Oil light

S

suzy_q

Member
Help! Can anyone suggest something? My audi a2 tdi 03 model was working fine until yesterday... I went to start it to warm it up a little as I live in Aberdeen and the weather has been below freezing for about a fortnight and my car will not start also the oil light is flashing on the screen, I went and bought some oil and topped it up but it has made no difference the car still won't start....! any suggestions would be very much appreciated :)
 
it could be that the two issues are not related.

How long does the glow plug light take to go out?

The cold weather will highlight any weakness you may have in the battery. Can you ask someone to test the voltage for you?

The battery if original is nearer the end of its life than the beginning, so you could buy a replacement anyway to see if that helps.
 
Hi Suzy
Is the starter motor spinning the engine over as normal. If the battery has lost its charge and the engine is struggling to crank at normal speed its possible the oil pump has not generated sufficient pressure which triggered the oil light

Cheers Spike
 
Hi, Thanks for your quick responses. We used jump leads to try and start it and yes the starting motor was ticking over the engine but it just won't start, I do think it might be either a sensor or possibly the pump, looks like I will have to pay for a diagnostic.....! great start to the New Year. thanks anyway :)
 
Hi Suzy
Of all the engine sensors, only a faulty engine speed sensor will stop the engine runing. Other possibilities are a blocked fuel filter - any water in the fuel could have frozen in the filter housing or a leaking fuel filter - have you had the filter changed recently, was there a smell of diesel or dripping diesel under the rear of the car
Let us know how you get on

Cheers Spike
 
Hello, Just thought I would update my thread. My oil light problem was caused by the fuel filter being broken. I had to pay £700 to have it replaced and apparently the sensor was broken as well. I got my car back on Saturday and to my horror it was not starting on the first turn of the key but I thought that the battery might be a bit low so I drove it home and it was ok for about a day. Now it won't start at all and I have a feeling that the starting is motor is now broken, Do you think I should be paying for this as the garage told me that they put the car on a diagnostic machine.... surely this would have been picked up??:mad: Really not amused about this and would like some advice. Please advise Thanks!
 
Do you have any further details on the invoice for the £700. As a fuel filter is considerably cheaper, so it would be good to see the other works done.

Starter motors can quickly go from being OK to not OK.

Batteries too can quickly fail. Have the voltage checked first. Most garages and battery centres can do this for you. ~12.6v is normal.
 
Hi, yes the labour was £240 and the pump was £300+ and the sensor was £65. I got the battery tested and the problem is not the battery, I am just gutted at having to pay out £700 and then find the starting motor is not working( well I think it's the starting motor) I just think the garage shouldn't have given me the car back like that??
 
In fairness to the garage; if the car started easily with no noises, then they would have no suspicion to check the starter motor. It's easy for a starter motor to simple stop working with no prior warning.

Consider yourself lucky to have an A2 and not a Mercedes A-class. On the A-class I believe a starter motor is ~£600 due to labour to drop the sub-frame. I’d hope the A2 to be cheaper. Can any member confirm?

But having one bill so soon after another is never a nice feeling.
 
Hi Suzy
Just adding to Will's comments (1) the diagnostic scan would not highlight any problems with the starter motor. (2) If you have been cranking the engine over for long periods because of the starting problem this could have easily damaged the starter motor. I've not checked Audi's recommendations but typically you should use the starter for a max time of 30 sec then leave it for 30 sec to prevent it overheating (3) a few members have had problems with starter cable and earth connections so have these checked before replacing the starter

Cheers Spike
 
Hi Susie
You mention that the fuel filter was replaced as that was diagnosed as the problem, but the main cost on the invoice is "the pump" - what pump? Did they change the fuel pump as well then? If so why? Did they show you the old fuel filter? How was it broken, or was it just blocked?
 
Thanks everyone for their input. I have just told the garage to go ahead and fix all; timing belt, water pump and starting motor. getting it all done for £600. Hopefully this will be the end of the saga.....fingers crossed;)
 
Was your car due a cambelt and water pump change anyway?
What's the age & mileage of your car?
Or is this what the garage has recommended to fix your starting problems?

Cambelt and water pump is ~£300. Do any members know if £300 for a starter motor is fair a price?
 
dan_b said:
Hi Susie
You mention that the fuel filter was replaced as that was diagnosed as the problem, but the main cost on the invoice is "the pump" - what pump? Did they change the fuel pump as well then? If so why? Did they show you the old fuel filter? How was it broken, or was it just blocked?
Click to expand...

yes the fuel pump was replaced and no I didn't see it. Do you think I should have asked to see it? The thing was the car was not starting at all, the fuel was not getting through for some reason.... This has been so costly I just hope this is the end of the bills!
 
Will said:
Was your car due a cambelt and water pump change anyway?
What's the age & mileage of your car?
Or is this what the garage has recommended to fix your starting problems?

Cambelt and water pump is ~£300. Do any members know if £300 for a starter motor is fair a price?
Click to expand...


Yes the cambelt was due to be replaced. the car is an 04 TDi and has 72.000 miles.
 
Will said:
Was your car due a cambelt and water pump change anyway?
What's the age & mileage of your car?
Or is this what the garage has recommended to fix your starting problems?

Cambelt and water pump is ~£300. Do any members know if £300 for a starter motor is fair a price?
Click to expand...

Hi Suzy
I think £300 is about right for a genuine Audi service exchange starter. In many cases however, a good auto electrician could repair a starter for significantly less.
Check what you are actually getting as many 'pattern' or none genuine refurbished starters will not be up to the job of starting your diesel engine in cold weather as club member Roy found to his cost - http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12443&highlight=starter

Cheers Spike
 
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