2001 A6 2.7T Electrical short.

[Kent McLean]

Huw Powell wrote:
> So now begins the tiresome task of tracing the short or fault.
> 
>> any ideas why this is happening?

Yup.  Your owner's manual should say what circuits that fuse
protects.  Unplug/disconnect/remove those items, and see if
the problem goes away (that is, see if the fuse *doesn't* blow).
If the fuse still blows, then the problem is probably between
the battery and the fuse.

Assuming the fuse doesn't blow, add one circuit at a time back
into the system, living with it for a day or two to see if the
reactivated load blows the fuse.

Fuse OK?  Add another circuit until you find the one the blows
the fuse. Then you can figure out what is causing that circuit
to blow the fuse (short out).  You may need a volt meter (or
just a test light) at this point, to help pinpoint the problem.
You can pick on up cheap enough at Sears or Radio Shack.
(I haven't used them, but here are some examples:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Electrical+Shop&pid=03482362000
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&pid=03482351000
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103174
)

As Huw suggested, look for areas of change -- that would be the
flexing of wires at door/trunk/hood hinges, breaking the wire
and causing the short. It might be "new" work done to fix another
problem, like a ham fisted technician installing a new electrical
device (radio, remote locks, alarm, etc.) and butchering the
suddenly-bad circuit in the process.  And relays can wear and
cause problems. Audi uses lots of relays for various things (but
not the headlights; go figure).

Since we're not all experts on the A6 2.7T, let us know which
circuit (and items on the circuit) fuse #14 protects, and we'll
go from there.

-- 
Kent McLean
'94 100 S Avant, "Moody"
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke