I recently replaced my battery after the car wouldnt start one afternoon but lately I've noticed in the morning it is picky about starting on the first try. It cranks but sometimes a bit slow, or it will crank and keep cranking and seem like its got no fuel. If I turn the key off and back on it will start right up. I replaced the fuel filter about 6 months ago so I dont think its that. Once I start the car it will be fine the rest of the day it is just the first start of the day. Any ideas?

 

I think it's your ignition switch. I know there was a recall on it for the b5 a4 2.8, don't know if that covers the 1.8t as well... check with an audi dealer.

 

Has this been resolved?
Last 2 mornings, first attempt to start fails (I can hear it cranking), second attempt - it starts. If I try any other time, like during a day, it's fine.

 

Happened again this morning. Voltage, when turn the ignition key, is around 12-13 V, I don't think it's the battery. WTF? Tha car is only 60k miles
Drives fine, no CEL, no power loss

 

I was experiencing the same problem, and I thought it was bad spark plugs.

The local mechanic looked at it and said that it is probably the fuel pressure. And I think he is right since I turn on the car in the morning as soon as it starts I can hear inside the fuel getting sucked up on the back side of the car. Well my solution for that is I press the gas pedal few times when I try to start the car in the morning and that helps.

The other thing is, when I have a full tank, it starts much faster even when it is cold =) so yeah, I am ok with it as long as it works...

 

Get in the habit of turning the key on but waiting a few seconds before cranking the engine. That'll allow the pump to complete its run-up to get the system pressurized for starting. It's a good idea anytime, not just at cold start.

 

when your car sits for long periods of time (overnight) the check valve in the fuel pump slowly lets off pressure. it doesnt have anything to do with the temperature, just the time. put the key in and turn on the ignition, put your seatbelt on, then start the car. it will fire right up.

pressing the gas pedal doesnt do anything, with the exception of holding it to the ground when starting cuts off the fuel completely so you can start it if it becomes flooded. holding half throttle or pressing it a few times doesnt have any effect.

 

Well believe it or not, in my case I have tried waiting with the ignition on for quite a while before starting the car and it still does the same. But like I said somehow it works for me when I press the pedal, helps it to start faster. May be it is something else, I really have no idea.

 

I replaced my FPR, but the problem disappeared 2-3 days before the FPR job. Now, I am not sure, I put MMO (similar to Lucas UCL) in my tank, but I don't see how that would solve the issue.

 

When I had some starting issues it was because of the coolant temp sensor, the ecu uses it to determine fueling. I did also have a code for it that didnt set the check engine light. All I need to do was clean the contacts on the connector and it was good as new.