2013 A4 2L TDI intermittent starting fault

[hall99m]

Hi,

This fault with my Audi has got progressively worse since i got it, i have owned the car since 2014.

You put the 'key' into the dashboard and the ignition comes on, push in the clutch and press and hold the key in for a few seconds and the car starts.

Many times when i press and hold in the key in, for a few minutes, nothing happens at all, no noise or error message or nothing. i have to release the key and clutch and repeat a few times before the car will start.

The fault is worse after the car has been run and is still warm, it starts best from cold.

I have had the car at a garage and because it does not bring up a fault code they cannot find anything wrong with it.

Has anyone encountered a fault like this? Any help would be much appreciated.

Hall99m.

[Boy]

Presumably the keyfob is nice and clean with no fluff or other stuff adhering to the crevices or which might have stuck in the dash slot?
I have to say that I don't think you have to hold the key in the slot but just push it in when the clutch is pressed and it will start when ready
i.e. once it has done any glowplug warming.
Is your car high mileage?

[hall99m]

Hi, thanks for the suggestions,

The keyfob is clean as far as i can tell, have tried both the main and spare key and its just the same.
Could the slot do with a clean out with some compressed air?
Mileage is about 40,000, i use the car for work nearly every day.
As far as i'm aware you have to press and hold the key until the engine starts, which should only be about 10 seconds.
the problem is at its worst when the car has been run for a while, stopped and attempting to start again. it actually starts best from cold.

[Boy]

You should not have to keep the fob pushed into the slot. I wonder if there might be some dust or fluff in the slot preventing a clean contact?

[hall99m]

Yes i have realised you only need to press and release the key for the car to start, but the problem still persists, still need multiple attempts to get the car to start. How would be best to clean the slot if it is dirty?

[Boy]

I suspect a poor contact as your problem, but I don't know the internal structure of the slot/switch. I think you need to find a blown up drawing of that, then figure how to clean. Perhaps you need to remove the slot/switch for cleaning?

Keep us posted as to progress.