Audi Door Handle Sensors Stop Responding, Keyless Fix

Had this exact same problem with my 2012 Audi A4 a few months back. Have some experience working on basic car electronics, but had to get professional help for this one. The door mechanism was clicking fine with the remote like yours, but the keyless access completely stopped responding. After checking online forums, I suspected either a door sensor issue or wiring fault. The workshop diagnosed it as a damaged wire connection near the door handle electronics, the constant door movement had caused wear on the cables over time. They found a loose plug connection between the door handle sensor and the main door actuator. The repair involved securing the connection properly and replacing a small section of wiring. Total cost was 95 Euro for parts and labor. Before jumping to replacing the entire handle unit, would recommend having the wiring connections checked first, as these are often the culprit with keyless system failures. To help diagnose your specific case better: Does this happen on all doors or just one? Have you noticed any other electrical issues recently? Did the problem start suddenly or gradually get worse?

Just wanted to update, after 161511 KM on my A6, the workshop found the problem was a failed door handle sensor module combined with a wiring fault in the connection harness. The electric door system worked perfectly after replacing both components. Parts and labor came to 320 Euro. The door mechanism works flawlessly now with both keyless entry and remote operation. A quick voltage test showed the door electronics were getting inconsistent power due to the damaged wiring before the repair. Worth checking this first before replacing the entire handle unit.

Thanks for the update on your A6 repair. Your experience matches what I encountered, these door handle electronics often fail due to a combination of issues rather than just one component. After my initial wire repair on my A4, I actually ended up having to replace the door handle sensor module as well about 2 months later when the problem returned. The door mechanism problems with these models typically start with wiring issues but can eventually affect the sensor modules themselves due to power fluctuations. My complete repair ended up costing 280 Euro with both the wiring harness and sensor replacement, slightly less than yours. Good tip about the voltage testing, checking the door electronics power supply is definitely a crucial diagnostic step. The electric door system can be tricky to diagnose since the door switch and handle sensors are interconnected. When the door handle electronics start failing, it's worth checking both the wiring and sensors thoroughly to avoid repeat repairs. For anyone else reading with similar issues: document if the problem happens consistently or intermittently, as this can help determine if its primarily a wiring or sensor module issue in the door mechanism.

Just wanted to close the loop on this thread. After getting different opinions, I took my A6 to an independent shop that specializes in VW/Audi repairs. The door handle electronics were indeed the main culprit, but there was also damage to the wiring harness that needed fixing. The sensor issue turned out to be directly related to the wiring fault causing irregular power supply to the door electronics. The complete fix required both a new door handle sensor unit and rewiring work. Total repair cost was 320 Euro, which included labor. The door mechanism now responds perfectly to both keyless entry and the remote. The voltage readings are now stable and consistent across all door electronics. For others searching with similar problems, make sure to have both the wiring and sensors checked, as these door switch issues often involve multiple components. Getting the complete repair done at once saved me from potential future problems with the electric door system.