I drive a 2000 A4 1.8T Quattro.

Ok, so I was driving around for a good hour before stopping to run into a store real quick. Took me about 10 minutes. As I went to leave, my car failed to start. I'd turn the key, and it would sound like it's about to turn over until it stops.

Called AAA and they sent a guy to help. He successfully jump started the car almost instantly and he ran a test and said it could be my alternator. So I brought my car to a shop and they ran more in depth tests and told me that my battery, alternator, and starter are perfect. But the car was still loosing power! Any ideas what it could be?

And another quick question: I just had my power steering pump replaced, but the power steering feels really stiff. Is that typical after that repair? It's only been a day since the repair.

Thanks in advance guys.

Edit: It's been about an hour since I posted this and I went out and the car started normally.. strange. What would make it fail to start, then suddenly start working again??

 

Anyone? I'd love to know if I have to worry about the problem again. Today it seemed fine, but it did take longer for the car to turn over. Before I call Audi, I'd like to know what I'm in for.

 

the power steering should be the same as it was before, there could be air or something in there from the repair. if it still feels like that after a few days of driving take it back.

you could have a short to ground somewhere on the car thats draining the power. i couldnt tell you where to start looking as there are too many wires that could be doing it, but its an idea. you could start by measuring the parasitic drain on the battery while the car is off, that will tell you if it is a short or not atleast.

 

Thanks for the info. The place I brought it to said it couldn't be a parasitic drain, but I'm gonna call a more reputable mechanic to sort this out. Again, thanks.

 

Yesterday I go to turn the key and nothing. No noises, nothing. It's just like if I were to turn the key without pressing on the clutch. Jump starts fine.

I'm starting to get fed up with this car. Brought it to yet another mechanic after it failed to start yet again and they can't find any problems at all with the car. I have no idea where to go from here. I can't worry about it not starting when I go to drive it!

 

where in connecticut are you? if you want to take a ride over to my garage il take a quick look at it for you. send me a pm.

 

Awesome! PM sent.

 

Ok so the car seems to start fine sometimes and bad others. For example, this morning after leaving the car off all night (obviously) it started up instantly, but before leaving school to go home it took about 2 seconds longer to start. It was a clear difference. I had driven the car for about an hour to get to school, so it can't be the battery can it?

My worry is that the car wont start again and this is kinda getting annoying. Two different mechanics could not find the problem.

 

I have the same exact problem...and the only code I could pull was an engine coolant sensor...I am going to replace the spark plugs with sime NGK BKR6E's in the meantime.

Let me know if ghost finds anythign because I have the same problem, it's frusturating.

 

See the original post for details. Basically my car wouldn't start, so I replaced the battery (as suggested by mechanic) and it worked perfectly for about a month or so... now it's not starting again.

So new battery and the mechaninic says the alternator is fine. What could the problem be? I turn the key and hear a click only. No signs that the car is even trying to start.

Car is a 2000 A4 1.8T Quattro