2023-2024 Audi S3 / A3 Driver Assist System Fault TSB 2079574/1

Owners of certain 2023-2024 Audi S3 and A3 vehicles may encounter intermittent malfunctions with their driver assistance systems. These issues can manifest as various warning messages and a general loss of functionality for features designed to enhance safety and convenience. Audi has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2079574/1 to provide dealerships with a diagnostic and repair procedure for these concerns, which are traced back to a software anomaly within the front camera for driver assist systems.

This TSB specifically targets an Audi S3 driver assist system fault that can affect multiple functions, leading to a degraded driving experience and potential safety concerns. The resolution involves a software update to the vehicle's front camera module, ensuring proper operation of these advanced systems.

Symptoms of the Driver Assist System Fault

Drivers may observe several indications that their Audi's driver assist systems are not functioning correctly. These symptoms often appear briefly, lasting approximately 10 seconds, and can vary depending on the vehicle's specific equipment. Common complaints include:

• Speed Warning Display Issues: The speed warning display in the driver information system (DIS), multi-function indicator (MFI), or Multi Media Interface (MMI) may exhibit "no function," be unable to save settings, or provide "incorrect reading."
• Lane Assist Malfunctions: The lane departure warning system may show "no function." Activation of lane assist warning via button or automatic activation may be "non-functional," "cannot be selected," or "cannot be activated."
• Indicator Display Symbols: The lane assist indicator display might "activate without cause."

In addition to these functional complaints, specific warning messages may appear in the instrument cluster, directly alerting the driver to a problem. These verbatim messages include:

• "Traffic sign recognition: fault"
• "Adaptive cruise assist not working"
• "Lane assist: currently unavailable. See Owner's Manual"
• "Audi pre sense: currently restricted. See Owner's Manual"
• "Audi pre sense not working"

Fault Codes and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)

When diagnosing an Audi S3 driver assist system fault, technicians may find specific event memory entries logged intermittently in the front camera for driver assist systems, identified as R242 (diagnostic address 00A5). These codes pinpoint the nature of the software issue:

• B200FF0: Internal malfunction (symptom number: 1124116). This code indicates a problem within the internal processing or operation of the front camera module itself.
• B2F0100: Development code 1 (symptom number: 1124198). This code suggests a specific internal software or development-related issue within the camera system.

Important Warnings

It is crucial for technicians to note that this TSB does not apply if a different symptom number than 1124116 or 1124198 is logged for event memory entries B200FF0 or B2F0100. If other symptom numbers are present, a different diagnostic path may be required, as this bulletin specifically addresses the conditions outlined by these particular symptom numbers.

Furthermore, if diagnostic address 00A5 - Front camera for driver assist systems cannot be selected when restoring the function, technicians must create a new Guided Fault Finding (GFF) and perform the function restoration again.

Technical Background

The root cause of these various driver assist system complaints is a software issue within the front camera for driver assist systems, identified as R242 (diagnostic address 00A5). This component, also known as MFK3w, is critical for the operation of features like traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise assist, lane assist, and Audi pre sense. The software anomaly leads to the intermittent loss of functionality and the display of warning messages to the driver. Affected vehicles may have existing software versions 3402, 3403, or 3405 for the 00A5 control unit.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair for this Audi S3 driver assist system fault involves updating the software of the front camera for driver assist systems (R242) using the Software Version Management (SVM) system. This process is performed via the ODIS tester in "Flash" mode. Technicians must follow all instructions detailed in TSB 2011732: 00 Software Version Management (SVM), operating instructions.

The procedure includes several key steps:

Step 1: Change Communication Type to CAN-FD

Before proceeding with the software update, the communication type on the ODIS tester must be configured. This involves navigating through the ODIS menu to Admin >> General >> GFS Process and then selecting the communication path: "Only allow CAN-FD communication." After this selection, technicians must select "Save."

Step 2: Update Bootloader and Software

This step involves updating both the bootloader and the application software for the front camera for driver assist systems -R242-. The specific SVM code required for this update is A5A024.

Step 3: Parameter Setting and Coding

Following the software update, the front camera for driver assist systems -R242- requires parameter setting and coding. The SVM code for this procedure is A5B024.

Step 4: Restore Functions

Finally, technicians must restore the functions using the ODIS tester. This is done by accessing Special functions >> SVM Activations >> Restore already existing activations >> 00A5 - Front sensors for driver assistant systems. This ensures that all previously configured driver assistance functions are reactivated and operating correctly with the new software.

Warranty Information

For vehicles still under warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin provides specific details for submitting a claim:

• Claim Type: If the vehicle is outside of any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin is informational only.
• Service Number: 9638
• Damage Code: 0039
• Labor Operations:
  • Software update: 0151 0010 (Refer to SRT with associated operations)
  • Software update: 0151 0060 (Time stated on the diagnostic protocol)
• Claim Comment: As per TSB 2079574/1

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: 10248842