Can't start Audi A6

If the voltmeter now reads only 12 volts I would suspect something might be
wrong with the alternator and/or the voltage regulator. That being said
most cars will crank and start as long as they have 10+ volts.

I have seen two batteries the past 33 years that tested as acceptable that
were actually bad. Both failed within a month of installation and battery
replacement cured the problem.

As far as AutoZone employee skills it doesn't take much to load test a
battery. You hook the tester up, set for battery capacity, and push the
start button. The test itself runs itself automatically on any tester
manufactured in the past 20 years or so


"kodrik" > wrote in message
lkaboutautos.com...
> The battery is over 4 years old (sept 2000). Where is the starter
> terminal?
> Should I try to jump start it? Will did help me narrow down the
> possiblilities if it works or not.
> Although, the battery indicator is now dead on 12 volts (halfway up the
> meter), it can swear it used to be 3/4 up before.
>
> Thank you a lot for your help.
>

Yes, the weather has changed pretty fast. It has been raining and cold
(even snow) for the last few days, which is unusual since I live in Vegas.
In short, the big weather change was colder and much more humid.

Before I go buy a battery, should I buy jumper cables and try jump
starting it or will it make no difference in telling me if the starter or
alternator is dead?

Yes, the weather has changed pretty fast. It has been raining and cold
(even snow) for the last few days, which is unusual since I live in Vegas.
In short, the big weather change was colder and much more humid.

Before I go buy a battery, should I buy jumper cables and try jump
starting it or will it make no difference in telling me if the starter or
alternator is dead?

On Sun, 09 Jan 2005 16:43:10 -0500, "kodrik" > wrote:

>Yes, the weather has changed pretty fast. It has been raining and cold
>(even snow) for the last few days, which is unusual since I live in Vegas.
>In short, the big weather change was colder and much more humid.
>
>Before I go buy a battery, should I buy jumper cables and try jump
>starting it or will it make no difference in telling me if the starter or
>alternator is dead?

Buy a battery. Yours is toast...

I got jumper cables and tried to jump the car. Connected it undr the hood
where there is a "+" sign (the battery itself is under the rear passenger
seat.

The battery meter went up to about 16v (from 12v) and I still couldn't
start the car, it wasn't even trying to start. Does this rule out the
battery as the cause of the problem?

What's left? alternator or starter (don't know what they are or where they
are)

>From: "kodrik" om
>I got jumper cables and tried to jump the car. Connected it undr the hood
>where there is a "+" sign (the battery itself is under the rear passenger
>seat.
>
>The battery meter went up to about 16v (from 12v) and I still couldn't
>start the car, it wasn't even trying to start. Does this rule out the
>battery as the cause of the problem?
>
>What's left? alternator or starter (don't know what they are or where they
>are)
>

The alternator should not stop the engine from starting, but it may cause the
battery not to charge up while the engine is running.

I must have missed the original post so excuse me if I ask questions that have
been answered.

Are you saying that you turn the ign. key to start and the engine does not
crank or turn over?
Is this an automatic with a neutral safety switch?
Or a manual transmission with possibly a clutch pedal safety switch?
Maybe you have an alarm problem, if so equipped, causing the starter not to
function. You might have to go directly to the starter and jump the
solenoid's energizer terminal to test the starter independent of the ign.
switch.
Can you turn the engine over by hand.....ummm with a wrench! ;-)

BTW if it has a manual transmission then you could possibly push start it.

Or are you saying that the starter works, the engine cranks over but does not
start?
Do you hear the fuel pump running? Might be fuel pump relay.
Might be an ign. problem, maybe the engine speed sensor if so equipped, or ???

Good luck with it!

later,
dave
(One out of many Daves)

"kodrik" > skrev i en meddelelse
lkaboutautos.com...
> Yes, the weather has changed pretty fast. It has been raining and cold
> (even snow) for the last few days, which is unusual since I live in Vegas.
> In short, the big weather change was colder and much more humid.
>
> Before I go buy a battery, should I buy jumper cables and try jump
> starting it or will it make no difference in telling me if the starter or
> alternator is dead?


Try to borrow the cables, a decent set with electronic protection ia about
same price as a battery.

Greetings Aksel

I'm not that familiar with the Audi starter, but if it is like most other
starters, the most likely cause of failure is the solenoid.

When you attempt to start the car, do you hear a "click" sound? Also, have
you had instances where you would get the "click" sound, try again and have
the car start?

If so, you are probably looking at worn solenoid contacts. In some starters,
you can replace the contacts and be back in business. When you think about
it: other than the few seconds that the starter is turning the engine, it's
sitting there idle. This is what we call "low duty cycle" operation. Things
like bearings and brushes don't get nearly as much wear as the solenoid that
has to conduct a hundred amps or more whenever you turn the engine over.

Ken


"Aksel" > wrote in message
k...
>
> "kodrik" > skrev i en meddelelse
> lkaboutautos.com...
> >I have a 1995 audi A6, never had a problem starting it. Yesterday, it was
> > hard starting it, as if the battery was almost dead. I thought I had
left
> > the light on and drove it to recharge the battery, when I tried to
restart
> > it, it did it again, a very very weak starting as if the battery was
> > almost
> > dead.
> > This morning, nothing, it's not even trying. Brought the battery to be
> > tested at Auto-Zone at it has a full charge.
> > Anybody can help me figure out what the problem is please?
> >
> > Thank You
> >
>
> Can nbe either battery or
>
>

I wish I could do all that but it took me over an hour to even find the
battery, which was under the back seat. I have no clue where the starter
or the alternator are, and I wouldn't probably be able to identify the
solenoid if I found them, even less jump it.

I tried, I would love to know my car better but I guess I have to take
little steps at a time. So I am having it towed to a garage so they can do
their thing.

Thanks for your help and advice

> I wish I could do all that but it took me over an hour to even find the
> battery, which was under the back seat. I have no clue where the starter
> or the alternator are, and I wouldn't probably be able to identify the
> solenoid if I found them, even less jump it.
>
> I tried, I would love to know my car better but I guess I have to take
> little steps at a time. So I am having it towed to a garage so they can do
> their thing.

Would still be interested to know what they figure out.

Christoph
--
Important: Emails sent to me which contain my full name
in the "to:" or "cc:" field will bypass my spam filter.
With most programs "Reply" should do the job.