made a really stupid mistake. need ideas/help.

[k0mpresd]

i pinched the wire going to the starter solenoid between the bellhousing and the block.

when i tried to start the car it obviously grounded 12v power going to the solenoid against the block. after several attempts of turning the key and nothing happening a small amount of smoke appeared to rise from underneath the dash by the windshield. i then attempted to find the problem and discovered the wire pinched.

i freed the wire today. rewrapped it w/ electrical tape and zip tied it to the alternator harness that goes above the bellhousing as well.

problem is the starter still does not turn. im sure its related to whatever smoked.

i dug around under the dash today and could not find anything that looked damaged. i didnt see any melted wires. i pulled all the relays. none of the terminals looked burned. checked fuses. all appear ok. i even checked the relays/fuse in the ecu box.

i looked @ the bentley and the starter circuit appears to be really simple but im really not good w/ wiring. and especially wiring diagrams.

all other electronics including ecu, cluster, radio, climate control, everything, appear to be functioning correctly. i can hear the fuel pump kick on and can also hear the throttle body when i turn the key.

im at a total loss. if anyone has any ideas or experience please chime in.

i had both brackets pushed up out of the way of the tranny but totally forgot to check the harness on the top/in the middle to make sure it wasnt pinched. i cant believe i did what i did. fuck.

pic of said wire.

[a4_1.8t_01]

Do a wire repair. Heatshield tubing and a piece of wire and solder it. Simple.

[solowb5]

He just said he did that and it still doesn't start.

[Wizard-of-OD]

Ignition switch?If not look for a friend ignition relay/fuse

[audiness]

i would imagine you shorted something somewhere. Your best bet is to get someone to try to start your car while you are underneath with a voltmeter. See if current is getting to that starter.

[Poopie]

your ignition switch is busted. trust me....its a $25 part on ebay.

[njm23]

I did that same exact thing, but realized the wire was pinched when the trans was not going in up top. You didn't notice this while trying to put the engine to trans bolts in? bolts must have felt oddly tight going in or something.

[TQMB5]

i would imagine you shorted something somewhere.

haha this made me laugh

[k0mpresd]

your ignition switch is busted. trust me....its a $25 part on ebay.

why so sure?

i have a brand new spare switch w/ key @ home.

[k0mpresd]

If not look for a friend ignition relay/fuse

thats what i was trying to do today. but i wasnt really sure what i should be looking for.

i looked @ the bentley and checked etka for something starter circuit related. but nothing was labeled as such. the bentley showed a 10a fuse. but that didnt seem to be the problem.

[AudiA4_20T]

hey Ian remember if you just burned the starter, you can always push-start your car to get it running and make sure everything else electrical is fine

[k0mpresd]

haha. i just need to start parking on hills and not worry about it.

[Poopie]

i'm so sure because that is exactly the same wire my friend pinched when i didn't keep my eye on him when we did his clutch. he is the destroyer of cars. you don't need to change keys though.

[k0mpresd]

word. thank you.

[Poopie]

pull the switch and smell it, it would smell burnt.

[solowb5]

So if the switch burned out would the fuel pump still kick on?

[Poopie]

yes it should still kick on. Well it really depends on which poles on the switch got damaged. The quick way to check is just to listen to it. Or pop start the car.

[k0mpresd]

poopie you are the fucking man. you saved me so much of me scratching my head going "uhh.."

[317ssayzarc]

glad you figured it out ian, happens to the best of us sometimes

[Toyotatech]

Did you get it fixed? Sounds like a blown main fuse or fusable link to me, although I have no clue where they are at on an Audi.

[k0mpresd]

yes. it is fixed. drove it home.

it was the ignition switch. just like poopie said.