CT Rob

My '89 S4 has the digital dash reboot every time I start the car -- any ideas? The firmware version shows up, then I have to reset the computer to stop showing fuel mileage.

Thanks!

-Robert

Alan

Your battery voltage is dropping too low during starting - charge it up better & check your alternator output or just get a new battery.

Alan

RET

If the battery is good and the terminals are clean, then you might check the ground strap to the battery. Even if it looks good on the outside as it can still be corroded internally. My '89 had the same symptoms (and with new battery too); ground strap looked great, but was bad. A simple search will turn up plenty of information about this problem. HTH.

Bob

Koenig-Specials 928

I had this same problem and wrote about it about 5 years ago. It was the battery that needed changing. Never had the problem reoccur since.

mickster

Ditto 89 and 91.

CT Rob

Thanks! I am trying a full charge first, and then the ground strap.

-Robert

RET

You might also have the battery load tested. Many car part stores can do this if you bring the battery to them.

Chuck Schreiber

This was happening to me as well.

Really cold weather (At least for us in DFW) this year. i usually run the GTS every weekend, but the digital dash would run to ---- every week. I ordered a new ground strap from Roger and it has been fine ever since...

I didn't think about it until Sean replaced Richard (Stretch) James' ground strap. Stretch's car would NOT start after sitting for more than a few days. Sean replaced the ground strap on his car and it's been fine ever since. Sean has had the car for a while doing some PM on it and the car sat for 3 weeks. Started up fine after 3 weeks.
(I'm sure Sean will post some pics)

I'll post a few pics, but if memory serves me, it was the one that Rob Edwards or Dr. Bob found.
New cable and shrink wrap is about $20-$30 less than a factory replacement. Mine looked "OK", but I guess it wasn't...

It cured Stretch's car, helped mine retain "outside temp", so if you're having a problem, the ground strap may be the culprit, or at least part of it.

Chuck Schreiber

Here's one of the posts I came across:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ps-are-in.html

Post #27 was Stretch's car. It was jacked. Now wonder she woulnt't start after a few days..

FiveElements

This was happening for me in my 89 car, but it was a loose fuse for the interior light. (Same circuit) I had to bend the pins on the fuse a bit to make better contact. All works perfect now.

Chuck Schreiber

Battery strap didn't look too bad, but new one cured dash reset problem for me.