Intermittent Non Start Audi A4 Cab 2005

[manners1982]

Hi all,

My Audi A4 Cab 2005 (multitronic) is experiencing difficulties when starting. It's happened now approximately 10 times over the last 3 months. When you put the key into the ignition and turn to start the car the key just turns and it doesn't even attempt to turn over.

I get all the standard lights on the dash but nothing happens when I try to turn the engine over. I can only describe it as turning your key in the ignition with a completely flat battery.

The first instance when this occured I though it was an immobiliser problem so I changed the battery in the key fob (although I could still get in the car).

However the problem still persists but recently I noticed that when I turn the ignition on the light on the gearbox display (centre console) indicating for the foot brake to be applied is not illuminated?

So now when I get in the car and put the keys in I have to check that the light is illuminated - if it is on then good the car will start - if not then the problems start.

It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour before I can get the car to start!

The car has 43k on the clock and at 38k it had the gearbox oil changed plus all the usual Audi service intervals completed on time?

My question is does anyone know whats wrong and how to fix the problem,

Please help

Many thanks

[Zenerdiode]

Forget about the immobiliser. If 'immobilised' the car will start and run for two seconds and then cut. The battery in the key is for the remote central locking only; the immobiliser uses a passive chip in the key that is mometarily powered by the car when being read.

It sounds like a starter interlock problem; so I suggest it is possibly a faulty selector leaver position switch or a faulty ignition switch. Time to get the multimeter out and start probing.

[yaman]

As above, it does sound like your starter isolator switch is sticking.

When it happens again, try jiggling you gear selector lever about.

Regards
Jim

[manners1982]

Thanks for your replies,

Would I be looking at purchasing something similar to this item on eBay,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Audi-A4-Auto-Gear-Selector-Lever-Printed-Circuit-New-/120550442437#ht_914wt_689

Or do you think it would be best to visit Audi, or other garage, and get a complete diagnostic done before buying anything?

Thanks

[yaman]

Go for the diagnostics first

Regards
Jim

[Laylajay87]

Thanks for your replies,

Would I be looking at purchasing something similar to this item on eBay,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Audi-A4-Auto-Gear-Selector-Lever-Printed-Circuit-New-/120550442437#ht_914wt_689

Or do you think it would be best to visit Audi, or other garage, and get a complete diagnostic done before buying anything?

Thanks


hi manners1982

I have spoken to a main dealer service advisor (and manager and branch manager) to find out that control panel faults are covered under warrenty. I would strongly recommend if you still have this warrenty then go to your dealer and get them to fix it.

I am currently living overseas and stressed this when purchasing the car that i needed warrenty to cover me in any european country for the full year. I was guarenteed this and its not happened. RAAAARRRGGH:aargh4: :)

So DO NOT get it done yourself through any other garage. Go to the dealer you bought from and get them to fix it. It is SOOO much harder to get work done then claim for it from them than it is to leave your car with them for a day.

To stress the hassle it is to do it yourself... Im trying to get the AUDI garage i bought from in huddersfield, west yorkshire to pay for the cost it will be for the AUDI garage in Limassol, Cyprus to fix my car where the problem is a WARRENTY issue........ how simple would that be from Audi to Audi???? we would all guess wrong!!! :zx11:


On another thread from this.... Anyone know where i can get the full details of how to complain with Audi and how they have to process it including the timescales?? I cannot find out through this forum or audi websites?? - Cheers

laylajay87

[yaman]

Im trying to get the AUDI garage i bought from in huddersfield, west yorkshire to pay for the cost it will be for the AUDI garage in Limassol, Cyprus to fix my car where the problem is a WARRENTY issue........ how simple would that be from Audi to Audi???? we would all guess wrong!!! :zx11: - Cheers
laylajay87

If its a Audi warranty, why would the dealer in Huddersfield pay
for it?
The normal procedure is to present the warranty certificate to any
Audi dealer, and they get paid by Audi for the work.

If its one of those insurance policy warranties.... you will have to
read the small-print, with a magnifying glass, and keep your
fingers crossed.

Regards
Jim

[Laylajay87]

Hi Jim

Thank you for this advise. Its more than we got when we called up to find out how to go about claiming on the warrenty in the first place.

We contacted the dealer we bought the car from to see what our options were as when we went to the Audi garage in Limassol they claimed the warrenty didn't cover us for any work they would do to even identify the problem. This apparently was due to us being ''overseas'' and the warrenty only being registered to the huddersfield garage.

We haven't been asked to contact any other service department or even been told what procedures are in place for us to go through first. Just simply fobbed off by the dealer for 13 days now and no work can be done until it is resolved.

If they told us to go to customer services who could advise us further then we would but i simply called to find out why we were told only the huddersfield garage can do the work under warranty as we were told by the sales rep, we had the first year warranty in full to cover us travelling to and then living overseas for any european audi garage.

Ill update when we have progress and I am keen to just be told, have the work done, fill out an expenses form with the service receipt and post it to an Audi processing centre.... if that happens ill be over the moon.

so watch this space :biglaugh: