Pre sense system in Audi is an advanced Audi safety technology that’s designed to keep you safe on the road by applying some safety measures. However, the system can malfunction due to a dusty pressure sensor, dirty radar sensor, short circuit, or blocked camera and turn on an error message.
Learning how to fix Audi pre sense malfunction can help you fix simple errors to keep your Audi functional properly. But if serious problems like corroded brake lines or flash memory failure cause this issue, you’ll require the aid of Audi authorized repair shop.
Article Summary
What Does Audi Pre Sense Malfunction Mean?
Pre-sense is a safety feature on Audi that alerts drivers of potential safety issues before occurring. This system uses radar sensors and cameras to detect imminent collisions. Pre-sense reduces injuries by tensing front seat belts automatically and closing windows immediately to prevent debris from entering the car.
This feature works depending on car sensor including ACC sensor and pressure sensor. When these sensors detect any issues, they turn on pre-sense malfunction error message to warn the driver. Potential issues that can trigger pre-sense malfunction messages are dirty cameras, faulty sensors, and damaged brake lines. Failure of pre-sense system can make your Audi risky to drive.
How To Fix Audi Pre Sense Malfunction?
Below are some most common reasons that can activate pre sense malfunction error message on your Audi along with solutions:
1. Clean Dusty ACC and Pressure Sensors
ACC sensor determines distance between you and other vehicle in front. A dusty ACC sensor can malfunction and affect a pre-sense system that can trigger an error message. ACC sensors can get dusty due to driving a car through heavy rain. If so, clean the ACC sensor and then switch it off and on the car. The error message should disappear.
Pressure sensors determine each tire current pressure and work with a pre-sense system to detect flat tires. Faulty pressure sensor can deliver wrong information to a computer and turn on the warning message.
If pressure sensor gets damaged, brake pedal might not respond correctly and you may struggle to stop your vehicle. In this case, you may need to inspect and calibrate pressure sensor.
2. Inspect Radar Sensors
Radar sensors manage pre-sense system functions. Radar electronics require sufficient space around it to function properly to detect vehicles at greater distances. If radar sensor is contaminated with too much dirt or debris, it can malfunction and activate a warning message. To fix this issue, turn off DRL system and other lights to inspect if the message is deactivated.
3. Clean Blocked Camera
Pre-sense feature depends on front camera to detect objects in front. If something obstructs front camera behind rearview mirror, it can disturb the performance of pre-sense. Hence, your car can fail to spot a vehicle in front, particularly during making a U-turn. If so, you can have a pre-sense malfunction on car dashboard.
To verify, check camera and windscreen. Make sure camera and windscreen are clean and nothing blocking the visibility of the camera. A camera that is placed between central mirror and windshield can get disconnected due to the bumps in the road. If so, re-attaching the camera cable will fix the problem.
4. Replace Damaged Electric Short Circuit
Pre-sense system consists of plenty of electrical components including a control unit hard drive and camera. Short circuits can burn hard drives, blow fuses, and interrupt power supply. If so, you have to replace a damaged hard drive or fuse and reload software. Short circuits can happen due to pinched wires or water leaking in fuse box.
5. Repair Corroded Brake Lines
Damaged brake system can trigger a pre-sense malfunction message in Audi. If so, brake line won’t respond properly while stopping vehicle. Your car can also skid before stopping after pressing brakes on a wet road and can cause serious accidents. To fix this problem, you have to replace faulty lines with new band-matched ones.
6. Update Flash Memory
This module controls emergency braking systems and pre-sense features in Audi. If this system fails, your car can show a Pre-sense malfunctions message. Flash memory can fail due to disconnecting car battery for a longer time. If you ignore this issue, it can lead to failure of tire pressure sensor. To fix this issue, you have to update ECU with latest software using diagnostic tool.
7. Avoid Fast Driving
Sometimes pre-sense malfunction messages can come on due to simple mistakes like improper driving behavior. When you pass another vehicle at a higher speed, target’s relative velocity increases and makes an audible sound. System can’t register too small or too large velocity and it can cause the malfunction.
If so, you can avoid this issue by keeping speed difference with another vehicle around 35 km when overtaking. Practice safe driving behavior and follow all safety measures when driving on busy roads.
How To Disable Pre Sense System in Audi?
If pre sense malfunction light turns on in Audi and starts beeping, you can disable the system to get rid of it. To disable it, go to vehicle selections on main audio/ navigation screen. Then go to drive assistance and choose individual.
Now you can turn off pre pre-sense system or change it too late to keep the system active but not sensitive. Pre sense system is a crucial safety technology on Audi that responds to upcoming dangers on road faster than humans to ensure safe driving. So you should disable this system.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Audi Pre Sense Malfunction?
Fixing Audi pre sense malfunction can cost anywhere from $500 to $2000. For example, mechanic may charge around $550 for diagnosing an Audi pre-sense malfunction. If it needs to recalibrate the system to remove the message, they’ll charge an additional $600 to $650.
Replacing damaged pre-sense sensors can cost around $1000 to $2000 per piece. But if you are lucky enough, you can get the job done from the Audi service center under warranty. Audi new car comes with four years or 50,000 miles of warranty. The Audi Certified pre-owned (CPO) features also cover 1 one-year or 20,000-mile warranty.
FAQs
Why Does Audi Pre-sense Braking For No Reason?
If your Audi Pre-sense brakes automatically, it means you are driving too fast and approaching an object too quickly. The system provides you a warning signal through baking and encourages you to apply brakes. Your vehicle may also brake itself if it detects possibility of collision.
Where is The Audi Pre-sense Sensor Located?
Pre-sense system uses a radar sensor that is placed in rear bumper. It detects an awaiting rear-end collision and initiates defensive safety measures including sliding sunroof, closing windows, and pre-tensioning the front seat belts.
Why is My Audi Pre-sense Light On?
Pre-sense warning lights may turn on if sensors get blocked or obstructed by dirt. Internal issues like blown fuse, and damaged wiring can also trigger this light. Contact nearest Audi dealership to deactivate this warning light.
Final Words
After knowing how to fix Audi pre-sense malfunction, you should now be able to remove the error message easily. Pre-sense system is a vital safety technology in Audi. So you should make sure this system is working appropriately.
If you find any malfunction in pre-sense technology, take the car to the nearest Audi dealership for proper diagnosis and fix the issue accurately.
