Hi,

My 2000 Audi A4 won't start. What happened was that I drove it home after a 2 mile drive to the store and when I got there I heard a squeal coming from the rear passenger side. Turns out it was coming from around the gas tank.

After some research I figured out that it was probably the fuel pump making noise because of a clogged fuel filter. So - I removed the fuel filter and blew it out. It was definitely clogged up.

I put a new filter on, BUT, the car still won't start. The pump is working to some extent because I saw a slow drip coming off the fuel filter. So I tightened the fitting and the drip stopped. But it still won't start.

I hadn't heard any squeal before this one short trip to the store. So it's not like it was doing that for a while. Far as I know it just started during the one short ride.

Any ides what might be the cause at this point? I'm thinking that the pump failed. But maybe I'm wrong? I checked the fuses - no problem there. Any ideas?

 

Based on what you saw and heard I'd be inclined to agree on the pump - nothing else back there is mechanical and has anything to do with the fuel system.

 

The fuel pump does have a relay, when you turn the ignition to on, but dont try to start the car, do you hear the fuel pump engage and prime the line? If not, Id start by obv checking the FP fuse. If thats good then pull the FP relay out and jump the sockets with a small piece of wire with the key in the on position, there are a few different sockets, so you just have to poke around until you find the right ones with your lil piece of wire. If you eventually hear it kick on, then your relay needs to be replaced.
I'd be more inclined to say you burned out the pump, but before wasting money you should def rule out the small ****. GL

 

Off topic but Faster, are you gonna join us this weekend? The Evo is welcome.

 

hahahaha, the evo is farther away from driving at this point than the audi, I just bought a new chris tapp ecu with 2 tunes on it and a toggle switch to go between the two. Its a 1000cc 91 program and a 93+meth program. Comes with a whole bunch of stuff for quite a good deal. I was originally looking to get an 034 sem, but the price on the Tapp stuff was too good. I wont be at the meet, but expect to see me at the next.

 

I can almost guarantee you the fuel pump has failed. The squealing noise was it's death cry. There will be a slow drip from the filter if you unhook it, it's just the residual fuel draining from the lines and filter. On the plus side, Audi fuel pumps are easy to change, provided you have the correct tool(s). Pop the rear seat, unscrew the cover on the right side and there it is.

I was a Ford tech for 21 years (started with Audi November 2007) and we had to drop the tanks to change 90% of the pumps, and they failed with great regularity (job security???). I like working on Audi's MUCH better!