Electrical (includes radio wiring and audio as well as warnings/beeps)
My wipers only work on low speed
The wiper switch has a relay inside that has failed. It will need to be replaced. There are several people that replace them, or you can do it yourself.
My tail lights don't work, but my head lights do
The light switch connections may have burnt out. Check the back of the light switch. If they are burnt, you will need to replace the light switch and light switch harness.
My dash lights don't work
Did you check the dimmer control??? If you did and they still don't work the light switch connections may have burnt out. Check the back of the light switch. If they are burnt, you will need to replace the light switch and light switch harness.
What type of bulb is used...
A full listing of the different types of bulbs is found in the Specifications section of this FAQ.
All my warning lights are on
It is normal for all the lights to come on, if the key is on, and the engine is not running, but they should turn of when the engine is running.
With the engine running the Alternator failure warning circuit in the CPU will switch the lights on when the voltage in the car drops under 12 volts. Either your alternator, belts, underhood fuse box connections may have failed. The voltage in the car and the voltmeter on the dash (only in non-turbo models) needs to be above 12.6 volts. If it is below 12.6 volts your alt is not producing enough power to run the car.
You also need it to stay at or above 13.6 volts to charge the battery.
The voltage in my car is Low or High
Normal operating voltage for cars is 14.4 volts. This is where the voltage should be when the engine is running. If it is not at this voltage, there is something wrong with the alternator or charging system or wiring.
13.5 volts is the bare minimum to charge the battery. Anything less than 13.5 volts while the engine is running is bad and indicates that the alternator is failing or mis-wired.
12.6 volts is battery voltage. If the car is at 12.6 volts or lower while the engine is running, then the charging system is not sufficent to even keep the car running and the car is running on the battery. This indicates that the alt has failed, or is disconnected.
Above 15 volts is very bad. 15 volts is the maximum that the electrical system works at. Above 15 volts and there is the potential of burning out electrical parts in the car such as the lights and computers. 15+ volts indicates the regulator in the alternator has failed or is disconnected.
What are the wire colors for adding aftermarket radio
LTBlue/Red= 12v+
LtBlue/White= +Accessory
LtBlue/Yellow= -power ant trigger
Red/Black=+ Lumination
White=Factory Amp Turn on
Ground to the body, use the 10mm bolt behind the center console front drivers access panel. Do not use the Red/Black as ground it will damage the interior light circuit and dimmer in the car
Front Speakers (maximum of a 15 watt peak from the radio):
LtGreen/Red= Left
LtGreen/Black= Left
LtGreen= Right
LtGreen/Yellow=Right
Rear Speakers (if applicable, if you have the amplified rear speakers again the Maximum of 15 watts peak is all the stock speaker amp input can handle):
Brown= Left rear
Brown/White= Left Rear
LtBlue= Right Rear
LtBlue/Orange=Right Rear
Note: as mentioned above the power antenna's trigger is ground (or - ). With all aftermarket radio's antenna output as 12 volts positive (+). To make a stock power antenna work you need a relay wired like this:
Some S4 models will have amplified doors woofers. There will be a round 6 pin low level DIN plug found on these models at the back of the radio.
Stock Speakers / Amps
Speaker Size:
Dash: 130mm (4”)
Door: 160mm or 150mm (6”) (note: true 6.5” speakers are 170mm)
Rear tower: 4” or 6"
Headrest: 3.5”
Rear floorboard: 5.25”
Amp Locations:
Door speaker amps are behind the driver’s dash speaker.
Front dash amps are next to the radio, or on the passenger’s side next to the pass speaker.
Rear amps are next to the radio (6" speakers), or on each speaker (4" rear speakers).
Headrest speaker amp is in the driver’s side just below the B pillar
My reverse lights don't work
Common if you had Clutch or Transmission work done recently to have the wires disconnected at the transmission. Occasionally the reverse light switch will also fail.
I keep hearing a beep beep beep
Probably the power steering computer telling you there is a problem with the system. The number of beeps before pausing will indicate the problem.
1-beep, pause, repeat - in case abnormality of speed sensor signal:
In case broken wires or short circuits occur to sensors or harnesses, the buzzer sounds 60-seconds after the engine speed signal of 2200 rpm continues for 18-seconds.
2-beeps, pause, repeat - in case abnormality of engine speed signal:
The buzzer sounds twice and repeats when the vehicle speed signal is missing input and/or no engine speed signal is found (short circuit, broken wire, etc.)
3-beeps, pause, repeat - in case abnormality of stepping motor signal:
The buzzer sounds when there are broken wires or short circuits in coils or harnesses.
4-beeps, pause, repeat - in case abnormality of the power steering microcomputer:
The buzzer sounds 4 and repeats when there are circuit troubles other than with the micro computer.
5-beeps, pause, repeat - in case abnormality of steering sensor signal: Steering sensor is mis-aligned or failed or steering wheel has been improperly installed.
I keep hearing this loud buzzer every time I hit the red line
Yep, for your protection.
My clock/idiot lights don't work correctly or the clock doesn't hold memory when the key is off
Probably the fuse is blown or you have cold solder joints on the clock/idiot light panel.
My horn doesn't work
Probably bad solder joints in the CPU