When starting my S4 doesnt turn over for about 30s to 3min when cold WTF is going on?

[3 bar]

When I try to crank it nothing happens for about 30 secs to over 3 min then out of the blue it turns over. Anybody else had this problem? is it a sensor?

[bhvrdr]

Starter. It will get progressively worse in the cold especially. Good luck getting audi to replace it. I had them replace 3 or 4 different things all the while telling them to fix the starter. IT went on for literally over one full calendar year with my car in the shop for over a month in all. Cost me hundreds in rental car as well. Theyll try replacing the ignition (50 dollar part), or "cleaning the contacts" (another term for blowing you off), or replacing relays. It's usually the starter. If you search on audiworld, you'll see over a dozen individual accounts of the same thing.

cheers! Mike

[ChronicTeutonic]

Could be the clutch safety switch?

[SoCalS4Avant]

Starter. It will get progressively worse in the cold especially. Good luck getting audi to replace it. I had them replace 3 or 4 different things all the while telling them to fix the starter. IT went on for literally over one full calendar year with my car in the shop for over a month in all. Cost me hundreds in rental car as well. Theyll try replacing the ignition (50 dollar part), or "cleaning the contacts" (another term for blowing you off), or replacing relays. It's usually the starter. If you search on audiworld, you'll see over a dozen individual accounts of the same thing.

cheers! Mike

I would have taken it to an indy mechanic and TELL them what to replace if that was the case!

[bhvrdr]

I would have taken it to an indy mechanic and TELL them what to replace if that was the case!

You ought to see what Audi charges for a starter replacement. It was about a grand. If I had replaced it out of pocket I would have never been reimbursed. I've done that before and Audi never gave me my money back. Did it on a failed MAF.

I even had videos of my problem over the course of the year with date stamps and everything. If you search my screen name here on youtube and the word "cold start" they should come up. I think there's 10 videos, he.

cheers! Mike

[S4J]

Mine had the exact symptoms and turned out to be the starter too. There have been several post's here and on AW on this subject.

[S4B6Dave]

Check the clutch switch first with an ohm meter, cheap fix.

[3 bar]

Well I took it out and brought it to the local starter repair place. Got a call back stating that in fact the solenoid was shot but they could not find any repair parts for it.

Where did you guys get your starters?

[ChronicTeutonic]

http://www.genuineaudiparts.com/ has a starter listed for about $450

[3 bar]

Thats more expensive than the dealer!

[bhvrdr]

http://www.genuinevwaudiparts.com

they have it for $281.52

[Beelzeebub]

maybe battery?

[SuperAvant]

Does anyone have a DIY on replacing the starter?

[ChronicTeutonic]

None that I know of, but I reviewed the Bentley manual and you'll need to support the engine since the right side engine mount needs to come off to access the starter.

[3 bar]

Not true. I got mine out without taking the engine mount loose.

[ChronicTeutonic]

Sorry just reporting what is in the Bentley manual, YMMV, I've never done it. Maybe they add the extra steps in there to maximize billable labor hours?

[SuperAvant]

Not true. I got mine out without taking the engine mount loose.

Care to explain your process?

[3 bar]

I removed the electrical connector and both the bolts and tilted and twisted the starter between the mount and subframe and it just came out.

[SuperAvant]

None that I know of, but I reviewed the Bentley manual and you'll need to support the engine since the right side engine mount needs to come off to access the starter.

Can you please post this bentley diagram or send it to me? I need to know how to do this as my starter I is shot. Is the general consensus that none of the electrical switches fixed the problem?

[SuperAvant]

anyone with a bentley??

[ChronicTeutonic]

In order of the images:

1) Remove the plastic cover
2) Attach a shackle to the lifting eye
3) Install support over engine compartment, attach shackle to threaded lifer, and use the lifter to release the tension on the engine mounts.



Now that is the factory way, but I'd just follow steps 1 and 2 then rent a cherry picker and hook it to the shackle to release the tension on the engine mounts. If you're a good welder I'm sure you could make up a tool like the one shown in the image. BTW that engine support is a pretty standard item in the VW/Audi world, I recall seeing a similar item in the service manual for my old Jetta IV.

Now I'll paraphrase the rest just to avoid any copyright issues...

4) Remove the right wheel. Drop the belly pan
5) Unbolt the four nuts retaining the anti-roll bar (no need to remove the bar just unbolt it so you can get to the rest of the stuff)
6) Remove the nut that attaches the wiring harness to the mount bracket.
7) Remove the nut that attaches the engine mount to the support bracket. The remove the bracket itself by undoing three bolts that attach it to the frame.
8) Remove the clip holding the A/C refrigerant line.
9) Disconnect the electrical engine mount harness (must be to monitor for wear?) Unbolt the mount from the engine block.
10) Remove the front axle heat shield
11) Disconnect all connections from the starter and unbolt it from the bellhousing.

Reinstall is reverse here are the torque values (IMPORTANT):
Starter to trans - 65nm
B+ Terminal to starter - 16nm
Ground strap to starter - 22nm
Engine support to block - 42nm (use locktite)
Drive shaft heat shield - 23nm

[SuperAvant]

Great thanks!

[SuperAvant]

Ok so the problem here appears to be the solenoid. Which makes sense because if it were the starter and the solenoid was good, the starter would still click. Now, genuineaudiparts does sell just the solenoid so I am wondering if I should just get the solenoid or the who starter...

[ChronicTeutonic]

Bump... I added the rest of the steps and torque values...

[ChronicTeutonic]

SuperAvant, are you going to do this? Would you mind taking pics and collaborating on a DIY?

[SuperAvant]

SuperAvant, are you going to do this? Would you mind taking pics and collaborating on a DIY?

Certainly - I am going to do it this weekend. I am going to see if I can get it done without removing the engine mount...

[ChronicTeutonic]

I'm guessing all this removal of bits just makes it "easier" to extract the thing... maybe the Audi mechs aren't allowed to cuss on the job so they have remove the engine mount in order to keep swearing to a minimum?

[3 bar]

I didnt have to do any of this I just unplugged the cables and removed the bolts to the starter. A little knudge when the starter housing was in the mount bracket and it came out and in. I got a rebuilt starter from partstrain for $117 + 100 dollar core charge.

[Quattroownsyou]

I have the same problem...from time to time. Funny thing is when i use my other key, my car starts every single time without any issues.

[Justincredible]

3 bar

After you replaced the solenoid. did they tell you what or why the solenoid failed? Did they find something that would be a issue that might come back later in the solenoid?

[3 bar]

3 bar

After you replaced the solenoid. did they tell you what or why the solenoid failed? Did they find something that would be a issue that might come back later in the solenoid?

I replaced the starter and the solenoid. for $117.00! They told me the solenoid was shot but the rest of the components were worn as well. They only told me it was shot. They didnt give me an explination as to any weak link within the solenoid.

[AndreNY]

well im joining the crw im having the same issues, so im assuming the Starter SOlenoid is the major cause for the car not starting?