Help! A8 Starting Issue...

[funkysampras26]

If anyone has experienced this same issue, please let me know. I recently purchased a 2004 A8 with 42,000 miles. Upon owning, I have noticed that every now and then, the car will not turn over when the key is turned in the ignition. I have the car under warranty for another few months and would like to get this resolved. I took to an Audi dealership, problem did not surface, so they didn't do anything.

If anyone has experienced this issue and knows what was wrong - PLEASE let me know.

Thanks[wrench]

[neoprufrok]

Hey..

I've had it happen once in a while (every 4-5 weeks) but I just take out the key, put it back and try again - not a big deal.

Rich

[VirCop]

One thing you might check is that your car has the ORIGINAL audi battery and not only "some" battery. I've had the same issue by using a non-Audi battery for a short time. That has to do with the fact that the original audi batteries having an additional check for battery power status. My experience was that the car runs of course ok with "any" type of battery, but as i said already i noticed this strange behavior with a ordinary no-name battery.

[pep]

I am having this issue with my D3 A8. I took it in once for this issue and they replaced the ignition switch. Didn't fix it. Sometimes it happens to me 2 or 3 times in one day, and other times it doesn't happen for a week.

I have to go back for something else anyway so I plan on having them try to fix this issue again. I'll let you all know what the outcome is once the dealer gives it another try. In the meantime I'll have to check to see whether or not I have an aftermarket battery since I just picked this car up a month and a half ago.

pep

[AudiChan]

First of all, have you solved your problem yet? I recently have the same problem... now I'm trying the fuel pump.

My problem is sometimes needing to crank twice to start. But it quit last week, now at mechanic and they've checked and believed that it's the fuel pump... so I'm gonna try that out.

[bloem]

A while back I had a problem with the connections being corroded in this jumper box: http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/au/A8Q/1996/153/57/1689016/ part number 10 in the picture. It lives just behind the right front wheel, hanging underneath the frame member. It connects the thick 50mm2 12V cable from the battery to the similar cable to the starter motor. Cleaning the connections up made all the difference.

Apart from that there is the immobilizer (www.audipages.com) problem, but that is quite specific in its DTCs and symptoms.

Hope this helps.

Berrie

[AudiChan]

Thank you. I'll keep that in mind and check it out as well. I'm still waiting on my fuel pump since it's such a hard to find part in U.S. Dealer wants over $650 for it. I'm getting an entire fuel pump assembly used (from a 62K miles 97 A8Q) for $170 including tax and shipping. Really hope this will work out!!

Actually, I'm replacing spark plugs too as they are due. So, I'm really looking for a more responsive car after it's back on the road [:D]