Ignition doesn't work, hazards blinking randomly.

T

toughcoconut

New Member
Hello, my AUDI A2 1.4TDI battery died after the car sat for a few weeks. I charged it and plugged it back up, but the car started acting out.

The problems that I've encountered:
1. Hazard lights are blinking randomly. They stop after a few minutes, but turn back on after I touch anything inside the car or turn the ignition on. It wont completely stop until I unplug the battery.
2. The ignition doesn't seem to work. The dashboard lights blink for a millisecond and that's it. The fuel gauge doesn't go up, I can't roll down my windows and so on.
3. Car doesn't start. Despite the ignition not turning on, I can still crank the starter. It has fuel and the engine is healthy, it feels like something is not letting it start. Related to the ignition issue?(Probably obvious, I'm just not really good with cars)
4. Rest of electronics seem to work. Car locks and unlocks, radio works, interior lights work.

Things I've tried/checked:
1. New battery
2. Checking all the fuses and connections
3. Inspecting the comfort module for water damage, loose connections and so on.
4. Inspecting the starter ground. No rust and the connection is secure.

Could it be some sort of alarm/security problem? Perhaps the car thinks I'm an intruder, flashes the hazards and closes the ignition. Weird because that still happens with the car being unlocked.
Could it still be the comfort module? How would it affect the ignition and the dashboard?


Any ideas? If needed I could record a video for more clarification.
 
Hi
Good work so far.

I'd back up and start from the top.
if at all possible...
Get a VCDS scan.

Your earth strap behind the passenger headlight will need the usual removal sanding and copper slick applied before refitting. (EDIT, I see you did the alternator end of the strap).

If you want to be totally sure your earth strap is not corroded somewhere along the lenth of it remove it and test the continuity.
And add an aftermatket earth strap as back up. Edit for total peace of mind.

Next, the new battery what is the voltage engine off? Engine on?

I'm asking this to work out if your alternator voltage regulator is still providing power to the battery.

I'll stop there as that's probably enough diagnosis before we progress to narrowing the search area.

EdIt.

Good luck!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You should check the battery voltage, off, and on load.bLow battery voltage can cause the symptoms you describe.
Check battery voltage, at the battery with ignition off, should be around 12.5 volts make a note. Switch ignition on, but don't start the engine, turn main and dipped head lights on, and check battery voltage at the battery, shouldn't be less than 12 volts, make a note.
Once a battery has gone flat, it will often not recover, despite being charged.
Mac.
 
PlasticMac said:
You should check the battery voltage, off, and on load.bLow battery voltage can cause the symptoms you describe.
Check battery voltage, at the battery with ignition off, should be around 12.5 volts make a note. Switch ignition on, but don't start the engine, turn main and dipped head lights on, and check battery voltage at the battery, shouldn't be less than 12 volts, make a note.
Once a battery has gone flat, it will often not recover, despite being charged.
Mac.
Click to expand...
Hey Mac, I've tried fitting a new battery(week old, works perfect) from my other car and nothing changed. I will still make voltage measurements tomorrow just in case and report back.
 
rotifer said:
Hi
Good work so far.

I'd back up and start from the top.
if at all possible...
Get a VCDS scan.

Your earth strap behind the passenger headlight will need the usual removal sanding and copper slick applied before refitting. (EDIT, I see you did the alternator end of the strap).

If you want to be totally sure your earth strap is not corroded somewhere along the lenth of it remove it and test the continuity.
And add an aftermatket earth strap as back up. Edit for total peace of mind.

Next, the new battery what is the voltage engine off? Engine on?

I'm asking this to work out if your alternator voltage regulator is still providing power to the battery.

I'll stop there as that's probably enough diagnosis before we progress to narrowing the search area.

EdIt.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Hey, thank you for your time.
For the VCDS scan... I live in a rural area, hard to find someone with a proper scanner. For the earth, should I clean it even if it visually looks OK? It looks as clean as it gets and it's tightened properly. I can't check the voltage with the engine on, because well... it doesn't start. Once again, thanks!
 
toughcoconut said:
Hello, my AUDI A2 1.4TDI battery died after the car sat for a few weeks. I charged it and plugged it back up, but the car started acting out.

The problems that I've encountered:
1. Hazard lights are blinking randomly. They stop after a few minutes, but turn back on after I touch anything inside the car or turn the ignition on. It wont completely stop until I unplug the battery.
2. The ignition doesn't seem to work. The dashboard lights blink for a millisecond and that's it. The fuel gauge doesn't go up, I can't roll down my windows and so on.
3. Car doesn't start. Despite the ignition not turning on, I can still crank the starter. It has fuel and the engine is healthy, it feels like something is not letting it start. Related to the ignition issue?(Probably obvious, I'm just not really good with cars)
4. Rest of electronics seem to work. Car locks and unlocks, radio works, interior lights work.

Things I've tried/checked:
1. New battery
2. Checking all the fuses and connections
3. Inspecting the comfort module for water damage, loose connections and so on.
4. Inspecting the starter ground. No rust and the connection is secure.

Could it be some sort of alarm/security problem? Perhaps the car thinks I'm an intruder, flashes the hazards and closes the ignition. Weird because that still happens with the car being unlocked.
Could it still be the comfort module? How would it affect the ignition and the dashboard?


Any ideas? If needed I could record a video for more clarification.
Click to expand...
Immobiliser allows car to start then cuts out after a couple of seconds.
Mac
 
Problem fixed. Turns out the culprit was the alarm. Don't know whether this was an aftermarket install or a default option, but I had a connector hanging above my rear view mirror. I never thought much of it, but turns out it was responsible for the security system. It was my dad who found the solution and I'm not quite sure what he did to the connector as I am away from home and he told me about it over the phone... I didn't really catch his story straight. Either way, if needed I'll ask him later and give you an update. Thanks for all the replies.
 
toughcoconut said:
Problem fixed. Turns out the culprit was the alarm. Don't know whether this was an aftermarket install or a default option, but I had a connector hanging above my rear view mirror. I never thought much of it, but turns out it was responsible for the security system. It was my dad who found the solution and I'm not quite sure what he did to the connector as I am away from home and he told me about it over the phone... I didn't really catch his story straight. Either way, if needed I'll ask him later and give you an update. Thanks for all the replies.
Click to expand...
I'd be interested in the details of what your Dad did, when you have had a chat with him.
Mac.
 
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