Push Putting Working Intermittently

[Tvall13]

Guys,

Over the last 2 weeks my push button start seems to only be working about 75% of the time. The other 25% it just turns the car on but doesn't start it. I have a 2013 S5 6spd. I had it at the dealer for my inspection and told them about the issue but they didn't fix it. I brought it home and it was doing the same thing. Before anyone says something stupid YES my foot is all the way down on the clutch and YES my other foot is on the brake. I took a video last night when I got home from work where it didn't start about 7 times of pushing the start/stop button in a row. I even took my foot off the clutch and brake and put it back on a few times to test. I showed the dealership the video but I assume they will just call me in a few hours and say they couldn't replicate the issue (this is what they do with every issue I seem to have). Any thoughts on what this could be? The battery in the key seems good and the car always recognizes the key.

[ryanhmusic]

Guys,

Over the last 2 weeks my push button start seems to only be working about 75% of the time. The other 25% it just turns the car on but doesn't start it. I have a 2013 S5 6spd. I had it at the dealer for my inspection and told them about the issue but they didn't fix it. I brought it home and it was doing the same thing. Before anyone says something stupid YES my foot is all the way down on the clutch and YES my other foot is on the brake. I took a video last night when I got home from work where it didn't start about 7 times of pushing the start/stop button in a row. I even took my foot off the clutch and brake and put it back on a few times to test. I showed the dealership the video but I assume they will just call me in a few hours and say they couldn't replicate the issue (this is what they do with every issue I seem to have). Any thoughts on what this could be? The battery in the key seems good and the car always recognizes the key.

my bet would be there's either something wrong with the button's contacts or the wiring. maybe an intermittent short to ground?

if I were you, I'd probably skip the dealer and try replacing the button myself -- I believe the part is decently cheap and I know the job is easy. If it fixes it, yay; if not, have them try and investigate it.

I've found in the past if the issue is easily fixable or there's a theory to test, its easier to do so yourself than trying to get the dealership on board, especially with an issue that isn't 100% repeatable. this is just what i do though so your mileage may vary.

[HazeMyth]

Have you tried holding in the Start button rather than just giving it one firm press? Perhaps even wiggle the button a bit while it's pressed, just to see if it suddenly starts.

Being that the problem is intermittent, I'm not inclined to personally believe this is an issue with your clutch pedal position, especially if you're mindfully digging your foot into the pedal to make sure it's not a clutch pedal position issue. Yes, it's possible to have start problem because the clutch pedal position needs to be adjusted (due to wear on parts over time), but I'm more inclined to believe your start button is wearing out. It might be time to get one of those fancy start buttons with the red rings around them.

[Tvall13]

Thanks guys. I have tried holding it down for a while instead of a firm press but no luck. I'll see what they say and maybe just undertake the project myself.

[HazeMyth]

What year is your car, by the way? It's my understanding that the push button on some years does have two different positions, much like how the gas pedal on the DSG has two positions, one being full throttle and one being full throttle that will automatically downshift. With the shift button positions, one is specifically for accessory and one is for engine start. If you have one of the buttons that has two positions, that could explain why your car never fails to get into accessory mode mode, but sometimes fails to start the engine. I know the FL does not have two positions on the button, but I'm not entirely sure which years had the buttons with two positions.

[TTRStud]

Thanks guys. I have tried holding it down for a while instead of a firm press but no luck. I'll see what they say and maybe just undertake the project myself.

Definitely take this project yourself. Here's my advice, as I recently replaced my button with an rs5 (red ring) button: pull upwards evenly on the shifter's leather boot (leave the shifter knob in place). The shifter boot will detach from the center console and you'll be able to pull it upwards, making some clearance for you to see under the center console. Verify that the harness that connects to the button is pushed all the way in and not loose. If you need more clearance, you can stick your hand inside the hole that became available after you pulled the boot off, and pull upward on that - the entire center console will detach, allowing you access to the button from the driver side, as well as from the shifter hole. BE CAREFUL if you decide to pull off the center console, as there are MANY harnesses that attach to it and you don't want to break any. You don't need to pull off the center console entirely, only enough to where you can tilt it up and get 2-3 inches of clearance.

If the button's connector is good, you should look into replacing it yourself. It's a matter of simply pushing it upwards from underneath. If you have any questions or if the instructions are not clear, look for the thread I started on this a few weeks back, with detailed instructions towards the end of the thread. Best of luck, this is easy stuff! :)