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Audi ur-quattro Voice Synthesizer Issues - 1983 Model Year.

All WR ur-quattros with green digital dashboards officially imported by VAG UK from 85-D-901742 onwards were initially equipped with feature code M447 - an autocheck unit with electronic voice synthesiser. This unit was developed so that some twenty sensors could be monitored without cluttering the dashboard with a plethora of warning lights. It also allowed warnings to be prioritized - brake system defects are more important than washer bottle fluid levels.

On many cars this unit has been disabled, either by ignorant radio installers or deliberately to mask faults so that a car can be sold to an unsuspecting buyer.

The voice synthesiser is a critical safety feature and should always be maintained in working order.

For those with imported cars, the German version is here.

On 1983 cars (autocheck unit 857 907 399A) the left and right outputs from the radio pass through the unit to the fader. If the autocheck wants to issue a warning, it suppresses the radio audio output and outputs its audible warning on both left and right channels - this then goes to all loudspeakers via the fader.

Voice synthesizer pin assignments from Diagram 9 - 1983 Model Year:

Viewing the connector with the prongs on the right and the side locating lugs at the top, the upper left pin is Pin 1, with numbering proceeding along the connector to Pin 18 at the top right. The bottom row is also numbered from left to right, from 19 to 35. If in doubt, check the wire colours.

For those wishing to restore a vehicle with the fader mounted on the driver's side trim, the connector housing part numbers are 443 971 966A and 443 971 999. Audi part number 000 979 225A is a wire with the correct pin crimped onto both ends - it just pushes in to the connector from the rear. Seven will be needed. The fader is 443 035 621A. The fader has a helpful 'oben' cast into it, which means 'up'. If the fader has simply been cut out of the harness, the wire colours are:

1. The loom includes two three-pin connectors - T3 and T3a. T3a has a single dark blue/green wire looped into all three pins. These connectors should only be pushed together in vehicles that do not have the voice synthesiser. Their purpose is to connect F9 (hand brake warning), F21 (hydraulic pressure warning), F34 (brake fluid level) and F79 (hydraulic pressure warning) to the (single) dashboard light. When they are connected, T3a effectively shorts the voice synthesizer inputs, destroys its discrimination between the signals, and can cause spurious and persistent audible warnings such as "Attention - Brake system defective!" to be issued. If found connected in a vehicle with a voice synthesiser, these connectors should be separated and taped over to prevent inadvertent reassembly.
   There is a simple check to see if T3/T3a have been improperly connected:
   • Switch off the ignition.
   • Lift the handbrake boot.
   • Pull the grey/yellow wire off the handbrake switch F9.
   • Pull the grey/yellow wire off the brake fluid level switch F34.
   • Check for continuity between the two grey/yellow wires.
2. If there is continuity, the centre console must be removed and the black/mauve three-pin connectors separated.
3. The radio and fader connections are provisional and should be checked on the vehicle.

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