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Audi ur-quattro Voice Synthesizer Issues - 1986/7 Cars

All WR ur-quattros with green digital dashboards officially imported by VAG UK 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.

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 1985/6/7 cars (autocheck unit 857 907 399E) only one loudspeaker (usually the front left) is taken through the autocheck unit. Pin 16 is connected to the radio NF terminal (ISO connector A pin 2) and grounded to mute the radio/tape/CD and silence the other loudspeakers while the audible warning is issued on the one connected to the autocheck unit.

Pin assignments from Diagram 23 - 1986/7 Model Years:

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.

Notes

1. The loom includes two three-pin connectors - T3b and T3c. T3c 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, T3c effectively shorts the voice synthesiser 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 T3b/T3c have been improperly connected without having to dismantle the centre console:
   • Switch off the ignition.
   • Lift the handbrake boot.
   • Pull the grey/yellow wire off the handbrake switch F9.
   • Pull the grey/brown wire off the brake fluid level switch F34.
   • Check for continuity between the two wires.
2. If there is continuity, the centre console must be removed and the black/mauve three-pin connectors separated.
3. The factory diagram indicates that the oil warning circuit reverted to the 1983/4 arrangement. All actual vehicles so far examined retain the 1985 system.
4. The diode pack J67 is shown on the diagram, but is much better explained by Diagram 20. Its function is to combine the handbrake warning and brake fluid level warning into one warning light while retaining separate inputs for the voice synthesizer. It is physically located on the loom itself, taped to the harness just below the fusebox.
5. The factory diagram omits the feed to Pin 30 - power.
6. Diagram 36 was consulted for the radio connections.

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