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Won't start, starts, won't start.

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Old 03-31-2011, 09:04 AM
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Default Won't start, starts, won't start.

Okay. The other day I start to head to work and the car won't start (kinda sputters and tries to start but won't stay running). I took the truck and when I got home tried to start it again. It did the same thing but I lightly pumped the pedal like it was a carb'd motor and got it to run. I had to keep the motor at 2K+ rpm otherwise it would do the sputter and die thing again. After holding it there for about a minute I slowly let the rpms drift down to normal and it idled out at about 850rpm (normally about 950rpm). I took it around the block and it ran fine. I got back and shut it off and then restarted it and it fired right up. This morning I went to start it and it won't start again. Same symptoms. It kicks over well and doesn't show a CEL. The car was running fine when I parked it initially and then the starting issue just showed up. Any ideas? The gas gauge says 3/8 of a tank but I've heard there were some issues with gas gauge accuracy with some of the audis so I'm going to get some gas and see if that is the problem.
Old 03-31-2011, 09:50 AM
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Disconnect the MAF sensor (engine off) and see if it starts reliably (limp home mode).
If it does, replace the MAF after checking for good connections at the connector.

Another suspect is the crankshaft position sensor.
Old 03-31-2011, 10:24 AM
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Disconnected the MAF and no change. Where's the crank position sensor (I assume it also doubles as the engine speed sensor)? I've got the test procedure in my manual but for some reason it doesn't list the location.
Old 03-31-2011, 10:24 AM
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O2 sensor?
Clogged cat?
Malfunctioning ( misreading) MAF?
Mouse in the tailpipe? (hey, happened to me)
Old 03-31-2011, 10:35 AM
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you need to run logs, not just check codes, but actually run logs.... fuel, airflow, timing , are all good logs to start with.
Old 03-31-2011, 10:48 AM
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Wish I could run logs but no VAGCOM here so I have to go with what I've got.
Old 03-31-2011, 11:02 AM
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How old is the coolant temp sensor?
Old 03-31-2011, 11:48 AM
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For all I know the temp sensor is original. Going to pick up a new one now.
Old 03-31-2011, 03:37 PM
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Well I replaced the coolant sensor and the car started up just fine but since it was still warm from when I got it running again this evening I'll hold off on saying it's fixed until tomorrow morning. Hopefully that's it so I don't have to spring for the crank position sensor.
Old 04-01-2011, 03:02 PM
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Coolant temperature sensor was the problem. Car started up great this morning. Thanks for all the replies.

Last edited by Angrywasp; 04-01-2011 at 03:04 PM.


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