Whilst driving my 2001 Audi A4 (rhd) last week I was sure that I had engaged my indicator (turn signal), I heard the trusty clicking sound as it started. After a few seconds however, there was silence, just as I was mid-manoeuvre. I tried signalling again, a few clicks then silence again. Over the next few drives I monitored the situation, it seemed to be a little random or intermittent. Not wanting to have to revert to hand signals, I decided a fix was in order. Electrical problems can be notorious to track down and fix, costs can be excessive in relation to the cost of the parts. So I decided to hunt for a solution on the Internet – after all, I can’t be the only person to have endured this problem!
I quickly discovered lots of other people had the same problem and that it wasn’t just limited to the Audi A4 but encompassed the whole Audi and VW family of cars. I was pleased to discover this post over at Audi Forums – it seemed to detail everything that was required. Huge thanks to Dudley Doright (login required, sorry!) for providing this post, it was a great help.
Of course, buying a replacement relay via a main dealer was likely to be expensive too. Fear not, the Internet provided many recommendations for VAG Parts Ltd (sadly this firm is no longer trading). They had the part required for my vehicle (search for A4 RELAY), it cost about £27 with VAT and delivery included. Delivery was swift, within a couple of days of ordering.
UPDATE 22.05.2012: The relay can be purchased through German Auto Spares (http://www.germanautopartsdirect.co.uk)
I would like to add just a little bit Dudley’s post. The relay itself has two securing legs, one down each side. These legs are designed to keep the relay in place. Removing the faulty relay, especially with my cup-holder and fog light controls still in place was a bit of an effort. Using the 90-degree pulling tool helped a lot, but it was an exercise massaging the tool into the position such that it can dislodge the legs and aid removal of the relay. Of course, your mileage may vary. The legs are noted by the two blue circles in the picture below:
BBC Radio 1, in case you were wondering.
I managed to source Dudley’s recommended tools from Maplin – as set of 8 tools for £2.97! Here are the two that I used, along with the faulty relay:
And for your reference, here’s the part number itself:
Technorati Tags: Audi, A4, VAG Parts Ltd, hazard, hazard relay, indicator relay, Audi Forums, Maplin, Dudley Doright
Hope this can help too.
http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=317724&highlight=turn+signal+blink
Where to buy: http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/autopartsplace/wizard.jsp?PBJ=090530_091600_0163913581_AUD&year=2001&make=AU&model=A4-T-003&category=All&part=Hazard+Flasher+Switch
My A4 did exactly this on the way to work this morning, what an insightful and well documented fix.
Thank you,
>oO
i wish i had of checked before now, just stripped my A4 to find this thing, audi need a kick up the arse
Uh oh, the link doesn’t work anymore!
This has happened my A4, and I really want to get it sorted. Do you know of anywhere else that sells the relay? I’ve looked around but I want to be absolutely sure I’m buying the right part.
Cheers.
The indicators on my A6 have also conked out. I have to take a look at this at the weekend!
thank you so much.my indicators and hazards stopped working and i took the car to a garage who said it was the relay switch.being suspicious of garages as ripped off so many times,i paid for the switch and getting it fitted a.s.a.p.just doing a double check.thank you again kind regards eleanoe
Hey thanks for your post, my A4 is troubling me by making whining sound, i will have to take it to the garage & get rid of that whining sound, i don’t know why it is making such a horrible sound.
Re Audi A3 indicator problems. I had this fault on my 02 A3. Being me when I had it out I discovered that it comes apart quite easily. A simple rub between the relay contact points with fine emery and problem solved. No need for a new relay.
Cheers,
John.
i need to get relay can’t get one fom scrap yard, parts place needs my old one to see wot it looks like any ideas? also tried to get old one out do i need special tools for this?
My indicator /relay is keeping lots of noise and my indicators are not woring. I replaced it but I’m still having the same problem. The indicators are working but I’m still having the problem. What should I do? _
im having same problem, bought new relay. i have a 97 audi a4 quattro, do i have to take the whole console thing out to get to relay or can i just try to pop it out without taking console apart? i have wood trim around my hazard and dont wanna ruin it. please someone let me know. benn without blinkers for 3 weeks now and i keep pissing people off when im turning without using them, lol
I have the indicator problem as well, and want to follow your advice. I notice from your photo that you say the faulty indicator relay was the hazard one. Are they one and the same? Do I need to take out the hazard relay to repair the turning indicator? I would appreciate your help before my MOT is due!!
I replaced the indicator stalk – wasted £30 with no effect, then looked here and saw it could well be the indicator relay – even though the effects SEEM to emanate from the stalk – wiggling it and switching it on and off a few times improves things – BUT its because you are exercising the indicator relay as well. I took the hazards unit out, disassembled it and sure enough the single-pole relay contact was completely obliterated. Way beyond an emery paper solution. I replaced the relay with a similar type. All is perfect now.
audi a4 keeps going flat had a dienostic check all ok new battery was ok for a week and one night of frost and would not start ?? hazared switch on dash is lit up all the time even when locked ?? audi a4 52plate ???