for manual operation of the convertible top.

CAUTION
Be careful to prevent the top tensioning bow from striking the convertible top storage compartment cover if it is in the raised
position when depressurizing the hydraulic system.

CAUTION
To reduce the risk of injury or damage to the vehicle, do not reach into the convertible top linkage or other moving parts
during the emergency operating procedure.

First, the convertible top box lid must be unlocked. To do this:
•

Open the trunk and fold down the right seat by pulling
the lever in the direction of the arrow.
.

623_014

•

Remove the wheel bolt wrench from the vehicle tool kit
and close the trunk lid.

From inside the vehicle,
•

Pull down the release loop (arrow) and unlock the
convertible top box lid.

623_015

45

•

Push the covers on both sides of the vehicle in the
direction of the arrow until they engage.

623_016

To prevent the convertible top box lid from closing involuntarily and causing injury or damage,
•

Move the lid into the upright position (1) and hold it
there.

•

Push back the left and right knee hinges (arrow 2) until
they hold the top in its fully open position.

623_017

•

Remove the trim cover and insert the wheel bolt wrench.

To open or disengage the catch hooks,
•

Turn the box wrench clockwise as far as it will go and
then remove it.

623_018

•

Lift out the convertible top completely (in the direction
of the arrow) by grabbing it from the front edge.

•

Raise the convertible top tensioning strut until the
convertible top box lid can be closed.

623_019
46

Note:
Two people should always perform this procedure to avoid the
risk of injury or damage to the convertible top components.
•

Release the convertible top box lid (1) by pulling the
hinges forward and slowly lowering the lid until it
closes.

•

Lower the tensioning strut (2) until it rests on the
convertilbe top box lid.

623_020

•

Push the convertible top firmly into the windshield
frame (arrow).

623_021

•

Insert the wheel bolt wrench and turn it counter clockwise until the latch hooks are fully engage in the windshield frame.

•

Remove the wrench and stow it in the vehicle tool kit.

623_022

Reference
Please refer to the Owner’s Manual for further information on emergency operation.

47

Data bus overview
The overview shows the information exchanged via data bus.
Instrument Cluster Control Module J285
Display convertible top message in the DIS ← I
Ambient temperature → O
Driver Side Rear Window Regulator Motor Control
Module J1016
Front Passenger Side Rear Window Regulator Motor
Control Module J1017
Side window closing ← I
Lower side windows ← I
(LIN users of door control units J386 and J387)

Driver Door Control Module J386
Passenger Door Control Module J387
Locked and closed status of convertible top ← I
Side window closing ← I
Lower side windows ← I
Side window closing → O (to LIN users J1016 and J1017)
Side window opening → O (to LIN users J1016 and J1017)

Vehicle Electrical System Control Module J519 (= BCM_01)

Convertible Top Control Module J256
Locked and closed status of convertible top ← O
Unlocked status of convertible top ← O
Locked and open status of convertible top ← O
Convertible top in intermediate position ← O
Convertible top opening movement ← O
Convertible top closing movement ← O
Trunk lid release enabled/disabled ← O
Side window closing → O
Lower side windows ← O
Display convertible top message in the DIS → O
Comfort request via key ← O
Speed signal → I
Ambient temperature → I
Convenience opening and closing request signal → I
Sleep mode readiness → I
Rear window heater on/off status → I
NO contact on/off status → I
Terminal 15 status → I
Enable convertible top operation ← I
Trunk lid status → I
Actual and nominal status of external vehicle locking → I

Locked and closed status of convertible top ← I
Locked and open status of convertible top ← I
Convertible top in intermediate position ← I
Trunk lid release enabled/disabled ← I
Comfort request via key ← I
Rear window heater on/off status → O
NO contact on/off status → O
Terminal 15 status → O
Convenience opening and closing request signal → O
Enable convertible top operation → O
Actual and nominal status of external vehicle locking → O
Trunk lid status → O
Sleep mode readiness → O

Climatronic Control Module J255
Locked and closed status of convertible top ← I
Locked and open status of convertible top ← I
Convertible top opening movement ← I
Convertible top closing movement ← I

Data Bus On Board Diagnostic Interface J533 (Gateway)
Locked and closed status of convertible top ← I
Unlocked status of convertible top ← I
Locked and open status of convertible top ← I
Comfort request via key ← I
Speed signal → O
Sleep mode readiness → O

Access/Start Authorization Control Module J518
Locked and closed status of convertible top ← I
Convertible top opening movement ← I
Convertible top closing movement ← I
Comfort request via key ← I

Key:
Data bus in general

←I
→O

LIN bus

Trailer detector control unit J345

Receiving data (input)
Sending data (output)

Comfort request via key ← E
623_071

48

Occupant protection
The A3 Cabriolet has the following occupant protection equipment:
• Airbag Control Module
• Driver and passenger front airbags
• Front side airbags (head/thorax airbag)
• Knee airbags
• Front airbag crash sensors
• Side impact sensors in the front doors
• Centrally located rear side impact sensor
• Front inertia reel safety belts with electric and pyrotechnic tensioners
• Safety belt warning for all seats
• Front passenger seat occupancy detection sensor
• Rollover protection
623_005

Key for following page
E24
E25
E258
E259

Driver Seat Belt Switch
Front Passenger Seat Belt Switch
Driver Side Rear Seat Belt Switch
Passenger Side rear Seat Belt Switch

G452
G179
G180
G256
G283
G284
G551
G552
G553
G554

Front Passenger Seat Occupant Sensor
Driver Side Airbag Crash Sensor
Front Passenger Side Airbag Crash Sensor
Centrally located Rear Side Airbag Crash Sensor
Driver Front Airbag Crash Sensor
Passenger Side Front Airbag Crash Sensor
Driver Belt Force Limiter
Front Passenger Belt Force Limiter
Driver Seat Position Sensor
Passenger Seat Position Sensor

J234
J285
J533
J706
J854
J855

Airbag Control Module
Instrument Cluster Control Module
Data Bus On Board Diagnostic Interface
Passenger Occupant Detection System Control Module
Left Front Seat Belt Tensioner Control Module
Right Front Seat Belt Tensioner Control Module

K19
K75
K145

Seat Belt Indicator Lamp
Airbag Indicator Lamp
Front Passenger Airbag Disabled Indicator Lamp

N95
N131
N132
N153
N154
N199
N200
N295
N296
N297
N298
N646
N647

Driver Airbag Igniter
Front Passenger Airbag Igniter 1
Front Passenger Airbag Igniter 2
Driver Seat Belt Tensioner Igniter 1
Front Passenger Seat Belt Tensioner Igniter 1
Driver Thorax Airbag Igniter
Front Passenger Thorax Airbag Igniter
Driver Knee Airbag Igniter
Front Passenger Knee Airbag Igniter
Driver’s Seat Belt Tensioner Igniter 2
Front Passenger Seat Belt Igniter 2
Driver Side Rollover Protection Igniter
Front Passenger Side Rollover Protection Igniter

T16

Data Link Connector

Powertrain CAN bus
Convenience CAN bus
Diagnostics CAN bus
Input signal
Output signal

49

623_006a

50

Side airbag
The front driver and passenger side airbags are designed as
head thorax airbags. They are designed to protect the body
and head of the front occupant.
By integrating the side airbags in the front seat backrests,
the occupant is optimally positioned relative to the front
occupants irrespective of their seating adjustment.

623_011

The side airbags are activated by Airbag Control Module
J234. The signal first ignites the priming charge which in
turn ignites the solid propellant.

The gases expelled during the combustion of the propellant
charge flow through the outlet orifices via the filter into
the airbag which unfolds and fully inflates. The seal
between the outlet orifices protects the pyrotechnic material from moisture and is destroyed by the heat generated.

Seal
Filter
(contains the propellant charge)

Priming charge

623_012

Igniter

Propellant charge

Outlet orifices

51

Electrical wiring harness for side airbag
The electrical wiring harness for the front side airbags can
now be replaced without replacing the complete airbag
module if it is damaged.

This is because the ground wire used to protect the pyrotechnic devices from static connects directly to the airbag
module. When connected, the ground wire connects the
gas generator housing to the vehicle body.

Cover
Locking device

Contact

Mechanically encoded housing
609_014a

609_014

Driver Side Rear Side Airbag Crash Sensor G256
G256 is a capacitive acceleration sensor. Although it is
designated as being for the driver’s side rear, it is installed
at the center of the back seat area.

If a deployable impact is detected, the Airbag Control
Module deploys the safety belt tensioners.

If G256 senses a side impact, it sends its signal to Airbag
Control Module J234. The ‘Y’ sensor in the Airbag Control
Module performs a plausibility check.

Driver Side Rear Side Airbag
Crash Sensor G256

623_013
52

Rollover protection
The A3 Cabriolet is equipped with a rollover protection
system. Together with the strength of the body and rigid
A-pillars, a protective area is created for the occupants
during a rollover accident.

In all crash events in which the airbags and/or safety belt
tensioners are ignited, the rollover protection deploys as a
precautionary measure. If no rollover occurs in the course
of the event, the system can be reset.

An additional sensor detects an imminent rollover and
deploys the protection system. The sensor is located in
Airbag Control Module J234 and cannot be replaced
separately. If an imminent rollover is detected, the
protection system is deployed and the pyrotechnic safety
belt tensioners are ignited.

623_005a

53

Cassettes with protective roll bars
The rollover protection system on the A3 Cabriolet consists
of two cassettes that hold the protective roll bars and other
components. Different cassettes are used for the driver
and passenger side of the vehicle. The cassettes must be
installed on the correct side of the vehicle.

The correct installation direction of each cassette is indicated by a stamped arrow. A specific tightening sequence
must be followed when they are installed.

Arrow indicating
installation direction
Spring

Release lever
Cassette

Ratchet rail

Pawl

623_007

Driver Side Rollover Protection Igniter N646 and
Front Passenger Side Rollover Protection Igniter N647
The retractable protective roll bars are pre-loaded by a
spring. The bar is held in its lowered position by the U bar
of the rollover protection trigger. When the trigger is
energized by Airbag Control Module J234, it releases the
U bar and the bar deploys upward in approximately
130 milliseconds.

When the protective roll bar reaches its fully extended
position, a pawl engages the ratchet rail and locks the bar
in position.

U bar

Spring

623_008

Rollover protection trigger

Rollover protection trigger

54

When the convertible top is open, the protective roll bar
travels approximately 12.5 in (320 mm) when it is deployed.
When the convertible top is closed, the travel of the bar is
limited and it deploys approximately 7.4 in (190 mm). This
helps minimize damage to the convertible top.

Attaching points

Ratchet rail

Spring

Pawl

623_009

Preloaded position

55

Fully extended position when
convertible top is closed

Fully extended position when
convertible top is open

Resetting a deployed protective roll bar
Pulling the release lever 1 pulls the pawl 2 out of the
ratchet rail 3 and releases the bar.

The rollover protection system can be reset by pushing back
the bar 4 at the same time (the U bar must lock into place).

1

4

2

3

623_010

Diagnostics
N646 and N647 are monitored by Airbag Control Module
J234. The Airbag Control Module records each deployment
of the rollover protection system. The protection system
can be tested by deploying through an Output check diagnosis using the VAS Scan Tool.

The number of deployments is limited and can be read from
the MVBs. Once 127 deployments have been recorded, a
DTC (rollover protection system faulty) is registered by J234
and the cassettes have to be replaced.
Therefore, unnecessary deployments should be avoided.
Please consult the maintenance schedule to determine
when a check of the system should be performed.

Reference
For further information about the rollover protection system, refer to the Electronics Service Information,
Guided Fault Finding and the maintenance schedule.
56

Engines
1.8L and 2.0L TFSI engines
Technical feature overview

Cylinder head with Integrated Exhaust Manifold (IEM)

609_156_a

2.0L TFSI engine shown. The 1.8L TFSI engine
does not have continuously adjustable exhaust
camshaft timing.

Optimized thermal management

Engine Temperature Control Actuator
N493

609_156_b

57

Both the 1.8L TFSI and 2.0L TFSI engines for the North
American market will only have the FSI injection system.
The dual injection may be introduced at a later date.
Combined FSI/MPI injection

609_156_c

Friction optimization and lightweight design

609_156

609_156_d

Reference
For detailed information about the 1.8L and 2.0L TFSI engines, please see eSelf-Study Program 920243,
Third generation Audi 1.8L and 2.0L engines from the EA888 model family.
58

Engine/transmission combinations
1.8l TFSI engine

OD9 front

2.0l TFSI engine

0D9 quattro