Starts then Immediately Cuts Out

Hello,

I have a 2006 A3 TDI Sportback, 70000 miles with full service history.

The car has been sitting for a few days due to the extreme cold (-12) and our village roads being treacherous.

Yesterday afternoon I went out to the car to try and clear the snow and ice. Turned over slowly, then started. Needed a rev to get to the point of good idle. I used again this morning to go to work (again -10). Started first time and no problems. I returned to drive home from work, started the car and immediately the revs dropped and the engine died. Same thing happened about five times. Sixth time and I managed to get some revs and hold there for 5 seconds, after which the car ran fine. Had to stop on the way home, all Ok when started again.

I have no warning lights and apart from the starting the car pulls well (where I can on roads without ice). I have recently checked with Audi about any outstanding recalls, I was told that everything is OK.

Any thoughts or suggestions on what the problem might be are much appreciated.

Thank you
Mark

Only a guess, but when temperatures drop to a very low level the diesel can form a gel
blocking filter. Additives are added in winter to prevent this but -12 sounds extreme.
This is only one possibility
Regards
Michael

Has fuel filter been changed.

Thank you for your replies.

I checked the service book and the fuel filter was replaced around 7000 miles ago. Are there any other symptons that I could indicate that this needs to be changed?

Do you have any other thoughts as to what could be the problem?

Thank you
Mark

Get your battery tested if it's ok get a diagnostic scan

Car started first time yesterday and went to a good idle (whilst clearing yet more snow off the car).

Temperature closer to zero so not as cold as it has been.

I will get the battery checked, it is probably the original so six years old plus.

Thank you for your help
Mark

I had exactly the same thing on the same day as you (a3 2.0 tdi 55 reg)! I also had it about this time last year. Then, I got towed to Audi where they couldn't find a thing wrong, no codes, battery looked great and it started fine for them. Something in the towing had fixed the problem, so this time I tried several times then got out and rocked the car a bit, wobbled any connector I could see in the engine bay and it started fine and no more problems.

My guess is either fuel waxing somewhere or condensation forming somewhere. It's odd because in my case it was fine when left out overnight in low temps, but had trouble starting after it was kept in an underground car park which was relatively warm. Definitely isn't battery or starter motor as it turned over strongly each time. It caught most times, so fuel was being delivered, seemed more like an air problem, so my bet is condensation or something like it.