Engine start blocked by immobilizer P1570

[Mailbox14]

All,

2005 Audi A4 B6 1.8T 220, 000 km.

Looking for some help. Turned my car off today and when I tried to start it again it would not start. It wouldn't even turn over. All lights, radio etc are working however. I tried a batter booster but I didn't even get a spark on the batter connectors.

I did notice that morning starting it had a little hesitation before it actually started. Nothing serious to give me any indication of a problem.

Had it autoscanned completely and the only error showing is:

Engine start blocked by immobilizer P1570

I need some ideas on where to start. My first choice was starting it with the valet key/immobilizer key, that I never thought I would use, but that didn't do anything. My next step is I think I will disconnect the battery.

Any ideas would be appreciated once again.....

[Mailbox14]

All,

2005 Audi A4 B6 1.8T 220, 000 km.

Looking for some help. Turned my car off today and when I tried to start it again it would not start. It wouldn't even turn over. All lights, radio etc are working however. I tried a batter booster but I didn't even get a spark on the batter connectors.

I did notice that morning starting it had a little hesitation before it actually started. Nothing serious to give me any indication of a problem.

Had it autoscanned completely and the only error showing is:

Engine start blocked by immobilizer P1570

I need some ideas on where to start. My first choice was starting it with the valet key/immobilizer key, that I never thought I would use, but that didn't do anything. My next step is I think I will disconnect the battery.

Any ideas would be appreciated once again.....

Sorry all. Just wondering if anyone had any ideas? I think this may have had to do with starting and stopping my car to diagnose a squeal/screetch that according to you experts may be to do with the idler pulley. This was done about 10 times in a row. If i were to put my finger on it would be related.

Please let let know if you need more info.

Thx again to all.

[old guy]

You have that P1570 code but I don't think your current problem is with the immobilizer. The immobilizer allows the engine to turn over and even start briefly but then it gets shut down. It doesn't block the starter from turning. Your problem sounds like either a bad starter, starter solenoid or power wire.

Check your battery terminal connections and all of your ground wire connections. You can use this link to check to make sure you are getting power to the starter. Clicky click®

Here's a really good link with a video to explain how the Audi/VW immobilizer system works: Clicky click®

[Mailbox14]

You have that P1570 code but I don't think your current problem is with the immobilizer. The immobilizer allows the engine to turn over and even start briefly but then it gets shut down. It doesn't block the starter from turning. Your problem sounds like either a bad starter, starter solenoid or power wire.

Check your battery terminal connections and all of your ground wire connections. You can use this link to check to make sure you are getting power to the starter. Clicky click®

Here's a really good link with a video to explain how the Audi/VW immobilizer system works: Clicky click®

Thanks oldguy. I did notice that day in which it didn't start back up that it did hestitate to start and then it started. If it were something to do with starter why would the battery not even spark when trying to connect power booster cables to the battery. Sounds like it may be more then a starter because I can hear the starter clicking when turning over. I just reseated terminal cables to the battery and still nothing. I will be checking the power wire next but I have my doubts.

Thanks again.

[old guy]

Turned my car off today and when I tried to start it again it would not start. It wouldn't even turn over.

Turn the key and nothing happens?

Sounds like it may be more then a starter because I can hear the starter clicking when turning over.

So are you getting a clicking noise but the engine doesn't rotate?

I need a better description of exactly what is going on to be able to help you. What you have described so far sounds like a low battery or a bad electrical connection.

[Mailbox14]

Turn the key and nothing happens?

So are you getting a clicking noise but the engine doesn't rotate?

I need a better description of exactly what is going on to be able to help you. What you have described so far sounds like a low battery or a bad electrical connection.

Sorry old guy let me try and make it clearer. Drove my car to an appointment. When I left that appointment I tried to start my car but it would not start. Luckily, someone tried to hook up a battery booster as my first thought was battery even though all the lights in the car (dashboard) and radio were working. The battery booster did nothing but the person who put the battery booster on noticed that even when connecting to the terminals he should see some sort of spark so he tried to ground it again and noticed he wasnt getting anything. He said battery was charged correctly but looks like something more. While the hood was up and while trying to start the car i can here the starter trying as i heard little clicks.

I waited a bit longer as I thought maybe it could be the temperature sensor(had similar experience one time with my previous audi) car didn't start even after waiting. Had the car vagcommed via autoscan and found the immobilizer error. Returned back that night with the extra set of keys I had to see if it would start but it didn't. Yes, I am getting these little clicking noises when turning the key to the right in the ignition but the engine doesn't even start. When I turn the key in the ignition, all the lights on the dash work but it doesn't start the car. That morning before the problem, i noticed the car hesitated before it started. And 3 days before that I brought my car to the shop because the engine was making a screeching noise when starting. Mechanic had me start and stop the car about 10 times so he can try and figure out where the noise was coming from. He didn't have any luck. Hopefully all this makes it a bit clearer for you old guy. What i was going to try next, after some threads i saw about this was to touch/hold the positive and neg battery terminal wires together for 30 seconds and see if my car starts after that.

Thanks

[F16HTON]

No need to hold the pos/neg together...

Sounds like an issue with the starter, possible bad solenoid.

[old guy]

No need to hold the pos/neg together...

Sounds like an issue with the starter, possible bad solenoid.

Agreed. Another possibility is a weak electrical connection that isn't allowing full voltage to reach the starter..

[Mailbox14]

No need to hold the pos/neg together...

Sounds like an issue with the starter, possible bad solenoid.

Man that will be big bucks :( when these cars are working they are nice cars but when they break, damn they break the bank :). Thanks 500HPS. Much appreciated.

[Mailbox14]

Agreed. Another possibility is a weak electrical connection that isn't allowing full voltage to reach the starter..

Thanks again old guy. I would love for that to be the answer rather then the actual solenoid :). I will let you all know what the solution is.

[Mailbox14]

Thanks again old guy. I would love for that to be the answer rather then the actual solenoid :). I will let you all know what the solution is.

Wow, old_guy and all. You all should be engineering the Audi's because you are dead on.

So the problem is with the starter, It is the small jumper wire from the solenoid to the motor (copper braided wire). That wire broke/spit due to vibration and corrosion. The question now is my mechanic is telling me he doesn't deal with rebuilding starters:) because I asked if he could just change. He said he did try and solder with no luck and would need to take the starter apart to replace the wire (more hassle then what it is worth). I was wondering is this wire a difficult job to replace? He suggested I get a new starter.

I have been quoted a new starter (not sure of brand) for 240 Canadian with 2 yr warranty. Audi wanted 399.00 with 1 yr warranty. My brain is saying if that wire can be changed I could save myself alot of money (but maybe I am being cheap:)) and would need to find someone to do it:)

Thanks again everyone. I have one more post is you call can look at.

Merry Christmas/seasons greetings to all!!

[F16HTON]

Just buy the starter and have it installed. It would be different if you had the means to do the repair yourself, quite often DIY workarounds may fail. If that happens, it could be at the worst possible time/place and potentially cost you quite a bit more $$.

[Mailbox14]

Just buy the starter and have it installed. It would be different if you had the means to do the repair yourself, quite often DIY workarounds may fail. If that happens, it could be at the worst possible time/place and potentially cost you quite a bit more $$.

Thanks 500HPS.

That is exactly what I did and the car is starting up now.

Thanks to all of you that have helped me through this. This forum is awesome!!

NOTE I have one other outstanding thread and I should be good to go once I get the answer:) I will then leave everyone alone as I have reached my quota on questions for the year:)