Just realized I kinda accidentally hijacked a thread. The title of the thread was "Is it the starter or what?". I had posted a thread with a similar title the day before and mistook that thread for mine. That being said, here's the deal:

Saturday my engine turned over very slowly when I cranked it. The engine caught and the car started.
Sunday, the engine turned over even more slowly, made 1 full turn, and would not start after that (It could be bump started though, then it ran with all gauges at their normal positions and no CEL or anything)

The car won't start now. It will not jump start. When I turn the key, the car behaves like there is a slight load on it (Interior lights dim almost imperceptibly), but the engine does not turn over, and I cannot make out any sounds from the engine bay (since I am alone I can't stick my head in there because I am turning the key with my foot on the clutch).

I believe that the failure to jump start rules out the alternator, regulator and battery. I believe that the slow cranking that preceded this rules out a bad/loose ground or other connection as well as the clutch switch and solenoid. I believe that the lights dimming, rules out the ignition switch.

What's left?
All I can think of are the starter and the starter relay. How do I isolate the relay? Should I try hooking up a remote starter switch (I have the type mechanics use in the shop)? Where do I connect it? (In the Bentley, it looks like the wiring harness has three pins that are kinda close together).

In other words, any further advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

tried to start it? Here's what I'd do.. Hook up your car to your booster, and let it sit for 5 or so minutes.. then try to start it.

 

^^^What he said^^^ sounds like it's a failing battery to me.

 

But there was no sign of battery drain in the first place- the clock does not reset, the interior doesn't dim (Previous Audis lost all power to the interior due to the draw of trying to start the car) I did let it charge for a while, but that didn't help. I had bump-started the car and drove around for a while in the daylight (no headlights) and shut the car off. No change. If it were a failing battery, wouldn't interior lights or headlights dim noticibly while trying to crank? What I am seeing now is a *very* slight load on the electrical system. I think the best way to describe the way it is now is like the clutch switch is bad- no real draw on the electrical system evident, but the engine won't turn over. The reason I don't think its the clutch switch is that the thing on Sat. turned over slowly, ad then more slowly on Sunday, then wouldn't start. When the car's running, the charging indicator reads 14V and is steady and constant. Stopping or otherwise reducing idle doesn't make the lights get any dimmer.

 

Check all connection to the starter, and grounds etc. Could very well be bad starter motor windings?

 

to test it. You will know for sure if the batt holds the charge.

The only caveat is since they will need to remove the batt for testing you might need to do a VAG TBA after the batt is back in the car, so you better come prepeared ;-)

 

since you didn't hear clicking and it wont jump, it's mostl likely the starter. Since your car dims, it means the starter is trying to crank and getting the load, but doesn't actually turn over. I'd say 95% starter problem.

I had to replace mine (96 12v) two weeks ago

 

You can not rule out the battery - it could have a short in it.

 

How could the battery be a problem if there is no significant draw on it when the starter ought to be drawing from it?

 

it immediately. if it starts, it's NOT the starter, NOT any relays, NOT the switch. You might just have a loose battery cable!