keno1793

Two weeks ago, my 2009, 6-speed, 95,000 miles, S5 would not start first thing in the am in my garage. Tried multiple times using the button and using the fob. Retrieved my spare key leaving my regular key in the house. Went through the same starting routine with the spare without success. In every case, console lights, radio, and whatever else I switched on worked and the headlights were as bright as ever on the garage wall. There were no clicking, cranking or other noises.

Car towed to the shop I use, which I've used for 16 years on many Audis and does mostly Audi, BMW, Bentley, and the like-dealers send difficult problems to this shop. Car was rolled off the flat bed, and the SOB started right up. I left it there for a few days during which the car started each time they tried. There were no errors shown on the diagnostics.

Having driven the car for a week, one morning the same non-start issue occurred. I went through all of my procedures without success, this time adding getting out of the car, locking it, and going through routine again. Car again towed to the shop and this time did not start. They did not have a free bay at the time so they pushed it into an outside space, but did no diagnostics then. When they went to work on it naturally it started, and has done so each time they've tried it, which they report is several times each day.

I've instructed them to replace the related relays as it seemed a reasonable and highly possible culprit to which they agree. They live tested the clutch safety switch with the diagnostic computer connected, and advise me that the switch is unlikely the culprit and is a significant effort to replace. I've read, where I don't recall, that on at least one Audi of unknown model to me the culprit was a wire connected to the starter which had corroded. Cleaning and reattaching the wire solved THAT problem. My shop tells me that to get to that wire, and the starter, is an 11 hour r&r, and that the starter itself is an $800++ part.

The only other fact that comes to mind is that I typically engage the parking brake, but cannot say whether I did in either case or whether it was engaged when I went through my starting routine. Also, in memory of Car Talk, the car is silver with a red leather interior.

Any advice you can offer in solving this problem will be greatly appreciated. Until it is solved, which by its nature may not be susceptible to a conclusive solution, e.g., with the relay work done, the car may start forever with the relays not the problem, I will not park in neighborhoods described in "Bonfire of the Vanities".

jtmartin

I have the same intermittent starting problem on a 2004 S4 that keno1793 had on his car back on 10-24-1014. Did not appear to have any response suggestions. I thought I might try it again. My car has 89,000 miles. Keno, did you ever solve your problem? Does anyone have an idea for me. Parking brake not part of the equation. thank you.

keno1793

My problem has never been solved, and since the car continued to start if I pushed the pedal down as far as it goes I did nothing but search for an answer. I decided, however, to take some action. Despite expecting no improvement, which is exactly what I got, I had a local Audi specialist but not a dealer, replace the clutch safety switch just this morning. I notice no change. We discussed the likely solution as a new clutch, just the throw-out bearing, or the clutch, including a new flywheel, if necessary. The $$$$ was very steep.

I suggested that he short the switch aspect, which he is willing to do. The only downside, aside from the safety issue, would be that cruise control would no longer work. I cannot remember the last time I used CC, so that is what I plan to do.

Wish I had more encouraging information for you.

abarretto

Did you ever figure out what the problem and solution is? My 2013 S5 (6-speed manual with 95,000 miles) has been doing this on and off for 3 months now. I've had multiple trips tow trips to my mechanic only to have the car fire up every single time. I even let them keep the car for several days and do 50+ miles of test driving so they could do cold starts, warm starts, etc., with the hope that they could replicate the intermittent start scenario, but it never happens! I am beyond frustrated! Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!

abarretto

Did you ever identify and find a solution to your intermittent starting problem? I have had the EXACT same scenario going on with my 2013 S5 (6-speed manual transmission with 95,000 miles). I've had the vehicle towed to my mechanic twice now and the car started up every single time without fail. I even let them keep the car for several days so they could do both cold and warm engine starts, and test drive the vehicle (50+ miles) just to try and replicate the problem but it never happens for them. I am beyond frustrated. I am hoping that in the 5 1/2 years that have gone by since your last post on this topic that a solution has emerged.