Car won’t start. Help. Ideas needed

[pule333]

Hi Guys. Hope everyone is well!
Been having issue with my B7 lately. On occasion it would not engage the starter. But after few tries be ok. Was only intermittent once a month or so. But last week it was terminal. Started on the way to shops fine. But wouldn’t start coming back. Had to push start down the hill after wife came to rescue with tow rope. The bugger won’t start now at all! Just does the clicking sound. I suspect it’s the Starter motor gone. Any other ideas?

https://youtu.be/6mc7EKBgMPo


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[mikep99]

Does the starter click when it doesn't start? or just the relays that you can hear inside the car?
If the starter clicks, The relays etc should be ok as its getting the signal to start.
Another thing to check is the following connection next to the positive terminal under the bonnet:

This is the wire that has 12v put through it to trigger the starter motor. Check which side goes to the ecu if you're going to measure it.
If you get power through this and the car wont start, this will also confirm your relays etc are ok.

I have a similar issue as yours and I've spent a lot of time looking into it.
Mine doesn't start only when the engine is at operating temp after a run. Then, after 40 mins ish it'll start fine.
I'll look for a dodgy earth next between the starter and the chassis.

Mike

[mikep99]

These may help if you're looking to troubleshoot before getting a new starter..

[QuRace]

These may help if you're looking to troubleshoot before getting a new starter..

Apologies for being /OT, but where are the attached wiring diagrams from? They certainly don't look like the "official" VAG "Current Track" diagrams...

.

[mikep99]

They're from a repair manual that was posted on here a while back.

[QuRace]

They're from a repair manual that was posted on here a while back.

Thx. And I had already downloaded that then... I must be getting old...

.

[Nige_RS4]

Have you checked your battery voltage / condition. Low batt voltage will cut the starter circuit to protect the electronics as the starter draws a sh1t load of juice, and it can make the click noise you hear. I've seen tons of posts on other forums about non-starting cars during the UK lock-down. Batteries are failing due to non-use, or the charge is just too low.

HTH

[pule333]

Have you checked your battery voltage / condition. Low batt voltage will cut the starter circuit to protect the electronics as the starter draws a sh1t load of juice, and it can make the click noise you hear. I've seen tons of posts on other forums about non-starting cars during the UK lock-down. Batteries are failing due to non-use, or the charge is just too low.

HTH

It’s on trickle charge when not in use. It started fine when I went to shops.


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[Nige_RS4]

It’s on trickle charge when not in use. It started fine when I went to shops.

Charging a duff battery won't fix it.

How old is the battery?

Does your trickle charger have a 'float' mode once it's charged the battery, as over-charging is bad for lead acid batteries?

I've been here myself in the last 2 weeks - my son's car would crank no problem but wouldn't start. Took the battery out and charged it overnight and hey presto, fired up first time.

Personally, I'd charge it (not trickle) overnight and then take it to a battery place to test.

[pule333]

It’s on trickle charge when not in use. It started fine when I went to shops.

Charging a duff battery won't fix it.

How old is the battery?

Does your trickle charger have a 'float' mode once it's charged the battery, as over-charging is bad for lead acid batteries?

I've been here myself in the last 2 weeks - my son's car would crank no problem but wouldn't start. Took the battery out and charged it overnight and hey presto, fired up first time.

Personally, I'd charge it (not trickle) overnight and then take it to a battery place to test.

6 months old. It’s always on trickle.


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[Nige_RS4]

If you're confident that it isn't the battery then can you not test the clutch switch by bypassing it i.e. connect the 2 terminals together. That would eliminate that part (even though it's been replaced). I couldn't hear the clicking in the video btw? Sounds like your issue is more electrical than mechanical.

[pule333]

If you're confident that it isn't the battery then can you not test the clutch switch by bypassing it i.e. connect the 2 terminals together. That would eliminate that part (even though it's been replaced). I couldn't hear the clicking in the video btw? Sounds like your issue is more electrical than mechanical.

Oh it clicking alright lol. Can post video here.


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[GG441]

Few days behind i faced the smoke problem. I called a technician it charged me €55.

[maars]

Have you tried jump starting it off another car/battery to eliminate the RS4's battery?

[pule333]

Have you tried jump starting it off another car/battery to eliminate the RS4's battery?

Yes


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