Testing data exchange between engine/ABS/gearbox control unit, instrument cluster — AUDI
Testing data exchange between engine/ABS/gearbox control unit, instrument cluster on Audi: factory workshop procedure for engines AGB, AZB.
Workshop procedure for AUDI — the factory write-up, straight from real workshop data.
📐 30 workshop diagrams for AGB
Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.
📋 Procedure
AZB
Notes:
Data is exchanged between individual control units by means of a bus system.
"Bus" is used to describe a system that transports and distributes data.
The wires between the control units that are used to transfer the data are known as signal wires.
These signal wires are used for serial transmission of data, i.e. data is sent to each of the connected control units in turn.
Testing the bus system
The test principle depends on the number of control units/systems connected to the data bus.
The fault table instructed you to check the data exchange between the engine control unit and CAN-compatible control units.
Start the engine (if the engine does not start, please switch on the ignition).
Connect the vehicle diagnostic, testing and information system VAS 5051 or fault reader V.A.G 1551 and select the engine electronics control unit with "address word" 01 => Page
01-8
.
Rapid data transfer
HELP
Select function XX
Indicated on display:
Enter "08" to select the function "Reading measured value block" and confirm entry with Q key.
Reading measured value block
Q
Enter display group number XXX
Indicated on display:
Enter "125" for "display group number 125" and confirm entry with Q key.
Read measured value block 125
⇒
1
2
3
4
When adjacent display appears:
Check displays in display zones 1 to 4.
CAN-compatible control units are displayed with the engine control unit:
No display (display zone is blank): Engine control unit not CAN-compatible
Display 1:CAN-compatible control unit is a data bus user
Display 0:CAN-compatible control unit is not a data bus user (e.g. in case of fault)
Read measured value block 125
⇒
ABS 1
Instrument cluster 1
Example:
Note:
Display group 125 indicates the systems which communicate with the engine control unit via the CAN data bus. (The ABS and instrument cluster control unit in the example). If these systems are not installed, the respective display zones in display group 125 remain blank. "Gearbox 1" would be indicated in display zone 1 and "Air conditioner 1" in display zone 4 if these systems communicate with the engine control unit via "CAN".
Read measured value block 126
⇒
1
2
3
4
Check in the same way with display group number 126.
Note:
Display group 126 indicates the systems which communicate with the engine control unit via the CAN data bus. If these systems are not installed, the respective display zones remain blank.
The following systems are displayed in display group 126, however only if they are available:
Display zone 1:Automatic distance control; display: "Distance 1".
Display zone 2:Steering angle sensor; display: "Steering angle 1"
Display zone 3:Airbag; display: "Airbag 1".
Display zone 4:Vehicle's electrical system; display: "el. CE 1".
Press the ⇒key.
Rapid data transfer
HELP
Enter address word XX
Indicated on display:
Press the 0 key twice for the "automatic test sequence" address word and confirm entry with Q key.
The fault memory is then interrogated for all systems in the vehicle which are capable of self-diagnosis
If a control unit answers with its identification, the number of faults stored or "No fault detected" appears on the display.
Any system faults stored will be displayed in sequence and printed out. The V.A.G 1551 will then transmit the next address word.
V.A.G - SELF DIAGNOSIS
HELP
1 - Rapid data transfer*
2 - Flash code output*
The automatic test sequence has ended when the following appears on the display:
If a fault is displayed relating to "Data bus drive" or "...CAN bus":
Check that the engine control unit and other CAN-compatible control units installed are suitable for this vehicle (part no. and code).
If the correct control units are installed:
Check that multiple connectors for control units are properly seated.
If the multi-pin connectors are firmly seated:
Check the CAN bus system.
Checking a "two-line bus system"
The communication between three or more control units is carried out over a "two-line bus system".
Evaluate the faults stored in the control units.
This helps to localise line faults.
Example 1:
With the faults stored in the fault memories it can be seen that the control unit 1 does not communicate with control units 2 and 3.
Control unit · Faults stored in fault memory
1 · - No message from control unit 2 / - No message from control unit 3
2 · - No message from control unit 1
3 · - No message from control unit 1
Switch ignition off.
Disconnect the control units connected to each other via the bus lines and investigate whether there is a short circuit between the bus lines.
=> Current Flow Diagrams, Electrical Fault-Finding and Fitting Locations
If no fault can be detected in the bus lines exchange control unit 1.
Example 2:
With the faults stored in the fault memories it can be seen that the control unit 2 does not communicate with control units 1 and 3.
Control unit · Faults stored in fault memory
1 · - No message from control unit 2
2 · - No message from control unit 1 / - No message from control unit 3
3 · - No message from control unit 2
Switch ignition off.
Disconnect the control units connected to each other via the bus lines and investigate whether there is a short circuit between the bus lines.
=> Current Flow Diagrams, Electrical Fault-Finding and Fitting Locations
If no fault can be detected in the bus lines exchange control unit 2.
Example 3:
With the faults stored in the fault memories it can be seen that there is no sending or receiving operation possible in any of the control units.
Control unit · Faults stored in fault memory
1 · - Data bus drive defective
2 · - Data bus drive defective
3 · - Data bus drive defective
Switch ignition off.
Disconnect the control units that are linked by the bus wires and check for a short circuit between the bus wires
=> Current Flow Diagrams, Electrical Fault-Finding and Fitting Locations
Check the bus wires for short to positive and short to earth.
If cause of fault "Data bus drive defective" cannot be found in bus lines check whether one of the control units is responsible for the fault.
All the control units that communicate via the CAN data bus are still disconnected. The ignition is switched off.
Connect one of the control units.
Connect fault reader V.A.G 1551. Switch the ignition on and erase the fault memory of the control unit that has just been connected Terminate fault readout by selecting function 06 "End output".
Switch the ignition off and then on again.
Leave the ignition switched on for 10 seconds. Then interrogate the fault memory of the control unit that has just been connected, using the fault reader.
If the fault "Data bus drive defective" is now indicated, replace the control unit which has just been connected.
If fault "Signal wire defect" is not read out, connect the next control unit and repeat the procedure.
TorqFix answers live for your specific car — tell it the engine code and it serves the matching sequence, torque figures and wiring for that exact variant.
Ask about my car →Other AUDI procedures
- Checking output stages for ignition coils
- Testing secondary air inlet valve -N112
- Removing and installing fuel gauge sender -G
- Testing fuel gauge sender
- Servicing accelerator mechanism - vehicles with 6-cylinder turbo engine
- Removing and installing toothed belt – Audi · 56 torque figures
- Removing engine – Audi A8 D3 · 41 torque figures
- Removing camshaft timing chain from camshafts – Audi A6/A7 C7 · 38 torque figures
- Installing engine – Audi A8 D4 · 36 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshaft timing chain · 29 torque figures
Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.