Hello,

I have a 2002 A4 Quattro 3.0 I purchased early this year. In the last couple months I occasionally have had a problem where the engine won't start. The battery is strong and tries but the engine does nothing. I can do one of two things: either wait about 10 minutes, and the car will usually start up normally, or give it gas while holding the key in the start position, until the EPC light comes on and the car starts up, but runs very rough; idles high, sounds strange, gas and brake feel overly sensitive. The next time I start the car up, everything seems normal again. I only have this problem when the car is warm, and when the engine has only been off for a few minutes since I last drove - most commonly if I run into a store for a few minutes and try to start the car back up. I've never had the issue when it's cold or been off for a while. It's now becoming more and more common of an issue; instead of once a week its been happening every day.

Any ideas?

 

its your crankshaft position sensor (aka engine speed sensor), i just replaced mine with the same symptoms

its an easy DIY and cost me 50 bucks with the right tools


http://www.mjmautohaus.com/catalog/p...oducts_id=3663

 

His car is a 3.0. Does sound like the ESS, but those links are for 1.8

 

oh fuckums. i got to excited and forgot about that.

 

I appreciate everyone's feedback on this. I've read several other posts that talk about the same exact symptoms, too. Will be putting in the sensor tomorrow.

The only thing I haven't been able to find is an explanation as to why this problem happens. What is it about a bad crank position sensor that causes this problem?

 

The car has, a couple times, died on me while driving. Not exactly while on the road, but after getting off the freeway and coming to a stop, it dies. Then I restart and the EPC light comes on. Have never gotten a check engine light, like some people have. Strange..