Mystery Connector - Can anyone tell what it is?

[Spanker]

Thank you.
I saw your hole and went straight out to my car to have a play. Then I realised that mine didn't quite look as bare as yours. And I've now left it too late in the cold day to start anything.
I removed the trim that covers the pipes and shone my phone light down there but couldn't see anything apart from one of the grommets. So after reading the other thread(s) someone said that removing the wipers and trim would let in more light and free up some access. So weather permitting, I shall do that tomorrow along with the orange pipes inside near to the front tunnel.
I also read that others had used Mr Muscle plug unblocker to free up some drainage holes and thought that may be a good preventative thing to do. But I couldn't see what drainage holes were being discussed so may need to dig a bit deeper on that one.
I didn't check for water under the car after running the engine for a while, as it was already damp under there. Again, another check for tomorrow just to see.

The rear doors do register on the DIS when the doors are open. I thought that they would show up straight away when the doors are opened and got a bit downhearted when they didn't. It just showed the typical DIS message about pressing the brake when stationary and selecting gear (or whatever it says). It was only when I selected a gear that the DIS changed to show open doors. Did I tell you I was new to this model?
So the door switches work. But for the first time when the car was started there was nothing on the DIS until I touched it with my finger then it lit dimly before going to full brightness.
With this in mind, I think that there is definitely an earthing problem or something similar with the car. A scan on VCDS and maybe a trip to an auto-electrician should help me with the internal electrics.

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

Dampness on the wooden board usually means one of Audi's little Easter eggs called 'Botang's hole' is leaking. The grey bit in the top right here:



http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7645&page=2

The HVAC drains can do it too but you often hear a sloshing sound as the water in the heater box moves around. If you run the AC for a while while stationary do you get a puddle under the car? I'll have the console side panels off mine this afternoon so I'll post a pic of where the drain valves are. Its worth taking them off and cleaning them out anyway although if it is full of water then have a bowl or bucket handy for when you take them out.

Cabin lights is a tricky one since they all run from the same circuit. You'll probably need to spend some time with the wiring diagrams and a multimeter to figure that one out.

Do you get the indication in the dash when the rear doors are open? If not then the switches are likely the problem with the interior light. I think they are in the door lock mechs in the D2 iirc.

VCDS should tell you whats up with the parking sensors. Likely there is a bad connection on one or more sensors front and rear, or they could have moisture in them.

You're probably right on the rear window. Sort the HVAC drains and Botang's hole and get a dehumidifier in it for a few days and hopefully that will improve.