2021 Audi Q5/SQ5 Drive Select Menu Greyed Out TSB

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 90 21 94 2061989/2 to address a specific issue affecting certain 2021 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. This TSB, issued on March 4, 2021, supersedes a previous bulletin, Group 90 number 21-86, which was dated January 28, 2021. The bulletin provides instructions for technicians when the Audi Q5 drive select menu U111000 fault is encountered.

The primary concern is a greyed-out Drive Select menu within the MMI (Multi Media Interface) system. This condition is typically accompanied by a specific diagnostic trouble code (DTC) and an on-screen message, indicating a communication interruption within the vehicle's electronics.

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2021 Audi Q5 or SQ5 vehicles may notice that the Drive Select menu in their MMI display is greyed out and inaccessible. When this occurs, the infotainment screen will display the message: "The selected system is currently unavailable." This visual cue indicates an underlying system fault.

Fault Codes / DTCs

When the Audi Q5 drive select menu U111000 issue is present, technicians will find the following diagnostic trouble code stored as static in the information electronics 1 control module, identified as J794 (address word 005F):

• DTC U111000: This code signifies a "Function restriction due to communication interruption" and is typically accompanied by symptom code 7191.

Important Warnings

Audi explicitly states that replacing parts will not resolve this particular issue. The Technical Service Bulletin notes: "Parts replacement does not solve this issue. Claims for replaced parts will be subject to review." This means that owners should not attempt to replace components like the MMI unit or other control modules without proper diagnosis according to TSB 90 21 94 2061989/2, as such replacements will not fix the problem and may not be covered under warranty.

Repair Procedure Summary

If the symptoms and DTC U111000 are confirmed, the repair involves performing a specific replacement test plan for the Gateway control module, J533 (address word 0019). This procedure is guided by the diagnostic tool and requires specific selections to be made by the technician:

1. At the first prompt, which asks "What control module is currently installed?", the technician must select "2 - New control module". This step is crucial for correctly initiating the software update process.
2. At the second prompt, which asks "Does your ordering system/parts catalog (e.g. ETKA, special note, etc.) or one of the available Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) indicate a SVM code?", the technician must select "1 - No SVM code". This confirms that no specific SVM code is required for this particular update.
3. The technician will then follow any additional on-screen prompts provided by the diagnostic system to complete the procedure.
4. Once the process is complete, the vehicle must be allowed to enter a 10-minute sleep cycle. After this, the technician will re-check the operation. The Drive Select functions should now be restored, and the DTC U111000 can be cleared from the system memory.

Required Tools

To perform this repair, an authorized Audi service center will require specific diagnostic equipment:

• VAS 6160/VAS 6150: This is a VAS tester that must be running the current version of ODIS (Offboard Diagnostic Information System) software, specifically for Windows 10.

Warranty Information

This Technical Service Bulletin outlines specific warranty claim types and codes for authorized Audi dealerships:

• Claim Type: 110 (up to 48 Months/50,000 Miles) or G10 (for CPO Covered Vehicles – Verify Owner). If the vehicle is outside of any warranty, this TSB serves as informational guidance only.
• Service Number: 9035
• Damage Code: 0040
• Diagnostic Time: GFF 0150 0000 (Maximum 50 Time Units)
• Road Test (Prior to Service): No allowance (0 TU)
• Road Test (After Service): No allowance (0 TU)
• Claim Comment: As per TSB #2061989/2

All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual and are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.

NHTSA ID: 10190226