A2 will not start, al the controls are on, electric problem?

B

bolekkk

Member
Hi guys, I am wondering if anybody can help me.

After turning the key all the controls are on. The speedo and rev meter will not rest on "0".
Check out the photo and video.
20130323_170944_5166.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ljfmtJXuMw

The lights, windows, mileage counter, AC don't work.
When I try to run the motor it struggles and will not start.
I checked the fuses and and the fuses and connectors under the footwell- everything seems to be OK.
One week ago a similar situation occured- fixing the mass (-) in the battery worked- it was just loose.
The car worked just fine for the last week.
Today I opened it (remote locking works) and when getting in a heard a strange sound as if all the doors unlocked again- I get that once in a while when I put the keys in (does anyone know what it is).
This was strange and I felt that there wil be some problem.

I feel that this is some kind of electricy problem.
I have a factory Bosch accu which still works fine. I recharged it so it is OK.
Several times I had problems with the central locking not working in back door- I disconnected the accu and everything worked just fine.
Another thing were problems with the backlighting of the AC controlr- this happened several times, especialy on wet weather, and didint occur since over a year.

Any guesses? Why my 2000, 1.4TDI, 253 000 km Audi A2 will not work for the first time? :)
 
I think a diagnostic scan is going to be needed to fix this, though you've definitely got multiple problems...
It could be that your instrument cluster has died. I've never heard of this happening, but of course it's possible. It could be that the crankshaft sensor has died, which is why the needle is pointing to 1000rpm when the engine is off. Both a failed cluster/crankshaft sensor would stop the car from starting.

The issue with your locks making noise when you put the key in the ignition indicated that one of the door microswitches has failed. A diagnostic scan will also help to establish which of the 4 doors is the culprit.
If you've got manual rear windows, then your rear doors not working with the central locking indicates that your CCCU has a fault.
The AC controller's backlight has been known to develop faults, though if it's only done this a few times, moisture could have been the problem.

Given that you quote your car's odometer reading in km not miles, am I right in thinking that you live in central Europe? As your car won't start, you need to find someone who's able to bring diagnostic equipment to you.

Also, you have the dirtiest instrument cluster I have ever seen! :p

Tom
 
I still hope that it is some minor issue that I can deal with on my own, as last time.
I was thinking about checking all the earth points, especially since imass has been the problem last time (or it seemed so).
But since nobody ever touched them- is there really any chance that could be the problem?
I just can't get around an idea that my A2 will have to be towed to be repaired:)

Yes, i'm from Poland exactly. We have a freezing, wonderful winter but I doubt if the weather can have an effect.
The accu has almost 13 years and although it works- mayby I should be thinking of getting a new one.

The intrument cluster is not that dirty in real life:)

My rear windows are also electric.

Bart
 
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The earthing points behind the trim panels the bottom of the front door hinge pillars have been known to work loose (vibration?) so they are worth checking
Your English is generally excellent but what is imass. and Bosch accu (battery?)

Cheers Spike
 
Mass is earth points. The accu is the battery.
I recharged it today and the car behaves similary- only less controls are on- check engine, airbag and battery.
I will check these earth points if I manage to take the trim panels off.

It seems that tommorow morning I am taking the car to a specialist- it is the first time it has let me down.
I will let you know what was the problem once I have everything fixed.

Bart
 
Today morning my car started without any problem- only the speedo and rev meter started fluctuating and didn't show actual speed.
I was able to drive to a specialist.
He checked the computer and I have a faulty CAN data bus and the battery is dead.

Bart
 
bolekkk said:
He checked the computer and I have a faulty CAN data bus
Click to expand...

That sounds plausible. The instrument cluster acts as the CAN gateway, I believe. So, if it starts to misbehave, it could have a knock-on effect in other areas.
 
Update: I bought a new battery today.
The car behaved the same after battery replacement- all the indicators/gauges (revs, speed, temp, fuel) ticked- they constanty moved in a small range and none of them worked.
After 10 minutes they started to work properly apart from the speedo. It showed 10-15 km/h and ticked. Id dropped to "0" couple of seconds after taking out the key.
After 5 hours I get back to the car and everything, including the speedo, works properly- just as nothing ever happened.
I am going tommorow to another specialist to check the car once more but for now it seems that the problem was a poor- over 12 year old battery.
I still hear the clicking sound in all the doors when i turn the key but nothing happends.
I hope this is the end of my problems.

Bart
 
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