Audi 5000 S Quattro No Start Condition

[jrjohnston]

I have a 1987 Audi 5000 S Quattro non turbo. I love this old Quattro. Here is my problem. Periodically the car will not start. When the car does not start, the car turns over normally, and the computer says everything is ok on the dash and ready to go. The car just will not start. I checked to see if there was spark from the ignition coil and there was none. I installed another ignition coil and I still would get a no spark condition. I reviewed the computer codes and nothing major. Still would not start. Next day it fires right up not a problem. The car works for a week real reliably then another no start condition. Again, not spark from the coil. Try resetting the computer by pulling the battery cables off of the terminals. Still will not start. Then 20 minutes later it works great. It has been doing this vicious cycle for about 6 months now. I wanted to know why the computer is shutting down that car and not allowing the ignition coil to spark. Is this a fail safe condition and how would I find out what that condition is and fix it? Any information that anyone could provide for me on this problems would be greatly appreciated!!


Thank You.

Jeff Johnston
jeff@blk-leather.com

[90V8]

no idea buddy, sorry i cant help ya with the computer issue. although i did hook up my 1990 v8 quattro to a laptop once and was able to read what limited info the computer had to give. i would suggest that first if you havent done it yet. you gotta find the right connecter to plug it into the diagnostic port (mine is located under carpet on passenger side) and have the right software on a computer to talk to the dumb computer. anyways im currently trying to figure out why my V8Q wont start, could you let me know how you tested for no spark on your car? thanks

[TommyL]

Engine needs 3 things to go, FuelMixture, compression and a spark. so be sure you have all those done. Could be an ignition module.

[samdog25]

did you ever find a solution to this problem? My Audi 5000 S is doing the same thing.

Originally Posted by jrjohnston

I have a 1987 Audi 5000 S Quattro non turbo. I love this old Quattro. Here is my problem. Periodically the car will not start. When the car does not start, the car turns over normally, and the computer says everything is ok on the dash and ready to go. The car just will not start. I checked to see if there was spark from the ignition coil and there was none. I installed another ignition coil and I still would get a no spark condition. I reviewed the computer codes and nothing major. Still would not start. Next day it fires right up not a problem. The car works for a week real reliably then another no start condition. Again, not spark from the coil. Try resetting the computer by pulling the battery cables off of the terminals. Still will not start. Then 20 minutes later it works great. It has been doing this vicious cycle for about 6 months now. I wanted to know why the computer is shutting down that car and not allowing the ignition coil to spark. Is this a fail safe condition and how would I find out what that condition is and fix it? Any information that anyone could provide for me on this problems would be greatly appreciated!!


Thank You.

Jeff Johnston
jeff@blk-leather.com

[Harvey Smith]

Well heck!.. When it won't start try wiggeling the under hood fuse panel box around.. don't get too agressive with it. There's a pile of connectors connecting to the bottom and the possibility one is a little flaky.. it worked with my 84 Turbo 5000S once when it wouldn't start after sitting around for several months. The fuel pump was not getting power.

[samdog25]

Turns out it is the same problem a lot of others are having...faulty Hall Sensor (is it Hall Sender or Sensor? I've heard it both ways.) If anyone else has the same problem, thats one thing to check...try ebay or craigslist first, a new one for me was 192 bucks.

[ljbrandt]

Having a similar problem...thought I would post a reply rather than start a new thread:

I have been the owner of a '87 Audi 5k SQ for about 2 years. Despite the fact that I'm living in Alabama and have no AC, I have formed a tight bond with this car and it has quite a personality:-)

Anyhow, I've always had trouble starting the car, especially after a long rain. The starter is engaging just fine, but the engine just doesn't want to turn over. However, after a day or two of sitting in the sun 'drying out', the vehicle usually started without issue...until a few days ago.

The vehicle has been sitting for about 4 days now (drying out) and the weirdest thing is happening. When I go to start it, it will turn over almost immediately, rev to about 1.3k RPM for a second or two, and then just stall out and die (regardless of whether I step on the gas petal or not). Trying to restart the car only leads to the starter engaging and the engine NOT catching.

If l leave the car alone for a few hours or overnight, the same thing happens, starts once, dies, then will not catch again.

Because I used to only have trouble starting during/after wet conditions, I thought it may have been an ignition problem or an electrical short, but now that everything seems dry, I wonder if it might not be getting enough fuel or it may even be flooded - I have no idea....and the last thing I want to do is tow a 22 year old car to a mechanic.

I really have no practical experience with fixing cars other than preforming routine maintenance (oil changes, spark plugs, etc.). But I am very savvy when it comes to researching fixes (on the web) yet haven't found too much with this kind of symptom.

This is what I've done so far...

Checked distributor cap...no moisture/bone dry
Checked back seat for leaks...somehow rainwater is leaking into the cabin and accumulating under the rear bench near the ABS control unit.

Like I said before, I've always had trouble starting the car, even in dry conditions, the car would want to die unless I basically floored the gas petal. Or if it did die, it would at least restart without much trouble, and after it had been running for 2-3 minutes, it would have no issue keeping a steady idle... which led me to think that I needed to replace the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor.

I know this is a long post, but I'm desperate for any advice/help at this point since I can't really afford to spend more than $500 bucks right now and avoiding a tow is paramount. Here are some pics:

[audiqv8]

First thing to check if there is a spark while cranking the engine. You can get a spark tester or use an old spark plug. If spark is good then check to see if it is getting gas.

You can remove one of the injector and place it inside a container and crank the engine. BTW make sure that the ignition wire from the coil to the distributor is disconnected (don't really want the engine to start with the injector removed. Gas should spray into the containers. If it doesn't spray, then remove the air filter. Reach inside the air filter box and you will find a lever. This lever is attached to the metering plate. Push the lever up while a friend crank the engine. Fuel should start to spray from the injector.

If gas is now spraying from the injector, then you have a major vacuum leak which is preventing the metering plate from rising.

The black boot ontop of the air filter box is where the metering plate is located.