OldOldA4

So, Monday morning, I turn the key and nothing happens at all. In the afternoon, I attempt to jump it. It starts after a couple tries, but starts to a very low idle speed, and sputtered a bit. I tried to give it some gas, but after the initial rev to about 3000 RPM, I laid off the gas, and the engine came down and died. During this, the jumper cables were still attached.

I tried again to jump it today, hoping something would be different. This time the jump was successful, but again the engine idle was low around 250 RPM. At this point, I disconnected the jumper cables and the engine promptly died.

Is this a battery issue? Alternator? Generator? Starter? I have no idea where to start. Also, this weekend, I may have left a light on which ran the battery down to completely dead, although I am not sure. (I may have just turned it on during the first jump sequence).

Thanks for your input. Please tell me it will be an easy and cheap fix. Also, it's a '99 with 180k+, 2.8 automatic.

quattrokiwi

get the battery load tested,
second test alternator output V

go from there

OldOldA4

do i need to get it towed in to a shop?

no audi dealer within 100 miles...

quattrokiwi

they should test it for free, but it needs to charged first. and that doesn't help with the alternator, so you should just get it towed.

Also i should have said have any codes read with a vag com

OldOldA4

a moderately sketchy "import" place? the lower corner of alabama isn't all that into audis.

quattrokiwi

you may even find someone local with a vag com to pull any codes

UberVier

or buy a cheap charger from wal mart and give that a go, see if a long charge helps, if you get it running get the whole thing to an auto zone, etc and they can test both battery and alternator, BUT the batt has to have enough charge first to be accurately tested. tough call, i'd say charge batt first, then if that doesnt work, remove and take to auto parts place. you could also buy a brand new battery, but most places wont let you return it if that isn't the culprit, so thats more food for thought as you make a plan.

good luck. i just went through that, my alternator died, took me 3 weeks to figure out a plan and be done with it. i did the work myself.