S4 - Problem starting - any help please

[dreadducks]

Hello all, this is my first visit and post on the website, I was wondering if anyone could help...
I have a 2004 Audi S4 softtop - great motor...

However, I have a tempremental starting problem. When the car is cold there is the chance that when I turn the key to full ignition I get no response at all. All the electrics seem to be working, with Radio / Air Con / warning lights all functioning, but the final turn to start the car has no response.

This can just be something that lasts for 2 or 3 seconds before the car fires into life, or (on occasions) this can last and last. I have had 2 occasions where I have tried to start the car unsuccessfully for over 10 minutes.

The car was bought from Manchester Audi and is still under warranty. It has been back to them and they claim they cannot fault the problem. They have replaced the battery, which has not been successful, and recently they replaced the ignition relay, which also seems to have been unsuccessful...

Does anyone have any experience of a similar problem? I have a heavily pregnant wife, and a car that is not guaranteed to start is a major issue in my life at the moment - any help / thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers...

[wand106]

Originally Posted by dreadducks

Does anyone have any experience of a similar problem? I have a heavily pregnant wife, and a car that is not guaranteed to start is a major issue in my life at the moment - any help / thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers...

Hmmm I'n not an expert, but 2 lines to follow, firstly and most likely is it the transponder in the key, I've seen this problem on other makes not on Audis, where the key will work the ignition but will not allow it to turn over (or start if it were bumped) due to the transponder in the key not transmitting or the car not receiving. (not to be confused with central locking completely seperate and this function not reliant on battery in key) sometimes this is caused by local interference (something on your key ring / fob) or it maybe just faulty. Have you tried another key, does the fault happen with both keys or just one? also remove everything from your ring try the key on its own.

Failing that, then it could be solenoid / starter motor fault, when you are holding the key in that start postion is anything flashing on the dash, is there any click from anywhere in the car? (you will need to be in a quiet spot with climate/radio etc turned off to hear it) if you do hear a click then its not transponder but solenoid / starter motor.It could also be the key barrel itself.

Also others on the site would recommend you 'plug-in' to download any fault codes from the on board computer, I would hope your dealer has tried that and found nothing, but maybe worth checking.....

W

[dreadducks]

Hi Wand,

Thanks for the response. I will definitely try the 2nd key to see if there are problems with that side of things.

Personally I think it is more likely to be in the solenoid / starter motor and will raise that with the garage the next time I go in. They have done the download from the on-board computer and have not been able to fault it... Very frustrating!

Thanks again...

[Gymrat]

I have exactly the same problem with my 03 B6 S4, it only appeared after we had to have the locks changed and new keys following the theft of the spares from home. It only happens when the car is cold or damp and the main dealer can find no fault at all!! Did you cure the problem and if so how? I would love to know.

Thanks

[dreadducks]

Hi Gymrat,
unfortunately I do not have an answer for you. The dealership did recommend a new battery, which I had to pay for as it was not covered under warranty. This did not work and I argued for a refund (successfully). They then recommended a new starter soleniod (?) which was fitted. I cannot tell you whether this has fixed the problem as the car has been back with the dealership for the last 10 weeks (see my other thread - http://www.audi-forums.com/b6-forum/...nightmare.html). I don't believe it is fixed as some of the early symptoms were still present during the small period of time between the soleniod being replaced and the car returning to the dealership.

Sorry I couldn't be anymore help.