I have a 99.5 a4 1.8t tip, I have had this problem for awhile, once or twice a day the car wouldnt start, if i tried to start it right after i stop the motor or after driving long distances it wont start. I change the starter and it was fine for a couple of days and now it start happening again. What can be the cause of this? what can i check? what can i replace? My car have 103,000 miles on it. Thanks! any advice would help.

 

Just one idea, maybe next time it happens, hold the key in the start position and move the shifter around a little bit (with the brake on) and see if it starts then. and see if it starts in neutral.

 

Is it turning over and not starting, or does the starter not engage at all? Actually, my 98.5 A4 tip just started doing this - I have to wiggle the shift **** to get it to turn over once every 10 times or so. I'm thinking it is a switch problem.

 

Was the 99 always turning over? If the engine tries to start , its "turning over", and thus, the starter would be engaging. The 98 sounds like a neutral start switch, hopefully its not bad contacts in the starter. Although i'm just guessing here.

 

Well, it sound like it turns over but just doesnt wanna catch on(start)...like it make that starting noise but doesnt start....hope you know what im trying to say....cant figure it out

 

Its your wheel bearing, after extensive research i have done if your wheel bearings are bad they will go and if its your front left wheel bearing it will pull to the left causing the oil in your pan to be shifted to the right away from the oil pump and whn you shut your car off there is no oil at the pump. Make sense?

On a serious note, VAG your car see if any codes are thrown. Your ICM will act similar to what you describe.

 

Thanks...yes it make sense...soo if its the wheel bearing, how hard is it to replace? and where can i get it? cost? and whats ICM?

 

Once a code is thrown, isnt the check engine light on permanently or until its cleared?

 

not sure what your saying or asking?

 

I was just asking trailboss a question.

by the way, only trailboss's last sentence in his post isn't a joke. Its not the wheel bearing.