Car wont start
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Car wont start
I posted a month ago or so back thinking I had a fuel related issue.
2004 A6 Quattro 3.0
Girl friend was on the highway and the car died. I got it towed home. there are no codes that I could find. when I start the car it tries to fire up and sometimes does so for about 3 sec.
I thought originally it was the fuel pump or relay. the relay clicks. I tested the pump at the "pump" and it is pushing fuel. then I disconnected the fuel line at the rail and stuck it in a bottle and the bottle filled when cranking. I also removed and inspected the fuel regulator and checked to see if it was leaking at the vacuum line.
Ive pretty much ruled out fuel supply
But Im stuck as to where to go from here. so Im looking for ideas from the pros
Again, it turns and will fire up briefly then die. After doing it 5-6 times it will no longer fire. That what lead me to thinking it was starved of fuel. Now im guessing it is getting flooded out.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. dont have a lot to dump into it $$ atm and down to one vehicle. Just got over the flu and work is slow. I have plenty of time to tinker. just not sure where to go from here
2004 A6 Quattro 3.0
Girl friend was on the highway and the car died. I got it towed home. there are no codes that I could find. when I start the car it tries to fire up and sometimes does so for about 3 sec.
I thought originally it was the fuel pump or relay. the relay clicks. I tested the pump at the "pump" and it is pushing fuel. then I disconnected the fuel line at the rail and stuck it in a bottle and the bottle filled when cranking. I also removed and inspected the fuel regulator and checked to see if it was leaking at the vacuum line.
Ive pretty much ruled out fuel supply
But Im stuck as to where to go from here. so Im looking for ideas from the pros
Again, it turns and will fire up briefly then die. After doing it 5-6 times it will no longer fire. That what lead me to thinking it was starved of fuel. Now im guessing it is getting flooded out.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. dont have a lot to dump into it $$ atm and down to one vehicle. Just got over the flu and work is slow. I have plenty of time to tinker. just not sure where to go from here
Head Cat Herder
Joined: Oct 1998
Posts: 66,550,462
Likes: 103
No fault codes in the engine module? I would start by checking the timing belt, make sure it's intact. Then remove a spark plug or two, and see if it's wet with fuel. If it is, you're flooded, and it could be a coolant temp sensor issue. I would expect a crank or cam position sensor to throw an error, but often the coolant temp sensor doesn't know it's faulty.
Head Cat Herder
Joined: Oct 1998
Posts: 66,550,462
Likes: 103
Sure, if you can unclip one of the covers on the front of the head and tip it over just enough to see the cam pulley, and have someone crank it... If the belt moves you know it's intact. This is no guarantee that it didn't skip a tooth or two, but then I'd assume you'd have codes up the wazoo..
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 43
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
What code tester did you use? Not all of them will read an Audi ECM. You need a VAG Com device or one that is able to read VW/ Audi. Reason I say that is if the engine is turning over but not starting, and it died on the road, it is almost certainly showing a, or some codes. If the timing belt is broken or skipped a couple of teeth you would most likely hear the valves hitting the top of the piston(s) when you turn it over. Pull as much of the front engine cover as you can to get a good look at the belt. You can probably rent a bore scope at AutoZone to get a look inside the cover.
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From: In the Cloud
If it's p0321, that's a crank position sensor fault.
Last edited by georgeb944; Feb 16, 2018 at 04:40 AM.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 23
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Sorry George, typo, I was on my phone trying to reply and heading out the door to a meeting. it is P0321
isnt that just a generic code for ignition failure, which could be the crank position fault? Or is this more specific with audi?