Can some one explain the problem with my car to me?

Tried to start my car (2001 A4) and it was completely dead. Took it to the shop and he says it's a dead controller on a vacuum pump. Apparently there's a relay in this system that's connected to the ignition system.I've beensearching this board and I was wondering ifit couldbe the secondary air injection pump? If so, is there a chance it's covered by the extended warranty for emissions related components?

Thanks for any help.

 

Nevermind. They put me in touch with someone in the shop who was more knowledgeable and they explained that it was the Central Locking Pump. Apparently it's tied into the ignition system as part of the security system. I asked if it could just be bypassed but he said it would be more trouble than just replacing it.

 

LOL! Let me educate you for a second, NO EMMISION COMPONET WILL KEEP THE CAR FROM STARTING!!! The SAP's only function is to heat up the cats upon start up. The vaccum pump is only used on automatic models because it needs more vaccum to support the cruise control and transmission functions.

You need to have the shop pull the fault codes before ever replacing any parts, this has to be the dumbest shop i have ever heard of if thats what they are replacing and haven't even diagnosed it.

 

As I said in my second post, the information I had at first was from the guy who works the front at the shop and he didn't really know what he was talking about. After talking to the mechanic, I now know it's the central locking pump (actually the controller on it). Apparently it's tied into the ignition via the security system. I'd still like to know if I could bypass that relay if it's just a security feature. Replacing the pump/controller assembly ain't cheap.

 

Thats bull s***! NEVER, and i mean NEVER have i heard/seen a central locking pump cause a no start................EVER! And no its not tied to ignition system.
First off tell me what kind of no start you have, weather it be crank no start, or no crank no start.
Then post the fault codes here, and i'll be able to get a good start for you.
After the fault codes have been read (autozone does it for free) i can give you a basic diagnosis procedure for you to follow, checking for fuel, spark, sensors ect.

 

It won't crank at all. In fact,the message on my display telling me that I need to press the cluth to start won't clear when I hit the clutch. I figured for sure that meant it was the clutch switch and even told them that. I couldn't get it to bump start but they did. Guess my wife wasn't pushing hard enough .

I'd love to give you the codes but the car's at the shop and it's hard for me to get it to an Autozone. The shop specializes in VWs and the only code they mentioned was related to the pump controller. Woulda faultyclutch switch throw a code? The pump code may just be a coincidence. My car hasn't had any other problems.

 

A faulty clutch switch can cause the engine to not crank over, but thats also a rare occasion but not completely ruled out. The most common cause for this would be a batter issue, loose ground, ignition switch, or starter problem. Testing the starter system should be the first step in diagnosing the starter/battery, then moving on to harder to diagnose issues.
Just because they work on VW's doesn't mean they are smart by anymeans.

 

+1 to that

 

After doing some more research, I have found some people who had symptoms similar to mine as a result of a problem with their security system. Assuming that were the problem, does the factory alarm system cut power to the engine or just disable the ignition system? I ask because the shop claimed they were able to bump start it.

 

The factory alarm system won't stop the starter from firing. Now a 02+ A4 equipped with immobilizer (which your car doesn't have) will, hence the term "immobilizer"