A4 Avant 2.0 TDI Engine problems..Seized?

[Dmaleck]

2005 Audi A4 Avant S-line

Hey all, I could really use to help to diagnose what is wrong with my car! I know the TDI is a little more rare because they didn't sell them in the states, I am currently stationed in Germany. Hopefully you may be able to give me some insight.

Story: My girlfriend was driving home last night and the car just shut off on the Autobahn, She said that no lights came on the dash, it just literally shut off. She pulled over on the side and could not get it restarted..This is when I arrived. I went to start it and all I got was a single "click" from the starter-nothing else. All the lights were working good, battery is fairly new. My 1st thought was starter but it doesn't explain the sudden shut off of the car..2nd thought was alternator but the lights ect did not dim out and then kill the car. Had the tow truck come and he put a booster pack on-same single "click" from starter . Plugged in my code reader and there are no codes stored. After the car got dropped off in my driveway I tried to bump start it ( my driveway is on a hill) as soon as the popped the clutch the tires just locked up. I had a friend come over today and we tried pushing it to get a little more speed..same thing, just came to an abrupt halt.

Some things I tried today: Drained some oil to see if any metal was in their, it looked good..no shiny metal pieces at all. I took serpentine belt off to make sure all the pulleys roll freely-they are all good. I jacked up the front of the car and put it in gear and spun the wheels..the wheels turn fine and I can hear the trans spinning fine..I was under the assumption that it would also spin the engine over?? Not sure why it locks up with tires on ground but not jacked up? I tried to get a socket on the harmonic balancer but it is so tight in between the radiator and balancer that I cant get anything to fit.

Oil level was good
Timing belt looks good, still tight and no missing teeth
No loss of coolant
I am at a loss!!

Does anyone have any idea? or come across any problem like this before? I just cant believe the engine would lock up with no warning and no audible bang or anything. Just blows my mind.

[papadelogan]

Put it in neutral and get a wrench on the crankshaft (if possible) and see if it will spin. Simplest thing also might be to check if there is oil in the pan. Audi's tend to warn you, but if the sensor wasn't working....

[RakkCity]

2005 Audi A4 Avant S-line

Hey all, I could really use to help to diagnose what is wrong with my car! I know the TDI is a little more rare because they didn't sell them in the states, I am currently stationed in Germany. Hopefully you may be able to give me some insight.

Story: My girlfriend was driving home last night and the car just shut off on the Autobahn, She said that no lights came on the dash, it just literally shut off. She pulled over on the side and could not get it restarted..This is when I arrived. I went to start it and all I got was a single "click" from the starter-nothing else. All the lights were working good, battery is fairly new. My 1st thought was starter but it doesn't explain the sudden shut off of the car..2nd thought was alternator but the lights ect did not dim out and then kill the car. Had the tow truck come and he put a booster pack on-same single "click" from starter . Plugged in my code reader and there are no codes stored. After the car got dropped off in my driveway I tried to bump start it ( my driveway is on a hill) as soon as the popped the clutch the tires just locked up. I had a friend come over today and we tried pushing it to get a little more speed..same thing, just came to an abrupt halt.

Some things I tried today: Drained some oil to see if any metal was in their, it looked good..no shiny metal pieces at all. I took serpentine belt off to make sure all the pulleys roll freely-they are all good. I jacked up the front of the car and put it in gear and spun the wheels..the wheels turn fine and I can hear the trans spinning fine..I was under the assumption that it would also spin the engine over?? Not sure why it locks up with tires on ground but not jacked up? I tried to get a socket on the harmonic balancer but it is so tight in between the radiator and balancer that I cant get anything to fit.

Oil level was good
Timing belt looks good, still tight and no missing teeth
No loss of coolant
I am at a loss!!

Does anyone have any idea? or come across any problem like this before? I just cant believe the engine would lock up with no warning and no audible bang or anything. Just blows my mind.

Might need to pop off the bumper and crash bar (not as hard as it sounds), then unbolt the service carriage to get some more clearance and try to hand crank the motor. You're right though, a sieze would be pretty loud.

Are you sure it's not electrical? Before I go diagnosing a siezed motor I'd at least get a fresh battery and see if it'll turn over. TDI's run much higher compression than gas motors and so it might feel siezed when you're trying to push-start it and the motor doesn't fire up.

[Dmaleck]

Thanks for the help guys. Is there a write up on removing bumper and crash bar? Unfortunately the bolt cannot be reached with a wrench or ratchet. I can try a different battery aswell, just doesn't make sense that it would die and all the lights-interior ect were working fine, not dim or anything.

The oil level is good

[Zoml]

If it is the 170hp version, it could possibly be a faulty injector(pumpedüse). IIRC the 170hp version is prone to them failing. Also it could be worth checking if the diesel filter is clogged.

[Dmaleck]

If it is the 170hp version, it could possibly be a faulty injector(pumpedüse). IIRC the 170hp version is prone to them failing. Also it could be worth checking if the diesel filter is clogged.

It's the 140 version. Also, would a clogged filter cause it to not turn over?

[RakkCity]

Thanks for the help guys. Is there a write up on removing bumper and crash bar? Unfortunately the bolt cannot be reached with a wrench or ratchet. I can try a different battery aswell, just doesn't make sense that it would die and all the lights-interior ect were working fine, not dim or anything.

The oil level is good

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ng-Belt-Change

There's a link in the first couple lines to another thread to remove the bumper, and this thread details how to remove the service carriage. You shouldn't have to drain the coolant or disconnect the lines, just undo the bolts for the service carriage, support it with a jack or blocks of wood, and pull it just slightly out of the way.

[Zoml]

It's the 140 version. Also, would a clogged filter cause it to not turn over?

Ah, I somehow understood that it would crank and just not start. Sounds mysterious.

[Dmaleck]

Ah, I somehow understood that it would crank and just not start. Sounds mysterious.

Nope, doesn't crank at all. just a "click"

[Dmaleck]

Pulled the valve cover today. Everything looks to be in perfect order, no dropped valves or weird wear of any kind. still boggling my mind.

[ConradMarais]

Did you find the problem, exact same thing happened to my wife today, please help

[Theiceman]

guy hasn't posted in 4 and half years, doubtful you will get a reply.