Hot start problem

Tiny
LEE L JONES
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 AUDI A3
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 147,000 MILES
Every time the car gets to temperature it struggles to start.
I have changed the temperature sensor but still struggles.
Thanks
Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 4:42 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
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When it gets warm, does the starter still crank the engine over fast enough to start?
Is there any check engine light on or flashing at any time?
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 4:59 AM
Tiny
LEE L JONES
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Yes it does turn the engine over but it does struggle to and no there are no lights on at all.
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
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No lights where? On the instrument cluster, headlights, etc?
Do you have a voltmeter in order to check the battery voltage?
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
LEE L JONES
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No sorry I do not have a volt meter.
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 3:57 PM
Tiny
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Okay, you meant no check engine lights on.
You can use the lights on the car as sort of a voltmeter or better yet explained like a twelve volt test light. Turn on the headlights and also open the drivers door or turn on the dome light with the light switch because I want you to watch the dome light as you turn the key to start.
First of all the dome light should be bright, if not, let me know but one of four things should happen.
1. The dome light stay bright, in other words no change and the starter not crank the engine over. That means the starter itself is not receiving any voltage at all. That could be a blown fuse, faulty starter relay, faulty neutral safety switch, bad ignition switch, etc, but I do not think it is going to do this.
2. The dome light go off completely and the starter may click just once or not at all. This usually means a loose main battery cable connection or ground loose.
3. The dome light dim heavy, almost out but still on very dim and the starter crank slow or even stop cranking and a clicking sound. This usually means either a drained battery, bad starter maybe worn bushings in the starter causing the armature to drag on the pole shoes. I think this may be it, since when it gets hot it cranks slower.
4. The dome light dim slightly and the starter crank over fast. This is normal.
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 4:13 PM
Tiny
LEE L JONES
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Sorry mate, but what is a dome light? Lol.
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
LEE L JONES
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  • 7 POSTS
The dome/interior light goes dimmer and flickers a little and then cranks slower.
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 4:46 PM
Tiny
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Sounds like the battery is weak. I would charge it then have it load tested. Just about any auto-parts store will load test that battery for free. Or you could purchase a load tester and test the battery yourself. I bought this one from harbor freight for $21.99 and it works just fine.
https://www.harborfreight.com/100-amp-612v-battery-load-tester-61747.html
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 4:58 PM
Tiny
LEE L JONES
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I will test the battery first then to see if I need a new one or if not a new starter motor.
Thanks for your help though buddy much appreciated.
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 5:03 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome.
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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 5:55 PM

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