2021 Audi A5/RS5/S5 SOS Emergency Call Malfunction TSB

Owners of 2021 Audi A5, RS5, and S5 models may encounter a warning message indicating an issue with the SOS emergency call system. This condition, known as an Audi A5 SOS malfunction, is addressed by Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 91 23 18 2060197/4. The TSB outlines the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and repair procedures for this specific problem.

This bulletin, dated August 8, 2023, is a revision (Revision 4) that supersedes previous versions, including Group 91 number 23-88 dated April 5, 2023. It includes updated repair instructions and warranty information.

Symptoms

If your vehicle is affected by this issue, you will typically observe the following message displayed in the instrument cluster:

• "Emergency call function: malfunction! Function restricted. Please contact service."

This message indicates that the vehicle's emergency call system is not operating correctly.

Fault Codes / DTCs

Technicians diagnosing an Audi A5 SOS malfunction will find one of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) stored in the telematics control module, J949 (address word 0075):

Code	Description	Module
B18BD11	mobile phone aerial 1 for emergency call module and communication unit, short circuit to ground	Telematics Control Module
B18BD13	mobile phone aerial 1 for emergency call module and communication unit, interruption	Telematics Control Module

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

The technical background for this Audi A5 SOS malfunction points to possible water ingress due to a damaged seal. This can lead to issues with the mobile phone aerial 1, which is crucial for the emergency call system's functionality.

Important Warnings

Audi has issued a specific caution regarding the diagnostic process for this TSB:

• CAUTION: "Do not run any test plans for DTCs mentioned in this TSB. Time used to run test plans for DTCs mentioned in this TSB may be debited."

This means that technicians should proceed directly to the repair steps outlined in the TSB rather than spending time on diagnostic test plans for DTCs B18BD11 or B18BD13, as this time may not be covered under warranty.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair for the Audi A5 SOS malfunction primarily involves replacing components related to the mobile phone aerial and its connection to the telematics control module. The general steps are:

1. Replace the mobile phone aerial 1 for the emergency call module, identified as -R263-.
2. Replace the antenna wire that connects the mobile phone aerial 1 to the telematics control module, J949.
3. Carefully unpin the defective wire from the 8-pin connector T8bc (or T8cp for vehicles from July 2019 onwards) and correctly pin in the new wire.

Required Tools or Parts

To perform this repair, the following parts are typically required:

• Mobile phone aerial 1 for emergency call module -R263-: Quantity 1 (Part number: See ETKA/ELSA)
• Adapter antenna cable: Quantity 1 (Part number: 4N1971650A)
• Adapter antenna cable: Quantity 1 (Part number: 000098714)
• Fasteners, Bolts, Nuts, and Screws: As needed per the Repair Manual (Part number: See ETKA)

Always consult with your Audi Parts Department and ETKA for the latest information and part bulletins.

Owner Action

If you are experiencing the "Emergency call function: malfunction! Function restricted. Please contact service." warning in your 2021 Audi A5, RS5, or S5, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with an authorized Audi dealer. Reference TSB 91 23 18 2060197/4 when discussing the issue. The repair is typically covered under warranty for vehicles up to 48 months or 50,000 miles, or for CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) vehicles (Claim Type G10). If your vehicle is outside of warranty, this bulletin serves as informational guidance.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 10241439