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lillylehmann6

Audi S5 SOS System Malfunction Causing Warning Lights

My Audi S5 2012 keeps displaying error messages and warning lights in the speedometer. The automotive electronics seem to point toward an SOS signal / emergency call system failure. The mechanic I visited last time wasnt very helpful. Car has 55872km on the clock and runs on gasoline. Has anyone experienced similar issues with their car safety system? Looking for recommendations on how to tackle this and which repair shop might be trustworthy for this type of problem.

4 comment(s)

martinhunter1

Had a similar telematics system issue with my Audi S4 2015. The emergency call failure warnings kept appearing on the dash along with unusual system reset notifications. The root cause turned out to be corroded wiring connections to the emergency call module located behind the headliner. Water had seeped through a poorly sealed roof antenna mount, causing damage to the wiring harness and connector pins. The repair required: Complete removal of headliner, Replacement of the main telematics control unit, Installation of new wiring harness, Resealing of the roof antenna mount, System programming and testing This was classified as a safety-critical repair since the emergency call system is a mandatory safety feature. The issue took about 6 hours to diagnose and fix properly. While the car remained driveable, leaving it unfixed could affect other connected safety systems over time. For this type of automotive electronics work, recommend finding a shop that specializes in Audi electrical systems and has proper diagnostic equipment. The correct repair requires both mechanical expertise for the headliner removal and electronic diagnostic capabilities.

lillylehmann6 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had almost identical diagnostic codes pop up in my 2012 S5 last winter. The control module needed replacement and reprogramming after water damage from a leaky sunroof seal. Really interested to know what repair costs you ended up with and if the malfunction stayed fixed? Mine has been working fine since the repair but wondering if I should watch for any related issues down the line.

martinhunter1

Since having my S4 serviced by a specialized workshop, the emergency call system has worked flawlessly. The total repair cost was surprisingly reasonable at 95 Euro, which covered fixing a faulty cable connection in the telematics module. Much simpler than initially feared, no need for complete module replacement like in your case. The malfunction has not returned in several months of driving. The diagnostic codes showed it was just a loose connector causing the call failure warnings, rather than actual water damage. The mechanic also checked surrounding components while the system was open, confirming no other issues that could cause problems later. For preventive maintenance, they recommended periodic checks of the system during regular service intervals to catch any potential connection issues before they trigger SOS signal errors again.

lillylehmann6 (Author)

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. After seeing similar issues mentioned, I finally took my S5 to a certified workshop specializing in automotive electronics. The repair involved replacing the damaged control module and rewiring the emergency call system. Total cost came to 780 Euro including labor and parts. The technician found extensive corrosion in the telematics unit from the leaky sunroof. They also discovered and fixed some related wiring issues that were causing intermittent diagnostic codes. Been about 3 months now and all warning lights have stayed off. The SOS signal system works perfectly. Really glad I got this sorted by professionals who knew exactly what to look for. They also applied additional sealant around the sunroof to prevent future water damage. For anyone facing similar problems, definitely worth finding a specialized shop with proper diagnostic equipment rather than trying general mechanics who might miss the root cause.

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