2021 Audi e-tron Driver Assist Malfunctions DTC B200FF9

Why This TSB Matters

Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2063502/7, issued on August 2, 2023, provides crucial information for diagnosing and resolving various driver assist system malfunctions in several 2021 Audi models, including the Audi e-tron. This update supersedes TSB Group 90 number 23-92 dated January 26, 2023, and focuses on optimizing multiple driver assist features through software updates.

Addressing these issues is important for maintaining the full functionality and safety features of your vehicle. The TSB outlines specific symptoms, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), and a detailed repair procedure involving software updates to several control modules.

Symptoms of Driver Assist Malfunctions

Owners may experience various issues with their vehicle's driver assist systems. These problems can manifest as warning messages in the instrument cluster or a loss of specific functionalities.

Common symptoms include:

• Lane Change Assist/Intersection Assist: These systems may sporadically stop working, accompanied by one of the following messages 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 may not be permanently stored and are lost with every ignition cycle.
• Adaptive Cruise Assist (ACA): Vehicles equipped with steel suspension may experience ACA disengagement or loss of calibration when towing a trailer or bike rack.

Affected Control Modules and Fault Codes

These malfunctions are often linked to specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) stored in various control modules. The primary DTC associated with these symptoms is B200FF9, indicating an internal malfunction.

DTC B200FF9 may be found in the following control modules with specific symptom codes:

• Front Corner Radar Control Modules (J1088/J1089, address words 00DB/00DC): DTC B200FF9 with symptom code 1311089.
• Lane Change Assist Control Modules (J769/J770, address words 003C/00CF): DTC B200FF9 with symptom codes 1311057, 1311058, 1311059, and/or 1311060.

It's important to note that this TSB does not apply to DTC B200FF9 when stored in the driver assist systems control module, J1121 (address word 00A5). For that specific condition, refer to PSS 2061489, which addresses "PSS 90 Pre sense malfunction/driver assist systems sporadically inop, DTC B200FF9 is stored in the driver assist module." This TSB 2063502/7 specifically targets B200FF9 in the radar and lane change assist modules, resolving the Audi e-tron B200FF9 issue.

The software update in this TSB affects the following control modules:

• Driver assist systems control module, J1121 (address word 00A5)
• Adaptive cruise control module, J428 (address word 0013)
• Lane change assist control module, J769/J770 (address words 003C/00CF)
• Front left/front right radar sensor control module for object detection, J1088/J1089 (address words 00DB/00DC)
• Control module for laser distance control, J1122 (address word 00CD)
• Airbag control module, J234 (address word 0015)

Important Warnings for Owners

Audi has issued several critical warnings that owners and technicians must heed during this service procedure:

• Pre-Update Requirements: "All outstanding campaigns must have been completed prior to running this update." Ensure your vehicle has no other pending service actions.
• Warning Messages: "If any warning messages are displayed in the instrument cluster, those have to be addressed prior to updating the vehicle as running the update with active instrument cluster warning messages may brick the driver assist control module, J1211 (address word 00A5)." Ignoring active warnings can lead to severe damage to the control module.
• Event Data Recorder (EDR) Backup: "Federal law requires the airbag's Event Data Recorder (EDR) to be backed up prior to running the update in this TSB (required only for MY20 Audi e-tron quattro and Audi e-tron Sportback, skip to Step 4 for all other vehicles)." This is a legal requirement for specific models.
• Third-Party Modifications: "The dealership/workshop, Audi of America, and/or Audi AG are not liable for third-party modifications, like undocumented retrofits, non-genuine accessories, or any other modification not approved by Audi of America that might be rendered inoperable by this update." Any non-approved modifications could be affected by the update.
• Update Method: "Always start the update out of ODIS. Please do not perform the update via the red engineering menu (method 2) unless you have been given prior approval from TAC."

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair involves updating the software for the affected driver assist control modules using the ODIS Tester. The process generally takes approximately 60-120 minutes, including 50-110 minutes for the software update itself and 10 minutes for SVM work.

Here's a high-level overview of the steps:

1. Determine zFAS System Designation: Technicians will use ODIS to identify the specific zFAS system designation (e.g., zFAS Var A, zFAS Var B/C) of the driver assist systems control module, J1121.
2. Select Required Media: Based on the zFAS variant and vehicle model, the appropriate SD Card or USB-C drive containing the software update will be selected. For example, MY20 Audi e-tron quattro and Audi e-tron Sportback with zFAS B/C require SD Card P/N 4N0906961AR, while other vehicles with zFAS B/C use USB-C drive P/N 4N1906961.
3. EDR Backup (if applicable): For MY20 Audi e-tron quattro and Audi e-tron Sportback, the airbag's Event Data Recorder (EDR) must be backed up as per federal law. This involves customer consent and running a specific test program in ODIS.
4. Update Peripheral Control Modules: The peripheral control modules are updated using SVM code FASISKD5A001. This step typically takes 20-30 minutes.
5. Exit Flash Context: The technician must exit the flash context in ODIS before proceeding.
6. Update zFAS Application Software: The zFAS application software is updated using SVM Code FASISKD5A002, which takes about 30 minutes.
7. Perform Bus Sleep Cycle: After the updates, the vehicle needs to perform a bus sleep cycle. This involves exiting the flash context, switching off the ignition, removing diagnostic tools, closing all doors, and locking the vehicle for approximately six minutes without disturbance.

Required Tools and Parts

To perform this software update, specific tools and parts are necessary:

• ODIS Tester: The primary diagnostic and programming tool for Audi vehicles.
• SD Card P/N 4N0906961AR: Required for MY20 Audi e-tron quattro and Audi e-tron Sportback quattro vehicles with zFAS B/C.
• USB-C drive P/N 4N1906961: Required for A6, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, MY21 Audi e-tron quattro, and Audi e-tron Sportback quattro vehicles with zFAS B/C, or if the vehicle is not equipped with an SD card reader.
• Software Update Package: This package can be provided on an SD Card or downloaded from MirrorServer using the SD Creator Program.

Warranty Information

This service is covered under Audi's warranty for up to 48 months or 50,000 miles. For Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, it falls under the G10 claim type, requiring owner verification. If the vehicle is outside of warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin serves as informational guidance only.

• Service Number: 9093
• Damage Code: 0039
• Labor Operations: Software Update (Includes checking for DTCs) – 0151 0000

Superseded and Related Bulletins

This TSB 2063502/7 supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 90 number 23-92 dated January 26, 2023. Several other TSBs are referenced and may be necessary to complete this procedure or for additional information:

• PSS 2061489: PSS 90 Pre sense malfunction/driver assist systems sporadically inop, DTC B200FF9 is stored in the driver assist module (for B200FF9 in J1121).
• 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.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 10241436