Got in the car last night, turned the key, car started but ran roughly for a second or two then died. It cranks just fine but won't start. I'm thinking fuel problem. Car is a 2001 A4 1.8T with 120K miles. Pulled the codes, but all it shows is "bank 1-3 lean" due to a vacuum leak (which I've had for awhile). The car is on the street in front of the house of one of my wife's co-workers, so I want to get in and out with the minimum of drama and mess. What's the best troubleshooting strategy? I was able to check the fuel pump fuse last night and it's OK. I was going to go over today and check the FP relay, and if that's OK then check the power at the pump and if that's OK then I'm guessing I'll have to replace the pump. Does this sound reasonable? Since it's a holiday my repair time will be limited, any suggestions for other areas to look into would be gratefully received!

 

Timing belt? Crank sensor? Fuel Pump? Fuel Pump relay? Wet ECM?
Just some ideas that come to mind.
Hoppy Easter!

 

OK, so I checked again, the car once again started the first time I cranked it, but died immediately. I pulled the FP relay and hooked it up to the battery and heard it click, so that's not the problem. Then I jumped the fuel pump and didn't hear anything from the back, so I'm guessing that's the problem. I've noticed that sometimes right after I start the car I hear this noise like somebody's dragging an empty cardboard box behind the car, is this a symptom of a failing fuel pump? Just curious, I'm having the car towed to a shop tomorrow, as I can't afford to miss work right now, so maybe it's a moot point.

 

You don't think it's a coil pack issue?

 

Coil pack's,wouldn't stop a car from starting.

It definitely sounds like his fuel pump,being the noise coming from the rear of his B5.

I ran out of gas,last week,for the very first time,since I've owned Audina.

when i failed to even look at the fuel gauge and thought something was wrong with Audina,i heard a real loud noise,coming from the rear of Audina,so i looked at the fuel gauge and it was at the E mark...duh!

I was out of 93 octane, the noise was the fuel pump,sucking air! which isn't good for the fuel pump as it can burn out your fuel pump,if you keep starting your car,when the tank is empty.

 

Umm....how do you get a car started if the coil packs are broken? There wouldn't be any spark!

 

You have 4 coil packs on the engine. It is not likely that all 4 went bad at the same time.

 

I had 2 bad at the same time... car wouldn't start. So technically, bad coil packs would prevent a car from starting.....