Will not start

[al Parker]

I have a 2,6 B5 1996. I have looked through the forum for the same problem no joy. When i turn the key the first time every thing works.when i try to start up there is a click & every think goes dead. Battery is full. I`ve checked fuses CPU connections,found no dampness. Please help. Thank you, Al Parker.

[Quattros]

when you say dead, do you still have the dash lights on? or do they go out as well?

make sure fuel and spark are present by checking fuel pressure at fuel rail, and you are getting a spark by ignition coil with turning engine over.

I would start by checking the main relay. located under the steering wheel area, same side as the fuse box. Thois relay controlls power to starter motor and fuel pump. sounds like it is turning off.

finaly, does your yellow key sign stay off, or comes back on in the dash.. if on with ignition on then immobiliser problem...


hope this helps..

[fourringsrus]

Sticking starter motor?

[delta925]

You need to clarify what happens.

Turn on sidelights / hazards and connect a voltmeter or failing that just a bulb directly across the battery terminals.

If when you try to start everything goes off but battery holds voltage / lamp stays lit first check for broken / dirty / corroded connections including main connection from negative to chassis.

If the battery goes low voltage either very high current draw e.g. faulty or jammed starter motor or battery has a dud cell even if it runs headlights OK.

If sidelights / hazards & dashboard stay on first check would be starter motor connections then control relay and connections plus fuses - if a fuse need to establish cause of failure as car fuses are normally generously rated so need a fault to blow.

I'm not sure if Audi put a high current fuseable link in the wiring from the battery but if you seem to have a broken wire from battery to control relay / starter something to check.

If dashboard goes off but sidelights / hazards stay on maybe fault in feed to switched circuit or fault on ignition switch itself.

Someone I know had an immobiliser issue on a 1998 A3.
I recall then as well as key symbol staying lit there was beeping sound. Dealer had to come out with laptop to reset the system - expensive.

[al Parker]

Thank you for the help. The dash lights dimm as if the battery was flat. When i turn on the hazards they blink faster & their is clicking coming from the CPU. Immobiliser ??? sidelights & headlights work with the ignition on, turn the key to start there is a click & all the lights dim. Just been to my car. with the ignition off the hazards blink faster then normal.With the hazards on i turn on the ignition all the dash lights started it blink. PS I am good with mechanics but electrical hopless

[delta925]

Generally if the lights are dimming like a flat battery yet you are sure the battery connections are good and the battery can easily start a car there is a very high current flowing. This would point to a faulty starter motor or a siezed engine.
Have you monitored the battery voltage directly across the terminals at least with a lamp to see if that dims significantly too.

Diagnosing why the hazards flashing fast then all dash flashing with ignition on ( are the other dash lights going off or just dimming? ) is going to take some detective work unless anyone has seen this before.
It could turn out to be a wiring fault e.g. frayed insulation, broken wire, poor connection or a component.

Realistically you need to find a good autoelectrician.

Nothing to loose by trying to phone local dealers or independant VAG specialists as you might just get to talk to someone helpful.
Better to pay £100/hour to someone who can fix in 2 hours than £30/hour to someone who might spend a day and not even find the cause.

[al Parker]

OK Thank you for your help

[DJJoker]

Generally if the lights are dimming like a flat battery yet you are sure the battery connections are good and the battery can easily start a car there is a very high current flowing.

I had a similar problem last week, and it was simply a corroded negative terminal on the battery, so I would try this simple task first