A major issue with my 2004 Audi A4

2004 AUDI A4

85,000 MILES • 6 CYL • AWD • AUTOMATIC

PAUL_J_L

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1 POST
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I have an Audi A4 3.0 that I had my sister take care of while I was deployed. Due to the battery being drained, it took 7 months until I was able to try to start it. Now the engine will not crank, and it will click continously.

I tried charging the battery, and it worked...Once. Now the car will not start and is making clicking sounds.

When the car was running, it was rough on idle. I'm thinking about taking to a auto shop, but I'd rather be able to price shop before I spend all the money in having my car towed to the shop on top of the repair costs.

Could anyone help?

Jan 31, 2011 at 10:12 PM

CARADIODOC

CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
34,309 POSTS

The fact it started at all is surprising. The models that do start will not come off of idle and will not come out of park if you have the "throttle-by-wire" system. That uses a very complex computer and sensors to replace the common sense throttle cable. Normally you must tow the vehicle to the dealer so they can reprogram "minimum throttle" with their equipment. It's expensive so almost no independent repair shops have it, although I heard there are some aftermarket scanners now that have that capability. Most other cars relearn minimum throttle while they're being driven.

In the future, use a memory saver when you disconnect or replace the battery. I connect a small battery charger while replacing the battery. Keep in mind too that most manufacturers only guarantee a good battery will crank an engine that has been sitting less than three weeks. That's because of the constant drain from all of the memory circuits in the many computers. You can get away with longer periods of time if you charge the battery first before trying to start the engine even once.

Thank you for your service!

caradiodoc

Jan 31, 2011 at 10:47 PM

Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.