Hello! grey FSI in Surrey

[richardbe]

It only came with one key, and there's a different one for the ignition (possibly ignition replaced at some point?) Need 2nd set of key/s ideally.

Glove box handle is either broken or has just fallen off. I can open it by poking my finger in the hole as the lever is still working. I have the handle here but can't work out if the handle can just be refitted or if something is broken and I needs a new glove box front?

Passenger window switch loose in door, pulls up when switch pulled

Replacement cigar lighter needed

 

[richardbe]

Boot lock bit of plastic trim needs refitting. Assume it's a cover for the hole around the latch but need to work out how it fits.

Spoiler repainted badly, Why on earth??? Surface is cracked/crazed. Remove and replace spoiler? Remove with paint stripper? But what might be lurking underneath?!

And the same at the front... front fogs panel repainted badly WHY???! Replace panel? Remove with paint stripper?

 

[richardbe]

And finally, a couple of the alloys are scratched and really could do with a refurb. I've used someone local a couple of times in recent years who does a set of four nicely for about £150. These are the two worst ones:

The centre caps are all bit scruffy. I've taken them all off and it looks like they're plastic and maybe moisture has got under the lacquer? Not sure if refurbishable or I need to look for replacements? Or maybe look for a nice set of those pepper pot alloys someone posted about at the start of the thread.

So that's my A2. All these photos make it look well scruffy but it's really not. I can live with most of the cosmetic stuff but I do think with older cars that if I can make a difference for low cost then it's nice to make them look a bit tidier. Fingers crossed the ABS light gets fixed and it will get an MOT in Feb. Then I can see if the EML is the Oil Level Sensor or something ERG related. I believe it's JUST old enough that it will get an MOT with the EML light on. Certainly has in the past. Then to fix the trim and cosmetic stuff!

Any pointers, advice, links to parts sources all very much appreciated!

 

[Proghound]

The glovebox handle looks like it might just push / hook back into place, you've certainly got all the bits present.

Heaven knows why the bad paint on the front grille and foglight surrounds but they are easily and cheaply replaced - talk to our ethical recyclers @A2Steve @Clackers @Ami or put a Wanted ad in the Market. The rear spoiler is another matter though, it can't be removed so that would need rubbing down and painting properly. That's an interesting hole on the underside, I've never seen that before. I wonder if someone did try to remove it?

For the wheel centres again you can search for better replacements but you can also easily remove the chrome rings with thin pliers and/or a flat-headed screwdriver to reveal smooth grey plastic underneath, which will certainly smarten them up a bit.

 

[birtyA2]

And finally, a couple of the alloys are scratched and really could do with a refurb. I've used someone local a couple of times in recent years who does a set of four nicely for about £150. These are the two worst ones:

View attachment 102836

View attachment 102837

The centre caps are all bit scruffy. I've taken them all off and it looks like they're plastic and maybe moisture has got under the lacquer? Not sure if refurbishable or I need to look for replacements? Or maybe look for a nice set of those pepper pot alloys someone posted about at the start of the thread.

View attachment 102838
View attachment 102839
View attachment 102840View attachment 102841

So that's my A2. All these photos make it look well scruffy but it's really not. I can live with most of the cosmetic stuff but I do think with older cars that if I can make a difference for low cost then it's nice to make them look a bit tidier. Fingers crossed the ABS light gets fixed and it will get an MOT in Feb. Then I can see if the EML is the Oil Level Sensor or something ERG related. I believe it's JUST old enough that it will get an MOT with the EML light on. Certainly has in the past. Then to fix the trim and cosmetic stuff!

Any pointers, advice, links to parts sources all very much appreciated!

From the pictures it looks very much like you may have found the ABS issue, one cable fully severed and the other one worn by rubbing

As has been mentioned it may be faster to replace the front bumper ‘black bits’ although you may well be able to remove the paint. Horrific looking spoiler. As has also been mentioned you can remove the chrome rings with care. You can then choose to leave off which will make them all the same colour as the middle bit or remove the bubbled clear coat and paint back to aluminium and then polish before refitting which is what I did

Best regards

Justin

 

[Andrew]

Good Evening Richard,

The boot lid striker plate cover.

This has two halves, 8Z0 827 085-1 which you have and 8Z0 827 085-2 which is essentially missing. You appear to have a small part of ..-2, presumably the remainder has broken off, what's left has then been mated with ..-1 incorrectly, unless there is different variant to the broken one I have here.

For reference, not mine...

..-1 & ..-2 are held in position by the 'arms' of the striker plate 4B9 827 507L which you have, as in the picture, it's all simple as you will see when you get your hands on one.

Just ask Steve or Andy (or anyone else) for one, it will only be a few pounds.

Andy

 

[CrispyEdd]

All nice little projects and all very fixable, glove box likely the most expensive if can't be clipped. Mine did this and kept falling back out

 

[CrispyEdd]

The ride height can be due to using springs from an se or.maybe for a sunroof model?.

 

[audifan]

Re the keys. Probably better to obtain a drivers door lock and ignition barrel complete with matching keys.

Glove box best and quickest option there is to get a replacement one.

Fog light covers should clean back to bare surface relatively easily.

Suspension probably just very tired although do not rule out spring, damper or other suspension component failure.

 

[dj_efk]

Boot struts - lots of info on good quality Stabilus replacements on here if you do a quick search. £20 or less will sort that out and is a satisfyingly quick job!

 

[CrispyEdd]

Boot struts - lots of info on good quality Stabilus replacements on here if you do a quick search. £20 or less will sort that out and is a satisfyingly quick job!

The boot does drop the last bit of travel under it own weight though doesn't it? It doesn't spring up when you unlock it, we'll mine certainly doesn't and I changed to stabilis last year.

 

[dj_efk]

The boot does drop the last bit of travel under it own weight though doesn't it? It doesn't spring up when you unlock it, we'll mine certainly doesn't and I changed to stabilis last year.

Correct - The last 20cm or so it should drop under it's own weight - and that is how you should close the boot.

 

[richardbe]

A bit of progress with the A2...

Firstly, it turns out the ride height is due to a previous owner using the correct part no SE/non sunroof springs but a cheaper aftermarket rather than genuine Audi. Seems to ride and handle fine so I'm inclined to leave them.

I had a go at soldering in a bit of temporarily ABS wiring in the drivers wheel arch to see if it was the chaffed wiring that was the problem.

ABS light still on. Our ever helpful neighbour has a fault code reader so he plugged it in to have a look at what was up. Lots of codes showing so reset and had a look at what came back. Code for mechanical failure of the drivers side ABS Sensor showing so that will need replacing to hopefully put that light out and get it MOTed. Other fault codes related to the EGR stuff so not sure whether the EML is on because of the Oil Level Sensor or whether it's something EGR related.

I had a go at the paint on the spoiler. Rather than doing what you're supposed to and check the results of the paint stripper on a tiny bit that is out of sight I merrily slathered the stuff all over, waited, repeated, waited and hosed off.

I mean, I couldn’t make it look any worse could I?

Oh, yes it appears I could.

Going to leave it as it is for the moment while I either work out a plan for refinishing the spoiler or I find a cheap replacement tailgate the same colour to maybe do a swap (the spoiler is bonded onto the tailgate).

 

[richardbe]

Someone on here noticed from one of my pics I had the wrong jack.

Correct jack now bought, the old Lupo/Polo/Arouser one is available for cost of postage, if anyone wants it please let me know.

Managed to empty my first tank of fuel, and according to my calculations it’s managed 33mpg, which has been mostly local driving and a couple of train strike day commutes into London, including my first visit to the multi story car park in Penge. What a place. Very relieved to be in a small manouverable car!

Last week it went to the mechanic for new ABS and oil level sensor, and a general check over. He cleaned out the EGR flaps and pipes and stuff I don't understand. Came back with no warning lights on and he'd even put it through its MOT which was due next week, so it's got a fresh MOT! Hurrah!

I can now spend some time and effort fixing some of the other low level niggles. Looks like it’s a keeper and will remain with us for the time being, so I thought I'd introduce it to the 924, both cars I believe were built in the same ex-NSU Neckarsulm factory but 21 years apart.

 

[CrispyEdd]

A bit of progress with the A2...View attachment 103980

Firstly, it turns out the ride height is due to a previous owner using the correct part no SE/non sunroof springs but a cheaper aftermarket rather than genuine Audi. Seems to ride and handle fine so I'm inclined to leave them.

I had a go at soldering in a bit of temporarily ABS wiring in the drivers wheel arch to see if it was the chaffed wiring that was the problem.

View attachment 103981

View attachment 103982

ABS light still on. Our ever helpful neighbour has a fault code reader so he plugged it in to have a look at what was up. Lots of codes showing so reset and had a look at what came back. Code for mechanical failure of the drivers side ABS Sensor showing so that will need replacing to hopefully put that light out and get it MOTed. Other fault codes related to the EGR stuff so not sure whether the EML is on because of the Oil Level Sensor or whether it's something EGR related.

View attachment 103983
View attachment 103984

I had a go at the paint on the spoiler. Rather than doing what you're supposed to and check the results of the paint stripper on a tiny bit that is out of sight I merrily slathered the stuff all over, waited, repeated, waited and hosed off.

I mean, I couldn’t make it look any worse could I?

View attachment 103987

Oh, yes it appears I could.

View attachment 103985


View attachment 103986

Going to leave it as it is for the moment while I either work out a plan for refinishing the spoiler or I find a cheap replacement tailgate the same colour to maybe do a swap (the spoiler is bonded onto the tailgate).

That was brave but nothing to lose, well done alot of people will like to see.this transformed.

 

[richardbe]

Well... the EML light stayed off for about 10 days and 60 miles then popped back on again. I need to get the neighbour's code reader on it to see if it's serious or one of the low level background irritations that it would seem most of you FSI people accept as part of the ownership experience.

The only other things of note are that after three months I decided to wash it and it now looks lovely, but also unfortunately all the scuffs and scratches are now a bit more visible.Time for a bit of tic and some time with polishes and paint restorers to see if I can make it look a bit more lovely.
The other exciting thing is that after 3 months of ownership I spotted my first A2 in the wild, a grey/dark silver 51 plate near Redhill hospital last week. They really are quite rare things.
Nothing further to report .Long may it remain that way!

 

[Phil_B]

That looks nice @richardbe. Will have to get a picture of yours and mine together.
And one with 2 of my 800s

 

[Andrew]

Good Afternoon Richard,

" ......low level background irritations that it would seem most of you FSI people accept as part of the ownership experience."

My EML has not been on for years!, you will get FSIs a bad name, haha. No such thing as low level, there is a fault.

Buy a cheap cable and download VCDS lite or get the hand held diagnostic tool that had good reviews here recently (£40).

Andy

 

[richardbe]

My EML has not been on for years!, you will get FSIs a bad name, haha. No such thing as low level, there is a fault.

Buy a cheap cable and download VCDS lite or get the hand held diagnostic tool that had good reviews here recently (£40).

Andy

Oops! Sorry Andy and all other FSI owners!

Neighbour has a plug in tablet thingy that reads fault codes (see photos higher up on this page) so hopefully we'll be able to see what the problem is and investigate/repair as appropriate!

 

[PlasticMac]

Oops! Sorry Andy and all other FSI owners!

Neighbour has a plug in tablet thingy that reads fault codes (see photos higher up on this page) so hopefully we'll be able to see what the problem is and investigate/repair as appropriate!

FSI ownership is an privilege, (only around 550 in whole of mainland UK), and that comes with responsibilities. They must looked after.
Not sure where exactly in Surrey you are, but I'm in North Hampshire, only a few miles from Surrey and Berkshire borders.
On the free scan register, if you need a scan, and a chat about the results.
Mac.