Car won't start - after changing spark plugs yesterday

[quattro_silver]

I changed my spark plugs yesterday, drove the car 2x last night and it drove great (I did smell some gas though). It idles just below 1k and everything seemed fine. Today I drove to work, went out to lunch with the car.. no problems.

However, I just went to start the car up to go home and it won't start. The only thing I changed was the spark plugs (NGK BRK7E) and I gapped them to 0.028. My battery is at 12volts when I try to start the car so I don't think it's the battery.

Any ideas why the car won't start?

EDIT: I switched coil packs 4 & 5 during the installation to see if #4 was bad. (not sure if this has anything to do with it though)

[infinkc]

Does it crank?

[quattro_silver]

Does it crank?

Yes, I believe it does

[micahmr2]

Yes, I believe it does

It either cranks or it doesn't?

[airjawed]

Pull the plugs...maybe you broke one of them trying to re-gap?

[quattro_silver]

Pull the plugs...maybe you broke one of them trying to re-gap?

Even if 1 plug and/or coil pack wasn't working.. wouldn't the car still start? (it would be rough) or would the car not start at all?

[CELison]

see if its getting fuel. Rtl5009's car randomly didn't have the pump work for whatever reason yesterday. Pulled the relay, put it back in and it started. No idea why it happened

[quattro_silver]

see if its getting fuel. Rtl5009's car randomly didn't have the pump work for whatever reason yesterday. Pulled the relay, put it back in and it started. No idea why it happened

How do I tell if it's getting fuel? Also, which relay are you pulling?

(I checked the fuel pump fuse and that seems ok)

[CELison]

The relay is under the knee bolster.

[quattro_silver]

The relay is under the knee bolster.

thanks, now how do you go about checking to see if it's getting fuel? This whole thing is weird because the car was running today and then all of a sudden won't start. Does anyone know if the car would still start if 1 coil pack and/or spark plug wasn't working?

[CELison]

it would start, just run like shit. Pull a fuel line and see if it primes.

[airjawed]

I don't really think one coil or plug would cause a no start condition. But, since you did some work on the plugs/coils I would look back into that and check on anything else that may have been knocked off or unplugged in those areas you worked. It could be something as simple as not clipping the coil connector.

[quattro_silver]

I don't really think one coil or plug would cause a no start condition. But, since you did some work on the plugs/coils I would look back into that and check on anything else that may have been knocked off or unplugged in those areas you worked. It could be something as simple as not clipping the coil connector.

But again, if it was just ONE coil connector it should still start.. at least you would think. I'm starting to wonder if it's the Ignition Control Module. The cars parked at work now, but the true test would be to see if I can get a spark from the coil packs themselves.

[SRSslpr]

Had this same issue when I changed my spark plugs last time. To answer your question about the car starting with one bad coil/sparkplug, yes it would start. When I had my issue I tried just about everything to get my car running. I finally as a last ditch effort pumped the gas while trying and starting the car. After a few attempts while pumping the gas the car tried to start; didn't quite turn over, but was very close to firing up. Gave it one last go while giving the gas pedal a few really good pumps and the car fired up. Will I sit here and immediately tell you that pumping the gas pedal without the car starting is a good idea, No I won't. You can flood your engine and actually cause it not to start. I will suggest you at least give it a try since it seems like it is the same issue that I was having. In conclusion, it sounds like you aren't getting any fuel for whatever reason. Hit me up if you have any questions.

[quattro_silver]

Had this same issue when I changed my spark plugs last time. To answer your question about the car starting with one bad coil/sparkplug, yes it would start. When I had my issue I tried just about everything to get my car running. I finally as a last ditch effort pumped the gas while trying and starting the car. After a few attempts while pumping the gas the car tried to start; didn't quite turn over, but was very close to firing up. Gave it one last go while giving the gas pedal a few really good pumps and the car fired up. Will I sit here and immediately tell you that pumping the gas pedal without the car starting is a good idea, No I won't. You can flood your engine and actually cause it not to start. I will suggest you at least give it a try since it seems like it is the same issue that I was having. In conclusion, it sounds like you aren't getting any fuel for whatever reason. Hit me up if you have any questions.

Did you end up replacing any parts? Or was the car fine after that..

[OHS4]

lol you can unplug an ignition control module and the car will still run, one coil probably wont cause a no start.

[DiscoPotato]

lol you can unplug an ignition control module and the car will still run, one coil probably wont cause a no start.

Yes actually it could... They are all grounded into eachother like a chain.

If the first grund it taken out, the whole bank can go.

[micahmr2]

lol you can unplug an ignition control module and the car will still run, one coil probably wont cause a no start.

Speaking of ignition modules, did you unplug both of them for some reason when pulling the plugs? If so maybe you have them swapped. This will cause a no start.

[julex]

you can idle (like crap) on just two cylindes (done that), maybe even one if you step on gas... If it doesn't start at all then most likely culprit (due to age of car) if fuel pump or its relay.

[Yankeefan7592]

could be just a cooensidenc, it may not have to do with the spark plugs. Can possibly be the cps mine is on its way out and sometimes it will start fine, but when it's hot it will just crank and won't start.

[DiscoPotato]

could be just a cooensidenc, it may not have to do with the spark plugs. Can possibly be the cps mine is on its way out and sometimes it will start fine, but when it's hot it will just crank and won't start.

Change it!

[Yankeefan7592]

Change it!

I don't get a code for anything though. I don't know if its the cam sensor or the crank. Supposedly they both give the same issue.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

I changed my spark plugs yesterday, drove the car 2x last night and it drove great (I did smell some gas though). It idles just below 1k and everything seemed fine. Today I drove to work, went out to lunch with the car.. no problems.

However, I just went to start the car up to go home and it won't start. The only thing I changed was the spark plugs (NGK BRK7E) and I gapped them to 0.028. My battery is at 12volts when I try to start the car so I don't think it's the battery.

Any ideas why the car won't start?

EDIT: I switched coil packs 4 & 5 during the installation to see if #4 was bad. (not sure if this has anything to do with it though)

You're guessing again... Scan for codes.

If it doesn't start it's either not getting one of two things.. fuel or spark. Find out which is missing.

[quattro_silver]

UPDATE: It's at my mechanic now, I had to get it towed earlier. He was able to get it started but then the car died.. He said it's getting a spark so he's thinking it may be fuel related. I'll update this thread when we figure out what it is. It's just weird that it started for him and then died.

[quattro_silver]

UPDATE: My mechanic just called and said it's the fuel pump. He quoted me $180 for labor + $400 for the pump.

Hopefully I'll be good to go after I replace the pump, the cars got 170,000 mi so it was probably time to change it. I appreciate all the replies back though!

[Cadiburns]

UPDATE: My mechanic just called and said it's the fuel pump. He quoted me $180 for labor + $400 for the pump.

Hopefully I'll be good to go after I replace the pump, the cars got 170,000 mi so it was probably time to change it. I appreciate all the replies back though!

Which shop did you take it to? Seems steep.

[quattro_silver]

Which shop did you take it to? Seems steep.

I agree, a bit steep. I took it to Rauch Performance in Lake Bluff. Normally I would just do it myself but kinda in a bind with the car. They do good work, they had to diagnose the car today
and then the labor for putting the new pump in comes out to $180 total. The Audi Exchange in Highland Park I believe is $175/hr which was my other option.

PureMS has an OEM (brand new) Fuel Pump for $333.07 (shipped) so I am getting charged a bit much for the pump.. oh well. I'll chalk it up to all the times they've helped me but never charged.

[Cadiburns]

Sucks. I have my oem sitting in a closet. Now that I've been in my fuel tank several times, it really takes no time.

[Monty23]

I would have sold you my stock pump for $50.... 89,000 miles on it...

[AudiSportB5S4]

$400?! Hope you're getting an 044 for that price :)

Also, $180 labor! Hope you're getting a full tank of gas after he drains yours for that price!!

[quattro_silver]

$400?! Hope you're getting an 044 for that price :)

Also, $180 labor! Hope you're getting a full tank of gas after he drains yours for that price!!

LOL, I know what you mean. I've never replaced the fuel pump on this car, how hard of a job is it? And how long does it usually take?

[AudiSportB5S4]

No more than 30 minutes! I wouldn't get a stock pump man.. If you are allocating that much to this repair, at least upgrade!!

[SRSslpr]

Sorry about not getting back to you sooner. No i never replaced any parts, but like I said it sounded like you weren't getting any fuel. Good to hear you got the problem figured out and solved.