Car engine starts but cuts out after a sec. Brakes? ABS? Oil? Immobiliser?

[nv_london]

Hi all,

I have an Audi A3 ’99 8L.

The brake pad sensor recently came on the dash so I changed the front brake pads (didn’t touch the battery).
Afterwards, the car started fine (the brake pad sensor had gone). Switched it off. Switched it back on. No probs so far. Drove it for 3 or so miles. Switched it off. It was at rest for 20 or so mins. Switched it back on and drove for another 3 or so miles. No probs whatsoever. Parked up. (I changed the oil the week before and had put 4 L in. I decided to top up the oil and put in an extra litre. So 5 in total. I never turned the car back on). I didn’t use the car for two days.
Now when the key is in the ‘on’ position no dashboard lights come on except the usual ‘parking light’, ‘battery light’ and the ‘engine management light’ but the car does start but cuts out after half a second or so.
After a number of times of trying to start the car the same thing happens but the engine management light no longer comes on, instead in the spilt second the car is ‘running’ the battery light goes off and the yellow ABS sign comes on before the car dies. (I assume the battery is OK (i.e. the car turns on) and there was fuel in the car).

Is there any chance I messed up the ABS sensor (got dirt in it etc) when I changed the brakes which now means the car cuts out?
(Does topping up the oil have anything to do with this hence the original engine management light?).

(I did a bit of googling and read it could be the immobiliser (coincidental that this has somehow been tripped?) Anyway, I tried a spare key and leaving the batter disconnected for 10 or so mins. No joy the same thing happens).

In conclusion
I changed the brakes and all was fine.
Now, no dashboard lights come on (and the fuel gauge doesn’t flicker and the milometer doesn’t light up). The car does start but then cuts out after a split second or so.

Any ideas? Is changing the brakes coincidental in all this. Is topping up the oil just as coincidental? (Am I reading too much into the fact as the car cuts out the ABS light come on?). Any idea if/how I can clean the ABS sensor?

Any help is much appreciated.

[Doctle Odd]

I'd say it's coincidence. Is the battery fully charged? Is there an orange light flashing with a key on it? Usually a car starting and cutting out is an immobiliser problem like a weak key transponder. Check your fuses! A diagnostic scan would help too look here for someone close to you if you don't have your own cable VWAF User Location Map - VCDS - Google Maps

[nv_london]

I'd say it's coincidence. Is the battery fully charged? Is there an orange light flashing with a key on it? Usually a car starting and cutting out is an immobiliser problem like a weak key transponder. Check your fuses! A diagnostic scan would help too look here for someone close to you if you don't have your own cable VWAF User Location Map - VCDS - Google Maps

Hi Doctle Odd, thanks for the prompt reply. After a bit more googling, I *think* you're right (i.e. that it's just a coincidence about the brakes and/or oil - but I'm not sure so any additional advice would be more than welcome. There's no orange light with a key on it (I know the one you mean - but it's not there - and I don't *think* it actually exists on my old car's dash?). I've seen 'fuses' being mentioned elsewhere on the web but do these refer to the fuses in the 'main fuse box' (just next to the steering wheel column in my car) or are there some other relay fuses in the engine bay? if so, what should I be looking for? Apologies for the questions and uncertainty. (By the way, I *think* the battery is OK..i.e. the car starts up everytime). I'm just concerned at the fact that there are no dash lights when the key is at the 'on' position. Thanks again.

[Doctle Odd]

What engine code?

[nv_london]

What engine code?

AKL code

[size12]

You really need to get it scanned otherwise its just a stab in the dark with modem engine management.

[zollaf]

he is right. if i had to have a stab in the dark i would say your dash cluster has blown and will need to be replaced. that would be a guess though.

[nv_london]

You really need to get it scanned otherwise its just a stab in the dark with modem engine management.

I will (but thinking about it, will the scan still work if the 'on' key position doesn't seem to work? - I've no idea if this is a ludicrous statement so apologies in advance if it is and I'm digressing from the problem in hand)

[nv_london]

he is right. if i had to have a stab in the dark i would say your dash cluster has blown and will need to be replaced. that would be a guess though.

Thanks for the input (would a blown 'dash cluster' cause the engine to cut out though?)

[size12]

Thanks for the input (would a blown 'dash cluster' cause the engine to cut out though?)

Yes unfortunately the immobiliser data is stored in the dash.