (J1122), and the airbag control module (J234). The new software aims to improve the reliability and functionality of these systems.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair involves a software update using the ODIS Tester and specific SVM codes. The process generally takes 60-120 minutes, including 50-110 minutes for the software update itself and 10 minutes for the SVM work.

1. Preparation: Ensure all outstanding campaigns are completed and any active instrument cluster warning messages are resolved to prevent damage to the driver assist control module J1211. For MY20 Audi e-tron quattro and Sportback, back up the Event Data Recorder (EDR) as required by federal law.
2. Module Identification: Determine the system designation of the driver assist systems control module (J1121) via ODIS to identify the correct update medium (SD Card or USB-C drive).
3. Peripheral Control Module Update: Update the peripheral control modules using SVM code FASISKD5A001. This step takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
4. Flash Context Exit: Exit the flash context in ODIS before proceeding to the next steps.
5. zFAS Application Software Update: Depending on the zFAS variant (A or B/C), insert the appropriate SD Card (4N0906961AR) or USB-C drive (4N1906961). Then, update the zFAS application software using SVM code FASISKD5A002. This update takes about 30 minutes.
6. Bus Sleep Cycle: After the update, allow the vehicle to perform a bus sleep cycle. This involves exiting the flash context, switching off the ignition, removing diagnostic tools, closing and locking the vehicle, and waiting approximately six minutes without handling the vehicle.

It is crucial to perform the update via ODIS and not through the red engineering menu unless specifically approved by Audi Technical Assistance Center (TAC).

Required Tools or Parts

To perform this software update, technicians will need:

• ODIS Tester
• SVM code
• For MY20 Audi e-tron quattro and Audi e-tron Sportback (zFAS B/C): SD Card Part Number 4N0906961AR
• For other affected vehicles (zFAS B/C): USB-C drive Part Number 4N1906961

Warranty Information

This software update is covered under warranty for up to 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. For Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, the claim type is G10. All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual.

Other Relevant Bulletins

Several other Technical Service Bulletins may be necessary or provide additional information for this procedure:

• TSB 2011732: 00 Software Version Management (SVM), operating instructions.
• TSB 2056558: 91 MIB2+ Software Update Instructions.
• TSB 2047812: 00 SD Creator: how to set up and use the SD Creator for obtaining vehicle software updates via the MirrorServer.
• TSB 2060523: 91 MIB3 Software Update Instructions.
• TSB 2062601: 90 DTC U110100 is stored in the driver assistance systems control module.

Source: NHTSA TSB ID 10211913