Audi S8 Power Windows Dead, Regulator Reset Guide

The window regulator initialization error is a common issue I encountered with my 2005 Audi A8 4.2L. After replacing the vehicle battery, all power windows stopped responding, showing the same error code. The root cause was that the window control module lost its memory settings after the battery replacement. In most cases, this requires a simple reinitialization procedure using a diagnostic tool to reset the power window system. The process takes about 30 minutes for all windows. However, if reinitialization fails, the window motor or window regulator might need replacement. During my window troubleshooting, the mechanic first attempted the reset. When that didnt work, they found the driver side window motor had failed, likely due to age rather than the battery change. The repair involved replacing the window motor and performing a full system initialization. This was a moderate repair job taking about 2-3 hours. Its worth checking all windows individually, as sometimes multiple regulators can fail around the same time in these models. A proper diagnostic scan should determine if its just a reset needed or if there are failing components. Best to have this confirmed before authorizing any parts replacement.

Exact same thing happened with my S8. The window regulator error showed up after I replaced a blown fuse. The car electronics were acting strange and after checking the window switch and motor separately, ended up replacing both the regulator and motor assembly on the drivers side. The window troubleshooting process was straightforward but took longer than expected since we had to order the correct parts. Did you manage to get yours fixed? Curious about the repair cost and if any other issues popped up afterwards.

Yes, I managed to get everything fixed properly. The window regulator initialization was successful after replacing the battery, which ended up costing 290 Euro total including labor. The car electronics are now working perfectly and all windows function as they should. The window troubleshooting process was much smoother with my second mechanic who actually specialized in car electronics. They confirmed the initial diagnosis about the battery being the root cause rather than jumping straight to replacing window motors or regulators unnecessarily. No additional issues have surfaced since the repair. The window controls are responsive and the initialization settings have remained stable. The battery replacement solved both the window system errors and some other minor electrical quirks that had been occurring. One tip: having all window motor functions tested during the repair helped ensure there werent any underlying issues that could cause problems later. Its worth the extra diagnostic time to prevent future window regulator failures.

Thanks for sharing your experience. In my case, I finally got it sorted at a different repair shop. The window regulator and motor assembly replacement ended up costing 780 Euro including parts and labor. The power window system has been working flawlessly since then. The mechanic was thorough with the window troubleshooting and showed me the worn components after removal. Turns out the original window motor was pretty corroded, likely from years of use. The new parts took about a week to arrive, but the actual repair only took around 3 hours. Best decision was switching to a shop that actually specializes in electrical systems. They properly tested all window switches and components before and after the repair. No electrical gremlins or window issues have popped up in the 6 months since the fix. Money well spent compared to my previous mechanic who couldnt even diagnose the problem correctly.