Car won't start - won't crank

**bigredx24x** · 11-22-2008 10:59 PM

So, I come out yesterday from work to go home and try to turn on the car and it wouldn't start.

What's more is that it would not even try to turn over - no cranking. The battery seemed fine (all interior lights came on, radio, and headlights) and I even attempted to jump it just in case...nothing. Being that it was 30 degrees out and nighttime and the car is still under warranty, I just called Audi Roadside and had 'em tow it to the dealer.

The guy at the dealer said they thought it might have been the clutch switch, but they tried that and it doesn't seem to be the problem. However, they said there is something wrong with that clutch switch circuit that they will have to troubleshoot.

Anyway, just wanted to see if anyone else had something similar happen to them...

**Justincredible** · 11-23-2008 01:47 AM

This seems to be a cold start issue when it gets cold out. The starter or the starter solenoid seems to get locked up and you need to get the car to warm up to start. You see alot of this around this time. Good luck getting Audi to fix it. They are going to plug into the car tell you that without a code there is nothing they can do. The worst part about this is that fact that there is no way the car can give you a CEL for the starter solenoid. Some dealerships seem to know about this others just don't know what to do.

**3 bar** · 11-23-2008 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by bigredx24x

So, I come out yesterday from work to go home and try to turn on the car and it wouldn't start.

What's more is that it would not even try to turn over - no cranking. The battery seemed fine (all interior lights came on, radio, and headlights) and I even attempted to jump it just in case...nothing. Being that it was 30 degrees out and nighttime and the car is still under warranty, I just called Audi Roadside and had 'em tow it to the dealer.

The guy at the dealer said they thought it might have been the clutch switch, but they tried that and it doesn't seem to be the problem. However, they said there is something wrong with that clutch switch circuit that they will have to troubleshoot.

Anyway, just wanted to see if anyone else had something similar happen to them...

Check my write up on "car wont start for 30 sec to 3 min WTF?"If you need help replacing the starter let me know. I live right up the road from you.

**bigredx24x** · 11-23-2008 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by 3 bar

Check my write up on "car wont start for 30 sec to 3 min WTF?"If you need help replacing the starter let me know. I live right up the road from you.

OK, thanks 3-bar, not sure how I missed that post...

I'll be in contact if the dealer doesn't fix it.

**bigredx24x** · 11-23-2008 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Justincredible

This seems to be a cold start issue when it gets cold out. The starter or the starter solenoid seems to get locked up and you need to get the car to warm up to start. You see alot of this around this time. Good luck getting Audi to fix it. They are going to plug into the car tell you that without a code there is nothing they can do. The worst part about this is that fact that there is no way the car can give you a CEL for the starter solenoid. Some dealerships seem to know about this others just don't know what to do.

I'll check w/ the dealership Monday and see if they have troubleshooted the solenoid, thanks!

**bigredx24x** · 11-24-2008 08:28 PM

So, got back the car today, but wasn't able to get there in time to talk to the service associate. I know that they replaced the starter, but not sure if they replaced the solenoid. I am a little worried that it just "worked" and the problem wasn't really the starter, but that it was the solenoid and they didn't replace it...so, we'll see i guess.

Originally Posted by Justincredible

Good luck getting Audi to fix it. They are going to plug into the car tell you that without a code there is nothing they can do.

Actually, HBL Audi in Tysons replaced it for free under warranty.

**Justincredible** · 11-24-2008 10:08 PM

wait till the first real cold day you will know if they fixed it or not

**SuperAvant** · 11-25-2008 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by bigredx24x

So, got back the car today, but wasn't able to get there in time to talk to the service associate. I know that they replaced the starter, but not sure if they replaced the solenoid. I am a little worried that it just "worked" and the problem wasn't really the starter, but that it was the solenoid and they didn't replace it...so, we'll see i guess.

Actually, HBL Audi in Tysons replaced it for free under warranty.

Im sure they would replace everything or the solenoid as that is much cheaper than the starter.