Starter Issues; B6 S4 - Attempting Official Resolution

[Clun9]

Bringing this back from the dead... problems starting. Guess I have to replace mine.

[AUDIocee]

I've got a 2004 S4. I went through the whole scenario back in 2007/8. 4 trips to the dealership over almost 8 months. On my first visit, I had asked them to test the starter as I believed it to be faulty. They changed the clutch switch, ignition switch, then the clutch switch again. I finally had enough and sat the service mgr down and told him to replace the starter. Once the starter was replaced, the S4 was good to go.

Now, in the last couple of months, the issue has come back. So, it looks like the starter is only good for about 4-5 years before the solenoid goes bad.

If I do change it myself, I'll try to see if I can put some heat shielding in there, or heat reflective tape... something.

[Jake@JHM]

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Jake

[skone013]

Mine went this morning. Turned key everything came on but no turn over. Tired like 6 or 7 times b4 just popping the clutch to get to work. Mg audi guy works at the dealer and has his own shop after he leaves there. His first words out his mouth was it's prob the starter. Sure enough just called me few min ago and checked the starter right away like they should and it's done. Idk why audi dealers are quick to blame other issues and I'm glad I didn't have to go through All these steps like some of u guys. Any ideas on a decent aftermarket starter?

[Jake@JHM]

Mine went this morning. Turned key everything came on but no turn over. Tired like 6 or 7 times b4 just popping the clutch to get to work. Mg audi guy works at the dealer and has his own shop after he leaves there. His first words out his mouth was it's prob the starter. Sure enough just called me few min ago and checked the starter right away like they should and it's done. Idk why audi dealers are quick to blame other issues and I'm glad I didn't have to go through All these steps like some of u guys. Any ideas on a decent aftermarket starter?

There aren't any aftermarket starters made specifically for these cars. We have the OEM starter for a hard to beat price though.

[Craz1000]

wow ECS has the valeo starter for $40 less

[BigBrownDog]

I'm seeing the exact same symptoms here with my B6 S4 -- definitely tied to the cold weather. Just placed an order for a new Valeo starter, hopefully I can get it installed later next week and my cold-start issues will be resolved.

[paul61]

This is an ancient thread, but I cringed reading it. I will attempt to correct it for the next person that may have this issue?!
1st: if you don't own an ohm meter and test light, and don't have basic electrical troubleshooting skills.......take it to a garage 😁
2nd: FKN Missleading info. There IS a starter relay! It's located under the ECU at far end of relay holder. Labeled "395", but I've seen substituted Ford relays in there.
3rd: Open the 2 prong connector, closest to Maff, located on firewall. Use the test light to determine if there's power to the large red wire (starter) when the key is turned to start position. The other wire in the connector (blue) is to the alternator. If u have power here when key is fully turned.....chances are the starter is fkd, or power is not getting to the solenoid from a wiring issue from this point?
4th: the starter relay is powered by the ignition switch, the ground side of the relay coil is provided through the clutch micro switch. You can verify the micro switch is operational by a continuity test to ground, when pedal is depressed. You can verify the ignition switch power is getting to relay with a test light at this point.
5th: "Process of elimination". Trace the power from tge ignition switch at the relay, to the starter solenoid this way and you WILL locate the issue (s).
I've seen S4's not starting from corrosion at this relay. Especially if some heavy handed moron has broken the ECU cover, and drove it this way for a while?!

Btw........we do 4.2 chain service.....if you're in the Toronto area?!
Sometimes have 5 x 4.2's in shop at one time.
Cheers and good luck.
Paul

[g huns]

There's a beautiful, silver 2004 S4 for sale near me with the same symptoms. They want 2k for it. Black and white Recaros, super clean, but 170K miles and an automatic. But I'm still sooooooooo tempted.