I own a 1999 Audi A6 Quattro. The other day I went to start it up and all I could hear was the starter, trying to start the car. All of the lights and electronics work when I turn the key on, but when I turn the key it trys to start but never does. It has about 85,000 miles on it, so I was wondering if there was something I needed to replace that usually goes bad about now, that is preventing it from starting?


Thanks,
G

 

Either no spark, no gas or timing belt!

 

Because of all the electronics controlling the car you need to have a good battery with a full charge or you will get strange behavior such as the one you describe. How old is your battery???

 

^^ yea get that battery checked out.

 

Well it sounds like the starter was going... so I wouldn't assume battery.

Was the starter turning (engaging) the engine?

If it is the timing belt... it might be good that it happened while you weren't in motion.

 

I am having the same problem with the same car. I have had the charger on the battery all day with no change. Engine turns over, there is spark, I can smell gas, won't start...
Thanks for your help!

 

As most mentioned here I would start with the battery. I just replaced mine last week...82,000 miles...4.2L V8.

The issue didn't really present itself as a bad battery. I concocted up all sorts of different scenarios in my head. I did get it started and grabbed my volt meter to check out the charging voltage - ok. I then shut off the vehicle and the battery seemed to hold the charge and all lights/electronics worked. When I went to restart the voltage dropped to 3V...Bingo.

If anything pull your battery and bring it into your local auto parts supply store. They will run a load check on it for free. That will give you confirmation real quick.

 

('99 A6 Q- 150k and going)-I have had the same problems and a mech told me to check Air Sensor connection and clean- the second, leaky or clogged fuel injectors- mine sounded like it had no compression, i pumped the gas and it slowly began to fire each cyl (smokey (white) at the back)- i got a MIL- 6 codes- all read misfire on cyl- I had a fuel injection cleaning done and it has not happened since (2 yrs ago)- note all my wires and plugs where replaced 6 mths before this happened-

 

Have you had the anti theft system checked? If something happens to the chip in the key or the chip sensor in the ignition the vehicle will turn over but never start, as you described. That is where I would start.

 

My daughter has a '99 A6 Quattro that will not start. It turns over but won't start. I have replaced the fuel filter and changed the battery in it. Still no luck. As it turns over it tries to fire, but will not start. What do I check next?