Problem Starting
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Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13
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Problem Starting
Over the past couple of days my 2000 A4 1.8T manual would crank hard a few times then start, and run, OK. Other times, it would start just fine. Today, it just clicks. I thought that it was the battery going bad since I have had it for several years. I replaced it, but it still just clicks. Is it a starter problem, or something else? Being right the second time is very important considering the intense grief I got from my wife for buying a new battery to replace my old one that apparently wasn't bad. Thoughts?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,284
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From: Fallbrook, CA
Your starter motor has two wires going to it: the large cable for the motor, and small wire for the solenoid. Since the solenoid clicks, that one is OK. The motor brushes connect to the second large terminal on the solenoid. I'd clip a wire to that one and connnect it to a test light (say a headlight bulb that will draw 4~5 amps) and ground the bulb's other terminal. Turn the key to start and watch the light. If there's a click and it lights, then there is a broken circuit in the motor (assuming it isn't seized). Now if there is no light, the contacts in the solenoid are bad. In the case where it lights, move the clip to the large terminal from the battery. The bulb should light brightly, same as if you connected to the battery post. If it is dimmer, then there is high resistance somewhere, possible the crimped terminal of the cable.
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Mulaish
A4 (B6 Platform) Discussion
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Feb 13, 2008 11:17 AM
