Audi S3 won't pass OPI

[Tiki]

Well i failed a second OPI yesterday on the S3, and its one issue really that's preventing me from passing. My check engine light will not come on, whether i have a code or put the key to acc. I've pulled the cluster and it looks like it's never been removed before. I verified the CEL is a led soldered to the cluster circuit board, so unlikely its been removed. Checked to see if the light window was painted over etc and doesn't look like that either. Wondering if anyone might have any ideas as to things i can test/diagnose in relation to the CEL. I'm thinking maybe a wire from the ECU to the cluster? Is it possible to turn off the CEL function in VAGCOM?

Lastly, can anyone recommend a shop that may be able to figure this out if i cannot? (probably George?)

[e30mclow]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

So when you turn on the key, the light doesn't illuminate?
That was the case with my rs4 cluster, which was down to someone prying the led up from the solder. I just pushed it back down firmly and it worked.

Failing that, perhaps a cheap A4 unit from Europe/Ebay to drop in (with corrected mileage) to get you through?
They can't be any more than $100-130.

[Tiki]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

So when you turn on the key, the light doesn't illuminate?
That was the case with my rs4 cluster, which was down to someone prying the led up from the solder. I just pushed it back down firmly and it worked.

Failing that, perhaps a cheap A4 unit from Europe/Ebay to drop in (with corrected mileage) to get you through?
They can't be any more than $100-130.

Interesting, did you remove the needle on the cluster to gain access to the led? i was scared to take the needle off

[witchcraftz]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

Maybe your car uses another light to indicate faults like in this thread?

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...working/page2?


Or maybe the LED is dead. :(

[e30mclow]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

Yes, I removed the needle.

I placed a napkin on the face of the speedometer (with the bezel removed obviously), and then slid a blunt bread knife between the face and the back of the needle.
I then rotated the knife so as to pry the needle upwards from as close to the butt of the needle as possible. It comes up easy.

With that off, the face plate on the speedo turns and pops off, exposing the bulbs beneath. I bet there's tape over the back side of the speedo overlay.

Skip to 3.40 here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI6DxQpTonA

[Blau_RS2]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

Last year I imported a 2000 S4 Avant from Japan. From what I understand, Japanese cars did not fully adopt OBDII standards until 2002 and therefore did not require a check engine light. They came with an OBD II port and the ECU still stored codes but the CEL was not required. My S4 definitely did not have a CEL. It didn't even show up on the cluster and was not shown in the owner's manual. Did your S3 come with the owners manual? I was concerned about that too until I sorted it out.

This link confirms that OBD2 did not become standard in Japan until 2002. It doesn't say that you won't have a CEL but it might help explain why you don't have it.

http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/s...software#japan

[e30mclow]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

Last year I imported a 2000 S4 Avant from Japan. From what I understand, Japanese cars did not fully adopt OBDII standards until 2002 and therefore did not require a check engine light. They came with an OBD II port and the ECU still stored codes but the CEL was not required. My S4 definitely did not have a CEL. It didn't even show up on the cluster and was not shown in the owner's manual. Did your S3 come with the owners manual? I was concerned about that too until I sorted it out.

This link confirms that OBD2 did not become standard in Japan until 2002. It doesn't say that you won't have a CEL but it might help explain why you don't have it.

http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/s...software#japan

So did you swap the ECU & Cluster to make it work?

[Blau_RS2]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

So did you swap the ECU & Cluster to make it work?

The whole thing with the 15 year rule is that the car you are importing does not need to meet the standards of a car built in Canada. Therefore if the car didn't have a CEL in Japan, it doesn't need one here. My Japanese S4 only had the 2 front O2 sensors and no secondary air system which all the Canadian S4's would have had but I wouldn't have been required to add those to make it the compliant.

It is only cars that are not 15 years old that have to meet those requirements. (other than a few safety things like DRL's).

Now if the light was there but wasn't working, that would be a different story. Ryan just needs to show that the light never existed and he should be fine.

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

Ryan,

I have replaced LED's in clusters before, let me know if that's something you want to try.

Have you tried giving the LED power to see if it lights up?

[Tiki]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

Ryan,

I have replaced LED's in clusters before, let me know if that's something you want to try.

Have you tried giving the LED power to see if it lights up?

Haven't tried that yet, basically down to a oil leak i cannot seem to figure out (Maybe turbo oil return line) and the CEL issue. I was debating just bringing the car to you guys and seeing if you can figure the last couple things out. Do you guys do OPI's as well? might just get you guys to do everything at this point lol, getting sick of wrenching on my cars every day this summer haha. At this point i dont think its gunna make the Sept 10th show :(

[kujiwara]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

try another cluster? maybe mk4 clusters work? I don't see why they would remove a function (CEL) for a tiny market especially if the car is made in germany. i have a rosstech cable to check your cluster if you need help.

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

Haven't tried that yet, basically down to a oil leak i cannot seem to figure out (Maybe turbo oil return line) and the CEL issue. I was debating just bringing the car to you guys and seeing if you can figure the last couple things out. Do you guys do OPI's as well? might just get you guys to do everything at this point lol, getting sick of wrenching on my cars every day this summer haha. At this point i dont think its gunna make the Sept 10th show :(

We don't do OOPI's any more.

Everything else isn't a problem, can get it figured out one way or another.

Kyle and his Black S3 might be able to give some insight?

[VW337]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

I spoke with Kyle last week and his S3 doesn't have a check engine light either and he passed the OPI without any issues. Maybe get in touch with him as Colin suggested.

[Tiki]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

I spoke with Kyle last week and his S3 doesn't have a check engine light either and he passed the OPI without any issues. Maybe get in touch with him as Colin suggested.

Yea unfortunately everyone i talk too "knows a guy" and seem to pass OPI's with no issues. At this point i might call AMVIC and see what they say, whatever mechanic does the 3rd OPI is going to be very cautious as they might audit my car at this point lol. I never realized your car had to be showroom condition just because its from another province, seems a little overboard when there are so many unsafe cars on the road. If i would have known i had to put this much work & money in just to register the car i probably wouldn't have bought it haha.

[stefan]

Re: Audi S3 won't pass OPI

seems a little overboard when there are so many unsafe cars on the road.

This...
Such a pain. I had to have an interior light bulb replaced when I did mine. Yet I can drive down Deerfoot behind panel vans that are visibly tracking several degrees off of true, or the same damn Navigator I see every day with a 6 inch drop on only one front corner because there is no spring left...etc. It doesn't add up. I've seen DOT out safety checking private vehicles once in 20 years of driving.