2025 Audi Q5 Door Cannot Be Opened From Outside TSB 2079914/1

Symptoms: Door Cannot Be Opened From Outside

Owners of 2025 Audi Q5, Q5 Sportback, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, Q6 e-tron, Q6 Sportback e-tron, SQ6 e-tron, and SQ6 Sportback e-tron models may experience a specific issue where one of the vehicle's doors cannot be opened intermittently from the outside. A key characteristic of this problem is that the affected door can always be opened from the inside, and all other doors on the vehicle operate normally. Furthermore, once the interior door handle of the problematic door has been pulled out, the door can typically be opened again from the outside. This condition specifically describes the 2025 Audi Q5 door cannot be opened from outside.

Important Warnings for Owners and Technicians

Audi has identified several crucial points regarding this issue. For vehicles equipped with a convenience key, it is important to note that incorrect operation can occur if the sensor on the exterior door handle is touched at the same time as opening the door, for example, with a thumb. This action can inadvertently cause the vehicle to lock again. This scenario is particularly highlighted for the Q6 e-tron models.

Technicians are explicitly warned that replacing parts or attempting repairs without a thorough and correct diagnosis will not resolve the underlying problem. Such unjustified work or replacement parts will be charged back, and invoicing under warranty will not be permitted. If the customer's complaint cannot be reproduced during the diagnostic process, the repair should be postponed until the condition can be reliably replicated.

Fault Codes / Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)

When diagnosing the issue of a 2025 Audi Q5 door cannot be opened from outside, the vehicle's diagnostic system may log a specific event memory entry. This entry indicates a potential problem with the central locking system. The relevant fault code is:

• B122D29 - "Lock unit for central locking - implausible signal - passive/intermittent"

This DTC suggests a software or hardware anomaly within the door control unit or the door lock mechanism itself. The presence or absence of this code, along with the specific part version of the door lock, guides the diagnostic and repair process.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

Diagnosing why a 2025 Audi Q5 door cannot be opened from outside begins with reproducing the customer's complaint. The core issue is identified as a software and/or hardware problem within the door control unit or the door lock.

The diagnostic pathway is determined by two primary factors: whether the DTC B122D29 is present in the event memory and the specific part version of the door lock installed in the faulty door.

Checking Door Lock Part Version

Technicians must first check the part version of the door lock without physically removing the component. This visual inspection helps categorize the door lock and directs subsequent diagnostic steps. The TSB refers to part versions such as "08S or higher" and "07S or lower."

Diagnostic Steps with DTC B122D29 Present

If the DTC B122D29 is logged in the event memory, the next step depends on the door lock's part version:

• If the part version is "07S or lower": A resistance measurement is required.
• If the part version is "08S or higher": And the issue can be reproduced when the door is locked/unlocked, specific check procedures for door locks are followed, typically involving 10 labor time units (TU) per door (Service Numbers 5717 0299 for front, 5817 0299 for rear).

Resistance Measurement Procedure

For vehicles with a door lock part version of "07S or lower" and the DTC B122D29 is present, technicians must perform a resistance measurement. This involves using a multimeter to measure the resistance between pin 2 and pin 4 on the installed door lock.

To ensure an accurate measurement, the door lock must first be placed into "temporary crash redundancy mode" (TCR). This is achieved by carefully removing the electrical connector from the lock and then firmly pulling the interior door handle twice.

The expected resistance values are critical for determining the next course of action:

• Temporary crash redundancy (TCR) (without operating door handles): The expected value is 1000 ohms. If the measured value is not 1000 ohms, the interior door handle should be pulled twice again to the stop, and the measurement repeated. A reading of 1000 ohms indicates that the lock is correctly in TCR mode and can only be opened mechanically.
• Switch for interior door handle (IDH) + TCR (operating interior door handle only): The expected value is 382 ohms.

For vehicles equipped with curved door handles, such as the Q6 e-tron and Q5 type GU (with PR# 7AA), additional specific measurements apply:

• Exterior door handle (EDH) + TCR (operating exterior door handle only): The expected value is 212 ohms.
• IDH + EDH + TCR (operating interior and exterior door handles simultaneously): The expected value is 158 ohms.

A measurement tolerance of +/- 1% is considered acceptable for all these values.

Interpreting Measurement Results

• If the measured results deviate from the specified values (NOK): The affected door lock should be replaced.
• If the measured results correspond to the expected values (OK): The technician should then check the lock wiring according to Guided Fault Finding procedures. If the wiring is confirmed to be in good condition, the door control unit of the faulty door should be replaced.

Diagnostic Steps Without DTC B122D29 Present

If the DTC B122D29 is not logged in the event memory, the diagnostic approach is as follows:

• If the complaint can be reproduced: The technician must check whether the complaint also occurs when the vehicle is unlocked.
  • If the issue occurs when the vehicle is unlocked, the door control unit on the faulty door should be replaced.
  • If the issue does not occur when unlocked, the repair should be postponed. Audi states that in this scenario, replacing parts or attempting repairs will not fix the problem.
• If the complaint cannot be reproduced: Technicians should check if TSB 2079690, which details a combined software update (03.10.00/C (28.13.01) KD2), is applicable to the vehicle. If it is, the software update described in TSB 2079690 should be performed.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair strategy for the 2025 Audi Q5 door cannot be opened from outside is tailored to the specific diagnostic findings, encompassing software updates, door lock replacement, or door control unit replacement.

Software Update (TSB 2079690)

If the complaint cannot be reproduced and TSB 2079690 is applicable, a software update is the recommended first step. This update, identified by Service Number 0151 0010, includes connecting a battery charger during the process. A fixed rate for the software update (Service Number 0151 0040, 130 TU) covers all required preliminary and follow-up work, such as managing the bus sleep cycle, performing a calibration drive, and restarting the software if the flashing process is interrupted.

Door Lock Replacement

Door lock replacement is indicated in specific scenarios:

• With DTC B122D29 and part version "07S or lower" and resistance measurement is NOK: The affected door lock must be replaced. This involves labor operations such as removing and installing the front door trim (7059 1900) or rear door trim (7073 1900), followed by removing and installing the door lock itself (5717 1950 for front, 5817 1950 for rear). Each door lock removal/installation is allocated 20 TU.

Door Control Unit Replacement

Replacement of the door control unit is required under several conditions:

• With DTC B122D29 and part version "07S or lower" and resistance measurement is OK: After confirming the lock wiring is sound via Guided Fault Finding, the door control unit (Service Number 6438 1950) of the faulty door should be replaced. This operation is allocated 20 TU.
• Without DTC B122D29 and part version "08S or higher" and the issue is only reproduced when the door is unlocked: The door control unit (Service Number 6438 1950) should be replaced. This operation is also allocated 20 TU.
• Without DTC B122D29 and the complaint can be reproduced when the vehicle is unlocked: The door control unit (Service Number 6438 1950) on the faulty door should be replaced.

Final Steps

After any repair action, whether it's a software update, door lock replacement, or door control unit replacement, Guided Functions (GFF) must be performed. This ensures that all systems are properly calibrated and functioning correctly. The GFF operation (Service Number 0150 0060) is timed according to the diagnostic protocol.

Required Tools and Parts

To properly diagnose and repair the issue described in TSB 2079914/1, specific tools and part considerations are necessary:

• Multimeter: Essential for performing accurate resistance measurements between pin 2 and pin 4 of the door lock connector.
• Diagnostic Equipment: An authorized Audi diagnostic system capable of reading DTCs, performing Guided Fault Finding, and executing software updates (specifically TSB 2079690) is required.
• Replacement Parts: Depending on the diagnosis, a new door lock or door control unit may be required. Technicians should always check with their Parts Department for the latest information and part bulletins.
• Battery Charger: Required during software update procedures to maintain stable voltage.

Warranty Information

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 2079914/1) provides crucial information for addressing the door opening issue. If the vehicle is outside of its warranty period, this bulletin serves as informational guidance only, meaning repairs may not be covered. All warranty claims submitted for payment must strictly adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual. Claims are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty to ensure compliance. The Damage Code associated with this issue is 0040. The claim comment should reference "As per TSB 2079914/1."

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Source: NHTSA ID 11026245