Testing data exchange between engine control unit, ABS/EDL control unit and gearbox control unit — AUDI
Testing data exchange between engine control unit, ABS/EDL control unit and gearbox control unit on Audi: factory workshop procedure for engines APT, ARG.
Workshop procedure for AUDI — the factory write-up, straight from real workshop data.
📐 39 workshop diagrams for APT
Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.
📋 Procedure
ARG AVV
Notes:
The data exchange between the various control units is carried out via a data bus.
The term "bus" refers to a system for transmitting and distributing data.
The wires which connect the control units and convey the data between them are called data wires.
Data is transmitted via data wires in sequence, i.e. in a specific order to the connected control units (e.g. engine rpm and accelerator pedal position).
Testing bus system
If the fault table indicates that the data exchange between the engine control unit, gearbox control unit, ABS control unit and dash panel insert should be tested:
Check that the multi-pin connectors on the control units are securely fitted.
Connect vehicle diagnostic, testing and information system VAS 5051 (or fault reader V.A.G 1551) and select engine electronics control unit by entering address word "01" ( => Page
01-3
.)
When doing this the engine must be idling.
Press key 0 twice for address word "Automatic test sequence" and confirm entry with Q key. The V.A.G 1551 transmits all known address words one after the other.
When a control unit answers with its identification the number of stored faults appears on the display or "No fault recognised".
Any system faults that are stored will be displayed one after the other 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 the display shows faults relating to the "Data bus drive" or "No message from ...." :
Read out the faults stored in the control units.
Check that the vehicle is fitted with the correct control units for engine, gearbox, ABS, dash panel insert and AICC (Autonomous Intelligent Cruise Control - if fitted); check Part Nos. and coding.
If the correct control units are installed:
Testing a "two-wire bus system"
Three or more control units communicating via a "two-wire bus system"
Read out the faults stored in the control units.
This will help to trace a fault in the wiring.
Example 1:
From the faults present in the fault memories, you can see that control unit 1 has no connection to control units 2 or 3.
Control unit · Faults present 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 off ignition.
Disconnect the control units which are linked by the bus wires and check whether there is an open circuit in one of the bus wires
=> Current flow diagrams, Electrical fault finding and Fitting locations binder
If no fault can be found in the bus wires replace control unit 1.
Example 2:
From the faults present in the fault memories, you can see that control unit 2 has no connection to control units 1 or 3.
Control unit · Faults present 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 off ignition.
Disconnect the control units which are linked by the bus wires and check whether there is an open circuit in one of the bus wires
=> Current flow diagrams, Electrical fault finding and Fitting locations binder
If no fault can be found in the bus wires replace control unit 2.
Example 3:
From the faults present in the fault memories, you can see that none of the control units are able to transmit or receive signals.
Control unit · Faults present in fault memory:
1 · - Data bus drive defective
2 · - Data bus drive defective
3 · - Data bus drive defective
Switch off ignition.
Disconnect the control units which 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 binder
Check the bus wires for short to positive and short to earth.
If the cause of the fault "Data bus drive defective" cannot be found in any of the bus wires, proceed as follows to check whether one of the control units is causing the fault.
At this stage all the control units which communicate via the CAN data bus are disconnected. The ignition is switched off.
Connect one of the control units.
Connect fault reader V.A.G 1551. Switch on the ignition and erase the fault memory of the control unit which has just been connected. End output from fault reader with 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 the fault "Data bus drive defective" is not indicated, connect the next control unit, and repeat the above 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.
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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.