Trying to Diagnosis Starting Issue

[Still Lost]

I've been having an intermittent issue since getting my S4 (6spd, 120k.) It only seems to occur on a cold start.

When I depress the clutch and turn the key I get nothing from the engine, all of the interior lights come on and the display says "Press Clutch to Start" yet I'm pressing the clutch and turning the key and nothing happens. Sometime I will turn the key once and it will turn over, other times I'm turning it 3-4-5 times and this morning it was probably 8 or so times.

After searching I've come to the thought that it is one of these 4 issues, I'm just looking for a way to narrow it down to one.

- Starter
- Ignition Switch (leery of this b/c this is mentioned when they key stays in the start position)
- Clutch engagement switch
- Crank Shaft Sensor

If anyone has any thoughts or past experience it would be greatly appreciated.

[zillarob]

Hopefully either ign switch, or clutch switch.
If you hold the clutch in and switch the key a few times before it starts, prob ign.
If you hold the key to "start" and cycle the clutch to get it to start I would lean toward clutch switch.

[Still Lost]

anyone else w/ a similar experience?

[ThirdStrike]

ignition switch is shorting out. its about 20 minutes of work to replace.
crank position sensor will usually cause misfires and dtc errors
could also be your FP relay. but im betting ign switch

[zillarob]

Unplug the clutch switch and put a jumper in the connector. If it starts it was the clutch switch.
If it doesnt, there is a harness right by the pass engine mount with a giant black wire and a small black wire. Probe the small one, should see ~12v when you turn the key to "start".
If no 12v, then ign switch. If you see 12v and it still doesnt turn over, its the starter.

A wiring prob could cause this, but it is more than likely one of the three above. (and pray its not the wiring, hate tracking that shit down)

[emmwhat]

Unplug the clutch switch and put a jumper in the connector. If it starts it was the clutch switch.
If it doesnt, there is a harness right by the pass engine mount with a giant black wire and a small black wire. Probe the small one, should see ~12v when you turn the key to "start".
If no 12v, then ign switch. If you see 12v and it still doesnt turn over, its the starter.

A wiring prob could cause this, but it is more than likely one of the three above. (and pray its not the wiring, hate tracking that shit down)

make sure you get the right clutch switch, i believe there's 2, one in from of the pedal for cruise control shut off and one behind the pedal for starting

[8520]

My money is on clutch switch.

[zillarob]

make sure you get the right clutch switch, i believe there's 2, one in from of the pedal for cruise control shut off and one behind the pedal for starting

Yup, 2. And as usual, not the easy one. lol

[gte824j]

Hey Guys - I'm having the same symptoms as the original poster. 2001 S4, 6-speed, 182k miles. All stock except borla cat-back.


Intermittent starting issues with no codes. When I turn the key to ACC, I have cluster lights and battery gauge on lower right of cluster reads plenty of juice (15V or so). When I turn the key to the Start (cranking) position, I'll get a very brief cranking from the motor then it completely stops (motor not turning, but cluster lights stay on). If I keep the key held to the start position it will crank again normally and start right up. Sometimes I have to repeat this a few times. Until now I haven't had to do it more than 3 times max, but I realize I'm on borrowed time here. Gotta get it fixed.


I have no other issues while driving. No stalling, No RPM jumps, No hesitation. Driveability is normal.


From reading here, I don't believe its the Crank Sensor, as that is more likely to throw codes and have stalling/driveability issues.


As stated in this thread, I'm guessing its the 1. Ignition Switch or 2. Clutch engagement switch. Anybody have the part numbers? Thanks.

[karmannsport]

I had the random no start issue as well...it was the clutch safety switch. Went at around 115K miles. Expensive as hell for what it is and like many other things on the car, you have to be a contortionist to fix it. Turn key, no crank, nothing, but everything else looks and feels fine.

[JDM EJ1 95]

check the big ground on the pass side engine mount. remove and clean it up well.. i had similar issues.

[Rated S]

99% clutch switch. My car has same problem; too lazy to fix.

[karmannsport]

I had the random no start issue as well...it was the clutch safety switch. Went at around 115K miles. Expensive as hell for what it is and like many other things on the car, you have to be a contortionist to fix it. Turn key, no crank, nothing, but everything else looks and feels fine.