I searched through the forums here and AudiWorld and used all of the knowledge that I read to come to a conclusion, but it still troubles me a bit.

I recently had some issues with my 1999 A4 Quattro 1.8t AEB Manual.. .well, let's say it is an ongoing set of issues. The one that troubles me most right now is that it will not start via the key and standard ignition method. About 2 wks ago, I moved and accidentally left a dome light on overnight. I had some trouble starting the car, but got it running. I drove it about 160 miles before stopping it and it started right up again. So I ruled out alternator. I chalked it up to the stupidity of leaving a light on. A week later, same thing without the light left on. This time, no amount of driving solved the issue. Jump starting it got me running. I figured that I had fried the battery and it wasn't charging properly. I got a new battery, had the alternator tested and everything passed with flying colors. Everything's fine for another week. 4 days ago I drove 8 miles to do some shopping for a camping trip. Car started hard, but started. Stopped 3 times and each time car started right back up. 4th time, car wouldn't start. Coast started it and drove it for a bit, parked on a decline, stopped car.. wouldn't start. So, today I got under it and checked all of the usual suspects. Cleaned the leads going to the starter and solenoid. checked the fuses in the box. Checked to see if all of the relays were tight. Looked on forums for assistance. I finally did the light test by placing a tester on the small wire on the solenoid and had someone turn the key. Tester lighted indicating (correct me if I'm wrong) ignition and relay (if there is one for a manual transmission.. I couldn't find conclusive info) were fine and power was getting to the solenoid. No clicking or noise whatsoever at the starter and solenoid, only the clicking under the steering column from the relay board area. Am I right in thinking that this is a starter problem and should I go ahead and get a starter? Another test I did was to put the gator clip from my tester on one of the posts on the starter and poke the other end at where the larger wires meet at the solenoid. Without the ignition being on, the light in the tester illuminated. I'm guessing that this is ok since the circuit completes inside the solenoid to send the signal to the starter to start. (correct?).
Any assistance on this is greatly appreciated.
Oh, and yes, I did bang on the starter and solenoid a bit to see if I could get that to work.

 

Quick thoughts after reading 2 sentences, you burned out the battery. When a battery is old and you let it die it gets all this build-up on the plates and well ..... you now need a new battery. Everything minor will work but if you load test it you'll find I'm right. As always. I thought I was wrong once but I was wrong.

 

Yeah.. I replaced the battery. That was sentence #12.

 

Sounds like your solenoid is going bad. Try running a wire from the pos battery cable to the 50 post on the solenoid. If it starts cranking then the solenoid is probably shot. A test light usually won't help because power still flows through it but not enough to start the engine. I also have an extra starter for that exact car if you don't want to pay over 200 for a new one.

 

Which post is the 50 post? The one with the bolt & nut or the one with the slip on connection?

 

TThe slip on clip. The other one is the positive cable from your battery. Also make sure your ground that's in the same sleeve as your 50 connector is tightly bolted down. A loose ground can make it work on and off too.