icarusi@hotmail

I managed to trace it back to a mis-inserted fuse. When I originally checked the fuse it was out in the wild, with rain wind, and fuse box being on the offside, meant I was in danger from oncoming traffic and rain getting on the electrics, so I took the fuse out and checked it inside the car then got out to put it back in the fuse box. I thought I'd put in the right place, but as a double check I used a count-back from the populated end of the fuses, shown on the card clipped to the fuse box cover panel. When I decided to check the circuitry back to the ECU, I figured the fuse box was an easy point to eliminate. And when I removed the cover I had a JDLR moment (just doesn't look right), so I did the count back again but this time spotted and empty fuse space right in the hinge corner where it's difficult to see. Also the row of fuses above doesn't line up to the card diagram. So my original positioning with a single space form the next fuse was correct. As soon as I turned the ignition key, I could hear the pump run, and saw the voltage drop on the accessory socket, so I didn't bother firing it up, until I had enough time to run it up to working temperature, and make sure there were no more surprises. I've now marked on the card where the fuses are actually present. I've also made a blow-up and mirror image of the fuse box, from the tiny handbook pic, which is only 36mm high, too tiny to see clearly, and a mirror image of reality. Essentially the manual pic and card, are just the RH drive car images, just chucked in regardless. Wonder if the LH drive Audi owners manual is similarly slipshod (if they do a model with that fuse box position)? I recommend owners with this fuse box to mark the card *as populated* and take a pic of the box vs the roadside alternative faff. 1) card as suppled. 2) card now marked where populated. 3 actual fuse box.

On my 2009 TSI the FPC is under the rear seat, set into a recess in a black plastic plate, covering the fuel pump access hole.

No power to Fuel Pump Controller on 2009 1.4 TSI I had a recent kangaroo petrol problem, which degenerated into a complete stall, unrecovered, requiring a recovery to home. I'd previously had a FPC fail before and suspected the same again. To be safe, I jumped power to the fuel pump, and heard the motor work, so assumed that was ok, and ordered a new FPC . I fitted the replacement today and checked for a voltage drop at the accessory socket, when the ignition is switched on, which usually starts some FP motor noise. I didn't get either, but decided to start it and it started ok. I let it running to warm up, but when I returned after a few minutes the engine had died. I assumed the engine had started on the fuel fed when I'd temporarily jumped power to the pump. I decided to check for power to the FPC and got no reading when it's disconnected, but don't know if this system always has power in, or whether the ECU can cut that power, if it senses the FPC is disconnected. The FPC has 8 pins in, 2 power and 6 others. It has 5 out to the pump, 2 power and I assume the other 3 are for the fuel gauge sensor. If the ECU doesn't cut power to the FPC when disconnected, then the problem is further forward. I checked the fuses and couldn't find any blown so far, although I'll check again. I haven't checked the ECU relay yet, as I assumed the fact it started and ran meant it was ok. I had a look for circuit diagrams, but the one I found for 2009 was showing an FPR rather than a FPC, so I don't know what the 6 pins do exactly, although 3 of them are likely pass-through of the FG sensor. Before I start looking for dodgy wiring or connectors, if anyone has any ideas, or info re this particular ECU>ECU relay and FPC interconnection, or any similar fails with this combination, and possible solutions.

Some interesting points in this similar topic https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=135&t=1773743 Just had a search through that website and there's very little on springs failing regularly, although the MOT place and the place I'm getting the repair are saying it's fairly common, although they weren't qualifying the cause. Obviously potholes is a bigger current problem than it was and speed bumps have proliferated.

I'm going to ask for the broken parts but I doubt the brand will IDable.

I Just got a MOT fail on the nearside broken front spring. It failed 3 years before on both front spring and I did actually hear one break immediately prior to that MOT. I drove much more carefully since then because I wasn't sure if the rear springs would expire. I wasn't expecting another failure so soon. It's a very low mileage late 2009 model, and very carefully driven since the previous fails, so I'm now very suspicious about the replacement spring and the suspension. I did a quick search here and didn't find much grief on broken springs, unless it's too common to mention. There's been no damage to tyre or wheel, no tracking or tyre wear problems. I'll know if there's other stuff when I get it fixed. I've been driving since '71 and *never* had a broken spring 'til now. From '80 on my cars had helical springs. I keep my cars for 10+ years until maintenance costs gets uneconomical. There was a recent occasion when I went over a drainage grid, on the road separating the Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs. It looks like they've resurfaced at some time and haven't raised the grids to suit, There was a bit of a clunk but nothing massive, and that's the only memorable instance since the original springs broke. Are current springs/suspensions now more rubbish at lasting than circa 10 years ago?