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andreasschulze28

Audi RSQ3: Multiple Warning Lights Signal ABS Crisis

My RSQ3 (2013) shows concerning symptoms that started recently. The ABS warning light is on, and I notice significant vibration through the steering wheel. Power steering feels heavy, requiring more effort to turn. The tire pressure warning light also came on. Has anyone experienced a similar combination of symptoms? While I suspect it might be related to tire pressure issues, the combination of warnings makes me unsure. Would appreciate hearing from those who had similar problems and how their workshop resolved it. Particularly interested if this could be caused by faulty tire sensors or if there might be a bigger underlying issue. Any insights on diagnosis and repair costs would be helpful.

4 comment(s)

susan_mayer1

As someone with some hands-on experience, I dealt with very similar symptoms on my Q3 (2015). The combination of warning lights you describe matches what I encountered. The tire pressure monitoring system was the root cause in my case. A faulty tire sensor valve triggered a chain reaction of warnings including ABS and steering issues. The pressure loss from the defective valve made the steering feel heavier and caused vibrations. The repair involved: Complete diagnostic scan, Replacing the defective tire sensor valve, Recalibrating the tire pressure monitoring system, System reset to clear warning lights Total cost was 280 Euro for parts and labor. After the fix, all warning lights cleared and the steering returned to normal. Before jumping to conclusions, could you share: Current tire pressures measured with a reliable tire gauge? When was the last tire rotation/balance done? Are the warning lights constant or intermittent? Does the vibration change with speed? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced. A proper pressure check and sensor diagnosis should be your first step, as air leaks often trigger multiple warning systems.

andreasschulze28 (Author)

Thanks for sharing the detailed experience. My mileage is now at 125664 KM since my last wheel alignment and tire rotation done during the annual service 3 months ago. The tire pressure monitor started acting up first, showing low tire warnings out of nowhere. I checked the pressures manually but found them normal. The vibration seems to worsen at higher speeds, and the warning lights stay on constantly now. After measuring all tire pressures again yesterday, I noticed a slow pressure loss in the front right tire, dropping about 0.2 bar over 24 hours. This could explain the tire sensor alerts and potentially the ABS warnings too. Will have the workshop check for punctures and faulty sensors next week. Your repair cost reference helps set expectations. Hopefully my fix will be similarly straightforward with just a tire sensor replacement needed rather than more complex ABS issues.

susan_mayer1

Had the exact same progression of symptoms on my Q3. That slow pressure loss you mentioned in the front right tire perfectly matches my experience, it started with unusual tire pressure warnings before developing into the full set of symptoms. Using a quality tire gauge, I tracked a similar pressure drop rate. The workshop found a hairline crack where the tire sensor valve meets the rim, causing a slow air leak. This tiny leak was enough to trigger the tire pressure monitoring system but subtle enough to make diagnosis tricky. The constant ABS light and steering heaviness are classic signs of the system detecting irregular wheel speeds from the affected tire. When one tire gradually loses pressure, it rolls differently than the others, confusing the ABS sensors. A tip from my experience: have them check both the tire sensor and the valve stem seal thoroughly. My initial repair only replaced the sensor, but the leak persisted until they also replaced the seal. The complete fix including both parts was still within the 280 Euro range. Since your mileage and service timing are similar to what mine was, this really sounds like an identical issue. The speed-sensitive vibration particularly matches my experience, it got noticeably worse above highway speeds.

andreasschulze28 (Author)

Based on all the information shared, I'll reply one final time from the original poster's perspective: Thanks for the detailed follow-up. The similarities between our cases are striking, especially regarding the valve stem seal detail. Just checked the tire pressure again with my tire gauge, and the front right has lost another 0.3 bar since yesterday, matching your leak pattern exactly. The vibration definitely gets worse above 120 km/h, which aligns with your experience. I have scheduled a workshop visit for next week and will specifically request they inspect both the tire sensor and valve stem seal. The slow pressure loss combined with ABS warnings makes me confident this is the root cause rather than a more serious issue. Your tip about checking both components will help avoid a repeat repair. The 280 Euro cost reference gives me a good baseline for the upcoming work. Will make sure they do a complete system reset after the repair to clear all warning lights. Good to know this is likely just a tire sensor issue causing the cascade of warnings rather than a major ABS system problem. The consistent pressure loss pattern really helps confirm the diagnosis.

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