Engine does not start!
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Engine does not start!
During the two years I've had my '91 100 I've never had any problem to start it. But now it's dead.
I drove it quite a bit today without any abnormal behavior. After being parked for 6 hours it totally refused to start this evening. It spins around, but there is no sign of ignition. It behaves like if there it's out of gas, but the tank is half full.
I can hear the fuel pump start when I turn the ignition on. The self-diagnostic display shows OK.
What is the best way to locate the problem?
Thank you
-pg
I drove it quite a bit today without any abnormal behavior. After being parked for 6 hours it totally refused to start this evening. It spins around, but there is no sign of ignition. It behaves like if there it's out of gas, but the tank is half full.
I can hear the fuel pump start when I turn the ignition on. The self-diagnostic display shows OK.
What is the best way to locate the problem?
Thank you
-pg
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Re: Engine does not start!
Well, it could be several things, but to break it down, you are going to want to see if the cylinders are gatting both SPARK and FUEL. without those, you will not go anywhere.
You're fuel pump may be running, but that's not going to help if your fuel filter is plugged up.
You're car might turn over, but it's not going to start if the cylinders aren't getting spark.
So, you need to figure out which of these two things are missing first.
You're fuel pump may be running, but that's not going to help if your fuel filter is plugged up.
You're car might turn over, but it's not going to start if the cylinders aren't getting spark.
So, you need to figure out which of these two things are missing first.
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Re: Engine does not start!
This could mean several things. Here's what I would do.
1. Check the distributor cap for chip or crack. The car will not or have a hard time starting if there's a crack or chip.
2. Check to see if fuel are getting into the engine. The easiest way to do this is to disconnect the air intake hose and spray a little carb cleaner or starting fluid in there while having someone turn the ignition. If the engine start, fuel is not getting in there (Check your fuel pump and filter).
3. Check your plugs and wires. Use a timing gun if you have it. If not, unscrewed all the plugs and test it. If there's no spark, you may want to check the rotor inside the distributor cap.
Hope this help.
1. Check the distributor cap for chip or crack. The car will not or have a hard time starting if there's a crack or chip.
2. Check to see if fuel are getting into the engine. The easiest way to do this is to disconnect the air intake hose and spray a little carb cleaner or starting fluid in there while having someone turn the ignition. If the engine start, fuel is not getting in there (Check your fuel pump and filter).
3. Check your plugs and wires. Use a timing gun if you have it. If not, unscrewed all the plugs and test it. If there's no spark, you may want to check the rotor inside the distributor cap.
Hope this help.
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Engine started today, BUT WHY?
Thank you for replying.
For some reason it started like nothing was wrong today. And it runs as good as it always does.
Why didn't it start last night? Could it be something electric that only works when the weather is warm? Or is it that it just don't like to be parked too close to Rite Aid?
I would like to know what was wrong, so I know I can trust it again.
Distributor cap, rotor, sparkplug cables and sparkplugs was replaced 5k miles ago, so I'm sure that was not the problem.
I could hear the fuelpump start, so I guess the fuelpump works.
Engine is running smooth at all speeds, and also during accelleration, so it doesn't sound like fuelfilter problem eighter.
What could be wrong?
-pg
For some reason it started like nothing was wrong today. And it runs as good as it always does.
Why didn't it start last night? Could it be something electric that only works when the weather is warm? Or is it that it just don't like to be parked too close to Rite Aid?
I would like to know what was wrong, so I know I can trust it again.
Distributor cap, rotor, sparkplug cables and sparkplugs was replaced 5k miles ago, so I'm sure that was not the problem.
I could hear the fuelpump start, so I guess the fuelpump works.
Engine is running smooth at all speeds, and also during accelleration, so it doesn't sound like fuelfilter problem eighter.
What could be wrong?
-pg
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 195
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Check the crank shaft position sensor
I had a similar problem with starting a few months ago. Would not start, come back in an hour and it would. Went on for about a month. Drove me nuts. Figured it out one Saturday. Seems the computer shuts down spark and fuel (i think) if it can not figure out the crank position on start-up. Did not give a code when I checked with VAG-COM. Ended up being the crank position sensor was not seated all the way in. I just pushed it in, tightened the bolt that holds it in, and no problem since.
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Re: Engine started today, BUT WHY?
Was it raining or a lot of moisture in the air when the engine wouldn't start for you? If this is the case you may want to check the distributor cap again. I know this has happen to quite a few people including myself. If there a hairline crack (it may be hard to see), you will have a tough time starting in wet condition.
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Thread Starter
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Re: Engine started today, BUT WHY?
It is more hummid at night then in daytime, but it hasn't been raining for quite a while.
It didn't have any problem starting last night.
I have an extra cap, so I can try replace it whenever it happens again.
-pg
It didn't have any problem starting last night.
I have an extra cap, so I can try replace it whenever it happens again.
-pg
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Re: Where is it located?
The 1991 Audi 100 does not have crank position sensor. This is previous body style Audi, it has 5 cyl. and 2.3l NF code engine. 1991 model year was the last of the type 44 era from 1984-91 here in North America. To get back to your problem as someone had mentioned you have to verify first presence of both fuel and spark to the cylinders. Sure enough one of them will be missing in no start condition. Let us know which one is not there, and we will give you the options. Also, for you the better option is the Audi 5000/100/V8 forum.
Zoran in Toronto, proud long time owner of 2 type 44 Audis.
Zoran in Toronto, proud long time owner of 2 type 44 Audis.
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