I have an 03 a4 quattro with 151k. I have no kind of repair records because the previous owner was a lying jerk!

All that in mind, I'm having an issue with the car turning over. Initially it would choke a little when it was hot, and I'm talking 95*+. It would take extra time to start it, it wouldn't turn over as quickly.

Now it's doing it all the time. My concerns are obviously the clutch, because well, it's got 151k miles on it and it may actually have never been replaced. I don't know. But while driving it, it doesn't feel like the clutch is bad at all. Just feels...older. My second concern is the battery. But it does start...just takes some time.

The only "error" it gives me is to "push the clutch in" when I'm starting it. But I don't know if it would do that anyway, or if the clutch is in fact bad? I don't know I have an appointment at the dealer on the 13th, I'm just trying to get a heads up if possible. Easy fix, pain in the *** fix, any ideas?

 

The push clutch to start message is standard and does not indicate a problem. Have you run any kind of voltage tests on the battery yet?

If not, you need a mutimeter. Check the battery voltage with nothing running, should be around 12.6V. Then check the battery voltage with the car running and no accessory draw, should be high 13's if not more. Low voltage on just the battery would be a good sign the battery is on it's way out. Low reading on the running test would indicate a potential alternator problem. If the voltage tests both come out okay then we can move onto looking at other parts.

 

If it's a manual tranny, there is a clutch pedal sensor (won't allow you to start the car with the clutch out) that can fail. Usually causes a CEL. Have had one in my daughter's A4 3.0 MT6 for a couple years even after replacing the sensor twice. Re the charging system, take it to an Autozone or equivalent and ask them to test the alternator and battery.

 

how much gas do u have in the car?

 

the message push the clutch is standard and is made for people who are not sure what that extra pedal is there for
but hope you found what happened to your car please write back so we know what the exact problem was.