Audi A2 1.4 SE Petrol won't start

Karl32

Member
Hi All,

I have 1.4 petrol 75bhp and for some reason it is taken me at least 10-15 attempt to start it yesterday, it has never missed a beat before, and I am thinking it might be something serious? The battery is fine and the ignition turns and works at it should, and it does try to start and cough, but nothing happens.

Any ideas please?

Regards

Karl
 
My first sergestion would be to get a scan done. Then you will know exactly what's happening.

My first thoughts would be a dodgy batch of fuel, or your fuel filter is clogged up.

When was is replaced last? They should be replaced every two years. And if it has recently been replaced is it a oem one?
Members have had real problems with aftermarket ones.

Cheers

David
 
Can you describe the symptoms a bit more? Does it crank but not fire? Had a 6 month saga with my car not starting and tried almost everything it could be so I might be able to help!
 
Hi Shreddedmeat, It does crank but won't fire, unless you try a few times, some time it it takes 2-3 tries some time it take 10 tries. Never use to be this bad but yesterday was so far the worst. Also worth mentioning that when the engine is hot it won't start either.
 
I would say crank sensor has failed along with cam sensor. Cam sensor failed first causing poor starting. Then now crank sensor has gone bad and it won't start at all. It needs to have vag com plugged in to see if the sensors are definitely goosed.
Hope you get it sorted. Mike
 
hi a2sumo, thanks for the repl, i do not have access to bag com, will changing these sensor be a big job pls?

Karl
 
Coolant temp sensor, that's what fixed mine and what you've said is exactly what my problem was... Won't start when hot, constant cranking, several attempts until it fires

Basically a dodgy reading means too much fuel gets dumped into the cylinders, so the fuel/air ratio is wrong and it won't fire. This is how the Audi mechanic explained it to me anyway! You might have noticed a smell of petrol or excess smoke coming out the back when it does finally start?

Don't take my word as fact though, the symptoms are bang on for a crank sensor failure as well, in fact for a while I was convinced that was the problem on my car!

Also worth mentioning that tracing fault codes didn't help the dealer find the coolant temp problem, so I'd mention it specifically - in fact in my there's a full checklist of everything it could possibly be. See here http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20741

Cheers

p.s. in terms of cost I think the dealer changed the coolant sensor for about 140 (although I would have gone somewhere cheaper if they weren't meeting the cost!) crank and cam sensors will likely be a bigger job as from what i understand they're not as easily accessible
 
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Hi, shreddedmeat, many thanks for the info, mine has the exact same problem, so will ask around and get a quote to fix it.

cheers
 
Hi Karl32,

I just wondered if you managed to fix the problem with your car not starting properly? It sounds very similar to the problem that I have been having with my A2. I can go out in the morning and it starts first time, go shopping and it can take 2-3 attempts to start. One day I counted 15 attempts to get my A2 to start!! Not good when your sat at the petrol pump with a huge queue behind you!

Any help would be appreciated as my local garage don't really seem to have a clue.

Regards,
Amy
 
The suggestions in this thread pretty much cover everything we've known to cause this problem so get a garage to start working through them? Will possibly need to go to a VW/Audi specialist who might have the right diagnostic gear to find the fault.

Cheers
 
The suggestions in this thread pretty much cover everything we've known to cause this problem so get a garage to start working through them? Will possibly need to go to a VW/Audi specialist who might have the right diagnostic gear to find the fault.

Cheers

Thanks shreddedmeat for the reply,

Will have a chat with the garage and see what they say.

Regards,
Amy
 
Decided to add some info to this old discussion. I could start my a2 1.4bby only from the second, third time in the mornings. Changed sensor and the problem still not solved.
 
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Decided to add some info to this old discussion. I could start my a2 1.4bby only from the second, third time in the mornings. The problem was coolant temperature sensor. Just pull out the plug and try. If the engine will start from the first attempt it will be this problem. First time bought FEBI coolant sensor (my bad) afterwards bought original and the problem was solved.
The Febi coolant sensor failed on me as well, bit of shame as usually they're okay. I couldn't find oem so I got Hella, the issue with that, the seal was just a tad too big, lost a lot of coolant until I realized that, so I swapped the old one back and all good now. The temp still moves 85-90C, but I think that's probably due thermostat getting old.
 
I think it would be worth your while contacting Gary at B&F Autos in West Hounslow. They really do know their A2's and don't charge stupid money. Not far from Twickenham and a five minute walk from the tube.
 
I think it would be worth your while contacting Gary at B&F Autos in West Hounslow. They really do know their A2's and don't charge stupid money. Not far from Twickenham and a five minute walk from the tube.

I'm not sure that would be of any benefit. The relevant participants in this thread were posting in 2013!
 
Decided to add some info to this old discussion. I could start my a2 1.4bby only from the second, third time in the mornings. Changed sensor and the problem still not solved.
Changed fuel pump, problem solved.
 
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