How to Repair a Child Lock Malfunction in an Audi Q8
Nowadays, everything is about passenger safety in the automotive industry. Every manufacturer is searching for interesting new ways to improve comfort and safety in their cars.
Only a handful of vehicles could come on par with the Audi Q8 when it comes to safety features in an SUV. The large-sized vehicle is one of the best of its kind, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t prone to faults. One of our clients witnessed that firsthand as he came into our garage with his 2019 Audi Q8.
Mr. T complained about an annoying yellow light flickering in his Q8’s dash, which our lead Audi technician Matt identified as a ‘child lock fault’.
Something like this is rare to find in a three-year-old vehicle, specifically one that is German-made and known for reliability.
The ‘child lock fault’ is not life-threatening to any passenger unless you drive around with a child in the back. It is more of an annoyance, which prevents the rear doors from opening from the inside. The client saw it that way as well since he had to step out of the vehicle and open the rear doors for his passengers like a valet, which isn’t always convenient.
Mr. T decided to solve the problem before opening doors became a chore for him. He came to Fitch Autos and put his trust in Matt, our Audi technician.
What We Found
Matt started by performing a thorough inspection of the problem area and discovered something strange. The doors wouldn’t open from the inside, which is understandable if the child lock is engaged. However, upon looking clearly, he found out that the child lock was disengaged, and the doors would still not open from the inside.
Immediately, Matt’s focus shifted toward identifying the root cause of the problem. The locks are governed by an electronic system, which might be the source of this issue. That was our technician’s first thought so he moved to find concrete answers.
Matt scanned the onboard ECU to find any relevant fault codes.
The following codes came up on his search:
- B122D29 – Lock unit for central locking (implausible signal)
- B14FF29 – Child safety lock motor (implausible signal)
The fault codes were relevant to the malfunction, which cleared up some doubts. However, at Fitch Autos we like to be 100% sure before employing a solution.
So, Matt moved to the next step to confirm his suspicions.
In-Depth Diagnosis
At Fitch Autos, we use a well-defined 15-step diagnostic procedure that allows Audi expert technicians, like Matt, to do their job more efficiently and effectively.
Matt began the diagnosis by performing a physical evaluation and then moving on to scan the ECU for the fault codes. He used the ODIS software to do the latter, and two codes popped up in the search B122D29 and B14FF29.
The error codes proved that the Audi Q8 had indeed a malfunctioning child lock and that the rear doors weren’t opening as a result of that.
There were two possible reasons affecting the rear doors:
-Either the SUV had some obstacle hindering the doors from opening or causing the system to register a fault.
OR
-The issue was a result of some software or electronic malfunction, which signaled the onboard computer to flash a warning sign.
Matt had already checked the doors as part of the physical inspection and found that no external obstacles were causing the malfunction.
So, our Audi technician moved to find answers to the next plausible theory. Luckily, the vehicle software scan turned up relevant error codes, which Matt compared with the Manufacturer’s Technical Bulletins. This step was taken to check if other Q8s had such an issue. If other cars have the same problem, the solutions are also present, making it easier to employ them.
Fortunately, there were other Q8s with this problem, and Audi had put out a software upgrade to solve the malfunction. So, all in all, Mr. H’s Q8 only needed a software update, which Matt performed to solve the issue.
Matt was fortunate enough to reach the solution thanks to his use of the 15-step diagnostic procedure. The process is designed to help our technicians catch faults that others might miss and ensures that our customers get a first-time fix.
Fixing the Fault
Error codes that arise as a result of elusive problems require an in-depth diagnosis. The solution itself is quite easy and usually right in front of you. But if the technician performs an incorrect diagnosis, not only is time wasted, but hard-earned money also goes down the drain.
The ‘child lock fault’ is the perfect example of an issue that is hard to solve without a proper diagnosis. However, our client trusted us to inspect his vehicle, employ a solution, and not waste his time. We delivered by satisfying our clients, which is what we seek to achieve at Fitch Autos.
Our Audi technician, Matt, downloaded the software in the client’s Q8 using the ODIS dealer software tool, and Mr. T was free to go after a few hours of waiting.
As soon as the software update was completed, our technician cleared all the error codes and rechecked the system to ensure they don’t reappear. Afterward, he performed a physical inspection and found that the rear doors were working as they should.
Mr. T was able to drive his Audi Q8 back home, as a happy man. That was in part due to the exceptional service provided by our Audi specialists. But more importantly, because of the value for money, we offer our clients at Fitch Autos.
Summary
Fitch Autos maintains a professional attitude towards our clients and ensures high levels of performance thanks to the 15- step diagnostic procedure.
Our Audi technicians always reach a conclusion, no matter how hard the problem might be. As a result, we are known as one of the best independent Audi garages in the area, with trained technicians imparting exemplary service to our clients.
One of our recent clients came into our garage, complaining about a child lock malfunction. Our expert technician Matt got on the case and immediately started the diagnostic procedure. The 15-step process helped our technician to find the root cause of the problem and solve it effectively.
Meanwhile, our client enjoyed the weather and a chilled drink. He knew that once you come to Fitch Autos, no problem is too difficult or too big to solve.
If you are looking for a trusted Audi garage to solve issues on your car, don’t hesitate to contact Fitch Autos on the following number 01543 401 258. You can talk to our Audi experts on the phone about your options and book an appointment for your visit.
