Cold Start Problems

[a4dc89]

When I went to start my car yesterday after letting it sit for about a day and a half, I could almost not start the car up. I had to give it extra gas in order to get it going(It took me almost 10 seconds). This only seems to happen to me when the temperature is below 50f. I am really not sure what it possibly could be. The battery seems fine and the car only has 18,000 miles on it. I purchased it with 17k on it.

[supamannn99]

me too. sometimes when it starts, it takes extra long to start it. but i guess thats normal?

[07audi4]

Same here. Im not really sure whats up. When it gets real cold out and I let it sit for a couple hours it tuns over for a long time and eventually starts. Sometimes once it gets started it sort of putters like its going to stall out but keeps running...barely. Once its warmed up all is good :)

[grizzles]

Mine did this last year and now that it has gotten cold I am running into the same problems. I have made some comments on This Thread. The dealership is waiting for a backordered low pressure fuel pump sensor. I have a friend with an 07 that had the same issue (his also sits outside) and they fixed it so hopefully it gets fixed and Audi will start to realize there are issues.

[a4dc89]

Mine did this last year and now that it has gotten cold I am running into the same problems. I have made some comments on This Thread. The dealership is waiting for a backordered low pressure fuel pump sensor. I have a friend with an 07 that had the same issue (his also sits outside) and they fixed it so hopefully it gets fixed and Audi will start to realize there are issues.

Hopefully we can all get ours fixed. a problem like this is unacceptable. I have a 96 Landrover with 150k miles and it starts up much faster than the audi.

[wre_fer]

I have been having this problem also.. well today it totally died. I had a tough time starting it up.. it sputtered and took a couple tries. No biggie,, it ran well after that. But about 20 minutes into the drive it sputtered a bit and shut off. Never coming back on. Had to have it towed and to the dealership.
So when i get it back i will let you know the outcome.
... my initial thought was maybe the fuel pump..

[CoreyRandmetz]

i have the same issue, and another one that i did not understand...i let my car sit for 2 days in the cold weather not started and when i went to start it up...had the expected rough start and then the shifter was basically stuck in place until the car was warmed up...the temp was around 35-40f both days.

[80sGuy]

I just hope that I won't be facing this issue. Mine is parked most of the time between 5 days and every time I start her up, she's as good as new.

[wre_fer]

Got the car back today.. Needed a new ignition coil.. On the drive home , after about 3 miles down the road, the engine caught fire.. Had to get it towed back to the dealership....

[TSlice]

^Ouch. Hope they get that all sorted out.

[a4dc89]

I just hope that I won't be facing this issue. Mine is parked most of the time between 5 days and every time I start her up, she's as good as new.

Perhaps that is because you are in Los Angeles where it doesnt get cold? hmm


I really hope this gets fixed, i feel like my car is a piece of crap when the geo metro next to me starts up faster than my car does lol. Anyways, lets hear what the fix is. I am bring my car to the dealer soon...

[MAlby7]

It's so embarassing when a lesser car starts up without any problems.

[tvieira24]

FSI engine doesn't do so well in the cold. It has something to do with pressurizing the incredibly high pressure fuel lines when it's cold (freezing temp).

[grizzles]

Update:

They finally received the part that is back ordered all over the country (low pressure fuel pump sensor) and replaced it last week along with performing the coolant flange TSB. Well...sensor didn't fix the problem, still cranks for a while before starting after a fairly cold night. I have heard alot of the above about the FSI engine having problems however I had an 08 A4 2.0T as a loaner and it started up no problem under the same exact conditions. Needless to say I am a little pissed about the situation and hopefully Audi can get their act together and figure out what is causing this problem. Apparently 10+ cars at my dealership are waiting for this part in response to the same problem I am having so at least I know I am not alone.

Also I have now noticed that my gearbox feels frozen and shifts very spongy and non-responsive until the car is ran for about 15 minutes. I didn't have this problem last year and I have never driven a manual that had this issue, any one else?

[a4dc89]

Update:

They finally received the part that is back ordered all over the country (low pressure fuel pump sensor) and replaced it last week along with performing the coolant flange TSB. Well...sensor didn't fix the problem, still cranks for a while before starting after a fairly cold night. I have heard alot of the above about the FSI engine having problems however I had an 08 A4 2.0T as a loaner and it started up no problem under the same exact conditions. Needless to say I am a little pissed about the situation and hopefully Audi can get their act together and figure out what is causing this problem. Apparently 10+ cars at my dealership are waiting for this part in response to the same problem I am having so at least I know I am not alone.

Also I have now noticed that my gearbox feels frozen and shifts very spongy and non-responsive until the car is ran for about 15 minutes. I didn't have this problem last year and I have never driven a manual that had this issue, any one else?

I have been meaning to take my car to the dealership about this problem. im disappointed that people cannot seem to fix the problem. What could possibly be different with the 2008 from the 2006??

[Dangler]

i have had this problem in the mornings, after a very cold night....but what i do, is turn it to the "on" posistion. Wait a few seconds and then go to start it....i noticed if i go right away, its struggles alot to start up....

also during the winter months i rarely let the gas go past 1/2 tank...

[grizzles]

i have had this problem in the mornings, after a very cold night....but what i do, is turn it to the "on" posistion. Wait a few seconds and then go to start it....i noticed if i go right away, its struggles alot to start up....

also during the winter months i rarely let the gas go past 1/2 tank...

Yeah, I have been doing this as well but I don't think I should have, especially since that loaner I was driving cranked right up

[Tiesto]

Mines been starting fine in 22 degree weather.

[Dangler]

Yeah, I have been doing this as well but I don't think I should have, especially since that loaner I was driving cranked right up

I know what you mean...but figuring the loaner you drove was a new model...vw/audi is notorious for making rolling updates, and these are usually not published when they are made...

i also make sure all accessories are off when i go to start up the car...radio, heat, etc.

but what it really comes down to is the fueling system. this is the first gen. of this motor. When all the revisions are made im sure future models will experience less problems...this is typical among all car makers.

[MAlby7]

I brought mine again to the dealership for this problem and magically they again couldn't replicate the problem.

[cmdsm]

I'm having this problem as well. I really hope the sort it out.

[AUDI101]

I also was experiencing this, car even stalled one day. after reading some other threads it was suggested to try Shell Gasoline 93 octane. Since then i have had no slow startups. i do have the 3.2 FSI though

[Sanjman]

Does the EPC and ESP light come on at when this happens?

[surfsidedetail]

My 07 GTI was bought back for this same reason they can never figure out the cold start issues. Replaced the sensor, 2 fuel pumps, and finally gave up and bought my GTI back. Now I have an A4 and you guys are scaring me.

[TSlice]

also during the winter months i rarely let the gas go past 1/2 tank...

What is this supposed to accomplish?

[grizzles]

My 07 GTI was bought back for this same reason they can never figure out the cold start issues. Replaced the sensor, 2 fuel pumps, and finally gave up and bought my GTI back. Now I have an A4 and you guys are scaring me.

This only happens to me when it is less than 35 degrees overnight. Does that even happen you are (says Orange Co.)? Even if you have the problem it isn't worth getting rid of the car, it just takes a bit longer to start.

[grizzles]

I brought mine again to the dealership for this problem and magically they again couldn't replicate the problem.

I don't know if you did this but in my case I left it overnight at the dealer when I knew it was going to be really cold, this way it was guaranteed to show up.

[Sanjman]

yea just make sure they don't store the damn car in their garage haha.

[Zebman]

My old car (tC) had the problem with shifting. The transmission fluid has simply become very thick in the cold weather, hindering optimal operation of the synchros.

My Audi starts fine all the way down to 17~20 degrees Fahrenheit, which is when the symptoms listed here start. But it's all right, at such temperatures it should be expected without a block heater. Don't be so hard on your 2.0T.

[Snipps]

My car starts up fine every morning after being left outside in even single digit weather. It does start up slightly slower, but that is expected.

[Rotond0000]

yeah man you originally said in 50 degrees!!! i started mine up at like 12 this morning....like a champ

[surfsidedetail]

Nope it gets maybe into the high 40's or low 50's at night at the coldest here. The car would not start after sitting overnight or for a full day. I'm not paying $28K for a NEW CAR that can't start in the morning. Problem started at 1800 miles and VW bought it back at 5K miles. My 1994 Isuzu Trooper with 218K miles starts up fine even if it hasn't been driven in weeks.

[surfsidedetail]

VAG has quality control problems and we all know that but this is a pretty annoying problem since it can be replicated but it seems to never be fixed.

[CoreyRandmetz]

yeah man you originally said in 50 degrees!!! i started mine up at like 12 this morning....like a champ

good thing something with your car is running like a champ...ps how are things going with it?

[tvieira24]

My 2.0t will always start even in 0 degree weather up here. It might take a couple more cranks to get it running but it starts right up.

[MAlby7]

I don't know if you did this but in my case I left it overnight at the dealer when I knew it was going to be really cold, this way it was guaranteed to show up.

I did the same thing. Actually I left it there for two nights. They tried starting it both mornings.

[4-tified]

The first winter, Chicago style, my A4 would crank a bit long but would start.
I've changed how I start the engine now. First, I turn the key to the "on" position and wiat about 5 seconds, then I turn the key to engage the starter.
I haven't had any cold start issues, even the other day when ambient air temp was
-2F !!! COLD!

[supamannn99]

Mine did this last year and now that it has gotten cold I am running into the same problems. I have made some comments on This Thread. The dealership is waiting for a backordered low pressure fuel pump sensor. I have a friend with an 07 that had the same issue (his also sits outside) and they fixed it so hopefully it gets fixed and Audi will start to realize there are issues.

I took it in to the dealer after my check engine light went on and then they told me they replaced the low pressure fuel sensor. now the cold start problem is gone :D