2023-2024 Audi Wireless Smartphone Interface Inoperative

Owners of certain 2023-2024 Audi vehicles may experience problems with their wireless Audi Smartphone Interface (ASI), which includes Apple CarPlay (ACP) and Android Auto (AA). This issue prevents wireless pairing with a phone, leading to the Audi Q8 wireless CarPlay inop symptom, among others.

Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 91 24 85 2073333/1, issued on March 12, 2024, provides guidance for diagnosing and resolving this connectivity problem. The TSB clarifies that this is a configuration issue, not a hardware defect, and offers a specific repair procedure.

Symptoms

Customers may report the following symptoms related to the wireless Audi Smartphone Interface:

• "The Audi Smarphone Interface [ASI] (Apple CarPlay [ACP] / AndroidAuto [AA]) cannot be paired to the phone wirelessly."
• "The phone tiles under the ASI menu are grayed out" in the infotainment system (MMI).

Workshop findings further indicate that the vehicle's 5GHz WiFi network, essential for wireless ASI functionality, "is not broadcast by the vehicle." It's important to note that if a wired ASI connection is used, the system functions as expected, confirming the issue is specific to wireless connectivity. This directly impacts the Audi Q8 wireless CarPlay inop experience.

Fault Codes / DTCs

Audi TSB 91 24 85 2073333/1 states that "No Relevant DTCs are stored" in relation to this particular issue. This means that traditional diagnostic trouble codes will not be present to indicate the problem.

Technical Background

The wireless Audi Smartphone Interface relies on the vehicle's 5GHz WiFi network to establish communication and stream content from a connected phone to the MMI. The TSB explains that a configuration issue within the vehicle prevents this 5GHz WiFi network from being available. Consequently, the wireless ASI cannot function correctly. A wired connection bypasses this WiFi dependency, which is why it remains operational.

Important Warnings

Audi explicitly states a critical warning regarding this issue:

"Parts replacement does not solve this issue. Claims for replaced parts will be subject to review."

This means that attempting to replace components like the Emergency Call Module and Communication Unit (ConBox) -J949- will not resolve the problem and may result in warranty claims being denied.

Repair Procedure Summary

The recommended service procedure to address the Audi Q8 wireless CarPlay inop condition involves a software-based solution. Technicians are instructed to:

1. Execute the "Check control module configuration" test plan.
2. Perform this test plan under Guided Functions.
3. Target the Emergency Call Module and Communication Unit (ConBox) -J949- (address word 0075).

This procedure reconfigures the necessary settings to enable the 5GHz WiFi network, allowing the wireless Audi Smartphone Interface to function as intended.

Warranty Information

Audi provides specific guidelines for warranty claims related to TSB 91 24 85 2073333/1:

• Claim Type: The repair is covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for up to 48 months or 50,000 miles.
• CPO Vehicles: For Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, the claim type is G10, and ownership must be verified.
• Out of Warranty: If the vehicle is outside of its warranty period, this Technical Service Bulletin is for informational purposes only.
• Service Number: 9145
• Damage Code: AC39
• Diagnostic Time: GFF, 0150 0000 (Maximum 75 TU)
• Road Test: No allowance (0 TU) is provided for road tests before or after the service procedure.

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

NHTSA ID

10251655