B7 S4 long crank time, need help!

[snowboardgod]

Hi guys!

I recently picked up a 2005.5 b7 S4.

I need some help here. Going to make this short and sweet. Timing chain job was just done a few months ago, all parts replaced and JHM mechanical adjusters used.

The car ALWAYS starts, doesn't die, it just cranks for longer then I think it should.

Pretty sure its a fueling issue. NO CODES. I had one for cal 5 misfire that was a soft code no CEL and replaced that coil pack.

Car will crank less if I turn the key and allow pump to prime. Issue seems to be a pressure loss? I have replaced so far, the fuel relay (made a difference but did not completely solve) and the fuel filter with oem (no difference here)

Thinking it could be the in tank pump, but looking for advice before buying a new one.

Car cranks for extended time, maybe 7-8 cranks, sometimes less, never more then that and it does always start. Runs perfect when its on, no hiccups, full throttle, no fuel cuts etc. AS I said no codes. If I shut the car off and after it is warmed up or has been turned on, it fires on the first crank so don't think its the coolant temp sensor. If I let it sit 30-45 mins, the cranking will happen, it is less dramatic significantly if I turn the key to ACC and allow it to prime.

Full timing chain job done 4 months ago less then 5k on that. New air filter, fuel filter, fuel relay, maf sensor... Im lost! Looking for any help I can get before I drop a pump in. Thank you all!

[badger.]

that how my car is and pretty much always has been

[TarlCabot]

mine does same as you describe.... i know my fuel pump is no longer holding pressure which is usually an indicator that it will be going out in the near future... but im not worried, ill tackle that job when it gets here

[roboto_1337]

I have an '06 and it's the same way... when I first got it I thought that I had to hold the ignition for too long, but it's normal for the car. Be thankful you've had the guides, tenstioners and adjustors done!

Welcome to the paranoia that comes with owning a B7 S4.

[snowboardgod]

that how my car is and pretty much always has been

Thanks for the reply. Good to hear someone else has the same thing happen. I have read in some posts that people consider it "normal" for these cars. I owned a b6 s4 about two years ago though w way more miles and never had chains done etc and don't remember it cranking like this.

I'm still thinking it's the beginning of the pump going or maybe the contacts on the pump or something. As I said there was an improvement w the relay replacement, but not a fix.

[snowboardgod]

I have an '06 and it's the same way... when I first got it I thought that I had to hold the ignition for too long, but it's normal for the car. Be thankful you've had the guides, tenstioners and adjustors done!

Welcome to the paranoia that comes with owning a B7 S4.

Thank you! Yes your not kidding. It's total paranoia! Yeah I just feel like I'm going to kill the starter or something it's crazy!! I read these cars are meant to drain the fuel back so it makes sense if it takes a while to get back up to the motor but not sure that's true. I feel slightly better hearing it's normal. I've got a. Newer battery, the starter is firing full power it's totally not like an electrical thing I don't think just literally seems like it takes a while for fuel to get to the front. As I said, full power and zero running issues once the car is on and starts with one crank if I turn it on like after getting gas etc only if it sits for a bit.

[snowboardgod]

mine does same as you describe.... i know my fuel pump is no longer holding pressure which is usually an indicator that it will be going out in the near future... but im not worried, ill tackle that job when it gets here

See this is what I was looking for... if replacing the pump fixes it I'm willing and able to buy and install just don't want to waste the $ if it's "normal" so maybe I'll do it this week then. So a fuel pump on the edge can cause this? I was told there's no check valve in the pump to hold pressure but not sure that's true or not.

[S4bro]

Had the same issue. Turned out to be the fuel pump

I'd check it or get it checked before you get stranded like i did lol. I knew it wasn't holding pressure, and wasn't priming (no sound). Prolonged it more than I should have and it gave out

[Koopsdeville]

I was having this same issue and was told I needed a reflash. I should mention i replaced a long list of parts before but for other issues I was having. Instead of getting a reflash I was gonna go jhm anyways so I did the tune instead which uses the latest software anyway as the base. I haven't had any issues since and its been almost 2 months. U should check if ur ecu has ever had a software update. If u hear ur pump prime on a cold start and doesn't whine while the car is running then it's possible ur pump is ok. Audi may tell u there isn't a tsb or ecu update but a reflash could fix this. The original software in the ecu is designed for a brand new running car with brand new parts. It shouldn't cost u anything to check if there's an update or if ur ecu has ever been updated. Good luck

Sent from my HUAWEI MT7-TL10 using Tapatalk

[snowboardgod]

Had the same issue. Turned out to be the fuel pump

I'd check it or get it checked before you get stranded like i did lol. I knew it wasn't holding pressure, and wasn't priming (no sound). Prolonged it more than I should have and it gave out

Thank you, I'm going To go ahead and try the pump replacement this week. In the end I'll have a new pump I guess and won't have to worry!

[snowboardgod]

I was having this same issue and was told I needed a reflash. I should mention i replaced a long list of parts before but for other issues I was having. Instead of getting a reflash I was gonna go jhm anyways so I did the tune instead which uses the latest software anyway as the base. I haven't had any issues since and its been almost 2 months. U should check if ur ecu has ever had a software update. If u hear ur pump prime on a cold start and doesn't whine while the car is running then it's possible ur pump is ok. Audi may tell u there isn't a tsb or ecu update but a reflash could fix this. The original software in the ecu is designed for a brand new running car with brand new parts. It shouldn't cost u anything to check if there's an update or if ur ecu has ever been updated. Good luck

Sent from my HUAWEI MT7-TL10 using Tapatalk

Very good info, thank you!

I'll see what I can find out today about the reflash. I also plan to go JHM as well so not too worried about the flash if that is it. I still think the pump may be having issues as stated.

[Koopsdeville]

Best of luck!

Sent from my HUAWEI MT7-TL10 using Tapatalk

[Hooblah]

I don't have this problem. I doubt it's considered 'normal'. Sounds like the pump to me.

[Lucca M]

Ive noticed that on jhm tune car cranks longer than on stock tune also when my fuel pump was on its way out it would crank longer than usual.

[snowboardgod]

I don't have this problem. I doubt it's considered 'normal'. Sounds like the pump to me.

I agree.

We tested the battery this AM, and it's borderline. The bolts dropped a bit lower then we would like to see with the car cranking which could explain this too, not enough juice. Ordered a new interstate battery and will update if that helps. Last will be fuel pump. Mine is NOT making noise, and it is priming fine when key is turned to ACC.

Hopefully the battery fixes it, as the pump itself may not even be getting enough power w the battery low. Starter and alternator check out fine.

[snowboardgod]

Just an update

Battery replaced w interstate brand new did not solve it but needed to be done anyways.

Last thing I'm going to try before the pump itself is the coolant temp sensor. Picked one up today. For whatever reason the car now seems to be starting perfectly fine at cold start even after sitting all night and hesitating when warmed up. For a cheap sensor it's worth a shot before I go after the pump.

[snowboardgod]

Well, tried the coolant temp sensor. No luck.

So I bit the bullet and bought an oem pump. I got lucky they are on sale right now through Europa parts so I saved almost 200$.

I really hope that this solves it cause if not, I'll have to live with it!

If anyone else he any ideas, or agrees it's a pump issue let me know!

Thank you all!

[a4Jerseyboi]

Well, tried the coolant temp sensor. No luck.

So I bit the bullet and bought an oem pump. I got lucky they are on sale right now through Europa parts so I saved almost 200$.

I really hope that this solves it cause if not, I'll have to live with it!

If anyone else he any ideas, or agrees it's a pump issue let me know!

Thank you all!

TBH i have this same issue with my b7 s4 and had the fuel pump replaced, bc the shop I go to advised this was the issue...needless to say the pump did not change the issue, I mean it's good I got it replaced so I don't have to worry about it later in its life (currently at 83k) but I was discouraged it did not fix it after dishing out the $$$$ it took to replace.

It still cranks a lot ,but like others have said, if I leave it on ACC for a few seconds it'll start right away. Ironically what I've noticed is if I shut off the car and leave my phone charger plugged in, when I get back and start it up it'll crank like no ones business...so I may start thinking its the battery...let me know what you guys think

[snowboardgod]

TBH i have this same issue with my b7 s4 and had the fuel pump replaced, bc the shop I go to advised this was the issue...needless to say the pump did not change the issue, I mean it's good I got it replaced so I don't have to worry about it later in its life (currently at 83k) but I was discouraged it did not fix it after dishing out the $$$$ it took to replace.

It still cranks a lot ,but like others have said, if I leave it on ACC for a few seconds it'll start right away. Ironically what I've noticed is if I shut off the car and leave my phone charger plugged in, when I get back and start it up it'll crank like no ones business...so I may start thinking its the battery...let me know what you guys think

So I just replaced my fuel pump today w oem vdo. Might be too early, but after several different attempts in all situations it seems to have fixed my issue. Earlier today I was still having the same issues, shut the car off and 10min inside the store, come out and get the extended cranking. Visually I didn't see anything noticeably wrong w the old pump. And I am not sure if there is some form of check valve on this pump that was not holding pressure. I can hear the pump priming clear as day now w key on ACC and it's firing on the first crank. Again, hopefully it lasts, but so far so good. My next guess would have been the crank sensor.

Total items I replaced that did not fix the issue:

Fuel filter
Fuel relay w updated relay from dealer
Coolant temp sensor

Thank you to everyone that commented and I'm happy the pump seems to have fixed it, I will update if it starts up again.

[snowboardgod]

Forgot to add, I also replaced my battery, also did not help. But could be your issue^^

[snowboardgod]

Full day and several more starts where it would have done it earlier and it's running perfectly!

Hopefully this can help anyone else who has the same experience in the future. I would have thought a fuel pump was either working or not, but apparently they can die in different ways...

[Aforce6]

I know this is an old thread but I just recently bought a 2006 S4 25q and after about two weeks started having a similar issue. Long crank time like up to 10 seconds always starts and most times I crank it for a few seconds and then stop and turn the key again and it starts right up. If its only like 10-30mins between start up times it starts up fine or if the car sits for a weeks it fires right up. but every time after sitting for 30+ mins it takes longer than it should to start. No issues once it started and running other than once in awhile when sitting at idle after its warmed up and been driven I can notice a miss fire and a drop in rpm. The car has never died but its almost seems like it will. On live data with a scan tool it will count about 10-15 misfires before resetting on cylinder 5 only. I replaced the spark plugs and swapped the coil pack from cylinder 5 to 6 to try to see if the misfire followed. No change in starting issue and still has a miss on #5. My next thought was to try moving #5 fuel injector to see if the miss follows because I've read that a leaking fuel injector can also cause the same starting issues as the failing fuel pump. And thought that could also be causing the misfire. Basically I'm trying to eliminate other things before dropping the almost $500 on a fuel pump if thats not the issue. Is there a way I can test if its the fuel pump or not that's going? or do i need to just suck it up and take the chance?