Hope that I'm posting this in the correct place.

I have a 2001 A6, 2.8 Quattro that I'm having difficulty starting. It cranks, but turns slow, proceeded by a metal on metal grinding sound. Once I hear that sound, I stop and then try to start again and it starts; hesitantly, but it starts. Cold weather seems to affect starting the vehicle. If it's cold out, it takes a few more tries to get it started.

More recently, the engine wouldn't crank at all. In frustration, I slammed on the brake pedal while trying to start the engine and it started cranking, with clicking noise... The tachometer was jumping up and down as well. Since then, I've had to slam on the brake pedal a few times to get it to crank.

Today, I have nothing. I can hit the brake and nothing... I'm trying to figure out if it's an electrical (relay) issue, the solenoid, or the starter itself.

Any ideas?

 

Is the battery good? Try jump starting the car. If it starts, you need a new battery

 

Thanks for your response.

The battery is only a few months old. And has worked fine. Additionally, I have power to everything when I turn the car on.

I did hook up an external jumper box this morning and the car started, but not with me hitting the brake pedal a few times and the ticking and grinding noises. I took a video and will upload it soon. I'm thinking it's a power issue? Possibly the solenoid?

 

Here's a video of the clicking and grinding sounds. The tachometer occasionally jumps while trying to start the car.

 

Definitely does not sound healthy. I hate to turn someone away from this forum, but i would post this over at audizine with the video as it makes a more clearer picture than words. The b5 a4 section has the most traffic so i'd check there.

Have you scanned the car for codes?

 

No, Haven't scanned the car for codes. I'm taking her in tomorrow. I'm a DIY guy, but this is over my head I think. I'll update when I find out what's wrong.

 

The grinding noise definitely sounds like the cam chain tensioner on the drivers side. Try unplugging the solenoid on the tensioner and see if the sound goes away. I have an 01 2.8 a6 with the exact same issue right now. The hard cold starts cold be a number of things. Does your coolant temp gauge act up? A likely cold start problem is a bad coolant temp sensor.

 

It was bad connection to the starter.