Audi A4 TDi starts then stops

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Thu 1 Jan 2004 09:17
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - DL
Intermittantly, when starting my A4 TDi, the engine starts then immediately stops. Eventually, after 4/5 goes, it will remain running.

I have tried all the keys (thus ruling out a transponder issue)

The car is fully serviced and is in a standard condition.

Has anyone any ideas?
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Thu 1 Jan 2004 18:14
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - Ivor E Tower
Try leaving the key in "ignition" position 2 for a few seconds before engaging the starter - I have a similar problem with the VW/Audi TDI engine in my Ford Galaxy. It seems that trying to start it quickly means that the electronics do not keep up. It could also be a sign that your battery voltage is dropping meaning that a new battery is imminent - I had to change the battery in my car in early December and the problem has basically gone away since then.
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Fri 2 Jan 2004 12:12
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - Big John
Sounds like a fuel drain back issue, check for fuel line leaks (before pump) also check fuel filter (when was it last changed?)
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Fri 2 Jan 2004 13:19
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - Clanger
It must be a ticklish problem for the venerable DL to ask the Back Room for help.


Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land
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Fri 2 Jan 2004 18:56
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - DL
LOL! The wife is hassling me about it...that's the problem!

I have the car all day tommorrow and will put the wait a second or two suggestion. I am reasonably hopeful.

Still, the power of the internet never fails to amaze me, so I thought I'd see if anybody could help me out!

Thanks for the help guys :-)
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Mon 12 Jan 2004 01:16
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - mgk luton beds
have you checked belt timming have heard that crankshaft wears and so does the bottom cog driving timming belt thus thowing timming out,bad starting/smokeing as it gets worse wont rev etc etc poss valve damage
only answer is to replace cog and lock and seal it to the crank
hope this is not your answer
ex vaux tech
fbillytom@ntlworld.com
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Mon 12 Jan 2004 01:39
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - Ian Chandler
How old is the A4? If it is made in 1995/96 it could be the keys playing up. The chips in the keys can become unreliable - goodness knows why - and the answer can be to get new keys. Much as I hate to recommend giving any business to Audi dealers, it might be worth asking them to check out the electronics, which sometimes doesn't cost more than about £20, and they can reprogram the immobiliser and keys at the same time.
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Wed 14 Jan 2004 20:22
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - DL
Thanks for the replies guys

The cambelt was replaced about a month ago; the crankshaft pinion and key was checked - all OK.

It's been doing this [and getting worse] for 6 months or so now.

I've tried two other keys, with no improvement. Even waiting 5 secs after turning on the ignition makes no difference.

Think it might be time to move on from Audi.........
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Thu 15 Jan 2004 01:24
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - mgk luton beds
try clamping off your fuel line at night and see if things improve
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Thu 15 Jan 2004 07:21
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - DL
Well, for my sanity I hope it is nothing to do with the injection pump :eek:
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Thu 15 Jan 2004 07:50
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - greaser pv
Could it be that the glow-plugs are losing their feed from the relay after initial start-up occasionally , as you probably know most glow-plugs remain heated for approx. 20 secs after engine start. May be a cheaper option to go for than the pump !
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Thu 15 Jan 2004 13:34
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - DL
Nope, it definately isn't that.

It does it hot or cold; there's no pattern to it
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Sat 17 Jan 2004 19:50
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - IDIY
Could it be the accelerator pedal beginning to pack up - fly by wire technology, although I believe that the computor goes to idle mode if the pedal is faulty - also Car Mechanics article was saying that you can't test the pedal but replacements are quite cheap HTH
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Wed 21 Sep 2005 21:02
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - hm
DL,

did you ever sort your problem out...I have the same issue 1996, tdi 90. the issue is intermittent......worse I think when cold (the engine not the weather)

also, from cold, if you rev the engine up (3500rpm) and let off she almost stall , sits there and stumbles, I would around 600rpm but the clocks still show 900/950rpm..weird...
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Wed 21 Sep 2005 22:50
Audi A4 TDi starts then stops - adverse camber
The original problem sounds like the transponder pick up. Yours sounds like a different problem.

What miles, when serviced, belt changed etc ? Have you had it on the diagnostics ? Does the glow plug light come on and go off ok ?
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