I searched the past threads but didn't find exactly what I was looking for...

Car: 2003 Audi A4 3.0 6 speed with 36,525 miles

Problem: On cold mornings (15 degrees or below) I'll hop in my car and put my key in the ignition. A message on my cluster panels pops up and reads "press in the clutch to start". I will then press in the clutch and turn the key and nothing happens. Eventually the stereo and fan turns on running off the battery.... but nothing from the engine. I'll take the key out and try again, pressing in the clutch and turning the key and again nothing. There is no clicking, no whining, no struggling to start. Then it could be the 3rd time or the 20th time I press the clutch and turn the key and the car will start just fine. There are is no check engine light and the car runs absolutely perfect once started and won't have any problems starting again until the next cold morning.

Does anyone know what the problem is?

Could it be....
1. Water in the gas tank?
2. Frozen gas line?
3. Fuel Filter
4. Bad spark plugs?
5. Clutch problem?
6. Anything else?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

very strange one but try switching the ignition on and counting to 30 which should warm the injection system up and if that works it could be a failing coolant temp sensor

 

Typically a failing coolant temp sensor will allow the engine to run over repeatedly.
Id have the ignition switch checked.

 

This morning was a particular cold morning. I hopped in the car and threw the key in the ignition and counted to 30 one-thousand. The injection system must have warmed up exactly as you implied it would because it started on the first try.

Are there any other indications that I could have a failing coolent sensor that I should be on the lookout for?