2019-2022 Audi e-tron Battery Module Software Update 93N6

Why This Matters: High-Voltage Battery Health

Audi has proactively released Technical Service Bulletin 93N6 to prevent potential issues with the high-voltage battery system in certain e-tron vehicles. The battery system in electric vehicles is composed of many individual cells. These cells naturally have slightly different voltages and capacities.

Without an effective balancing function, the overall battery capacity can be limited by the weakest cell. This can lead to individual cells being overloaded and aging more rapidly. The 93N6 software update specifically targets the battery modules control unit to optimize its balancing function and stabilize cell voltage measurements, ensuring the longevity and performance of the high-voltage battery.

Important Warnings and Owner Advisories

Owners should be aware of several critical points regarding this software update:

• Prior Safety Recalls: If your vehicle has open safety recalls, specifically 93V2 or 93U9, the evaluation steps for those campaigns must be completed before the 93N6 update. The 93N6 software update will erase historical high-voltage battery data, which could lead to inaccurate evaluations for other campaigns and affect the accurate evaluation of high-voltage battery cell modules.
• Dealer Inventory: This procedure must be performed on applicable vehicles currently in dealer inventory prior to sale.
• Warranty Eligibility: This procedure is valid only for vehicles that show the 93N6 code in the Elsa Campaign/Action Information screen on the day of repair and must be within the High-Voltage Battery Warranty parameters.
• Radiator Fan Safety: During the update process, the radiator fan(s) may cycle ON at high speed. There is a serious risk that personal injury may result if contact is made with spinning fan blades. Owners and technicians must "Keep hands and all objects away from Radiator Fan(s) during Update Process!"
• Prohibited Connections: Using Bluetooth or WiFi connections for the software update is "PROHIBITED!". Performing a software update using a Bluetooth or WiFi connection increases the risk of losing connection, which could result in damage to the control module. Damage caused to electronic components (e.g., ECM, TCM) during the SVM flash process is not covered. The VAS Diagnostics Interface MUST ONLY be connected to the tester with a USB cable.
• Guided Fault Finding (GFF): "DO NOT USE Guided Fault Finding (GFF)" to perform this flash. Using GFF will cause the flash to take longer, and requests for additional time will not be considered. Performing this software update using "Diagnosis" (Guided Fault Finding) could result in non-payment of the claim.
• Battery Charger Connection: When connecting the charger directly to the battery, connect the positive cable to the positive terminal of the battery and connect the negative cable to the grounding lug on the chassis. "DO NOT connect the ground cable directly to negative terminal of the battery."
• Hazard Warning Lights: The procedure may cancel itself if the hazard warning lights are not switched on. The hazard warning lights prevent the system from switching to bus sleep mode during the update.

Technical Service Bulletin Revision History

This Technical Service Bulletin 93N6 has undergone several revisions to ensure accuracy and completeness:

• Revision 4 (09/25/2024): Updated work procedure information.
• Revision 3 (05/30/2024): Updated warranty parameters.
• Revision 2 (02/14/2024): Updated work procedure information.
• Revision 1 (4/26/2022): Original publication.

Detailed Repair Procedure for the Audi e-tron battery module software

This software update requires specific steps and equipment to ensure proper installation and to prevent damage to vehicle components.

Pre-Update Conditions

Before launching the VAS Diagnostic Tester and starting an update, ensure the following conditions are met:

• ODIS Software: The ODIS software must be completely up to date. Refer to the "Alerts" section on the ServiceNet home page for the current ODIS version.
• Battery Charger: A battery charger, such as the GRX3000VAS Tester/Charger (or equivalent), must be connected to the vehicle battery and remain connected for the duration of the software update. Battery voltage must remain above 12.5 volts to prevent update failure or control module damage, which would not be covered under warranty.
• Screen Saver/Power Saving: The screen saver and power saving settings on the diagnostic tester must be turned off to prevent the tester from entering power save mode during the update.
• VAS Diagnostic Tester: The VAS Diagnostic Tester must be plugged in using the supplied power adapters. It should never be used on battery power alone during the software update to avoid power loss and potential control module damage.
• Flash Process: The flash process must be performed through "Audi Flashing," not Guided Fault Finding (GFF).
• USB Connection: The VAS Diagnostics Interface MUST ONLY be connected to the tester with a USB cable.
• ODIS Hot-Fixes: If any ODIS "Hot-Fix" patches are installed, they must be removed from the scan tool before beginning this operation, as they may affect the update process.

Initial Setup Steps

1. Open the hood and the battery cover.
2. Attach the GRX3000VAS Tester/Charger (or equivalent) in POWER SUPPLY MODE to the vehicle battery or underhood charging posts. Remember to connect the positive cable to the positive terminal and the negative cable to the grounding lug on the chassis, not directly to the negative battery terminal.
3. Switch on the hazard warning lights. This is crucial as the procedure may cancel itself if they are not active, preventing the system from entering bus sleep mode during the update.
4. Connect the VAS6150X/VAS6160X Diagnostic Tester to the vehicle.
5. Start the ODIS program.
6. Confirm that the scan tool is communicating with the diagnostic head via a USB cable. If Bluetooth or WiFi symbols are shown, disconnect and reconnect the USB cable to ensure a wired connection.

Performing the Software Flash

1. From the home screen of the scan tool, highlight "Flash" (indicated by <1> in the document's visual guide).
2. Follow the on-screen prompts. The operating mode "Flash" must be used; using "Diagnosis" (Guided Fault Finding) will result in non-payment.
3. Select "Starting Flashing" and follow the on-screen prompts.
4. Select "No RO" if prompted.
5. Highlight "SVM – Code Input" (Software Version Management).
6. Select "Perform test."
7. Enter the corrective action code 93N6A268.
8. Select "Accept" and follow the on-screen prompts.

Post-Update Actions

1. After receiving confirmation that the flash completed successfully, select "Send" to send the diagnostic protocol online.
2. Follow any remaining on-screen prompts.
3. Click "Flash" to exit the flash session.
4. To clear any event memory entries generated after the flashing procedure, put the vehicle into bus sleep mode. This involves disconnecting the diagnostic tester, removing the key from the vehicle, and locking the vehicle with the remote for 6 minutes.

Warranty and Claim Information

After the update is completed, dealers should enter the claim as soon as possible to prevent duplicate work. An Elsa screen print showing the action as "open" on the day of repair must be attached to the repair order.

• Service Number: 93N6
• Damage Code: 0099
• Parts Vendor Code: 002
• Claim Type: Sold vehicle: 710, Unsold vehicle: 790
• Causal Indicator: Mark labor as causal
• Vehicle Wash/Loaner: "Do not claim wash/loaner under this action."
• Criteria I.D.: S1

Labor Op	Time Units	Description
2706 89 50	10	Connect battery charger
9301 25 99	Time stated on diagnostic protocol	Update battery module control module software
9035 33 99	10	Activate bus sleep mode

For vehicles that may be involved in additional actions, technicians should check the Elsa Campaign/Action Information screen for any other required work. The Elsa system is the only binding inquiry and verification system for vehicle eligibility.

Required Special Tools

Performing this Audi e-tron battery module software update requires specific diagnostic equipment:

• Battery Tester/Charger: GRX3000VAS (or equivalent)
• Diagnostic Tester: VAS6150X/VAS6160X (or equivalent)

NHTSA ID: 11009239