Engine cranks but will not start

Tiny
BRIANMCAULIFFE
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 AUDI A4
  • 2.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 64,000 MILES
Hi Guys, I bought the car listed above. It is a TDi B8 Diesel model two weeks ago ago. A private dealer. Car drove perfect for the first week, no issues starting even from cold. And no issues going up hills. Then last week after driving to a friends house, tried to drive home and it would not start.

Firstly, I checked the glow plugs and used starter spray into the air intake and the car started a little before stalling again when I stopped spraying.

So it seems it is getting air and there is spark.

So I am thinking it must have no fuel. Checked the owners manual and noticed the filter had not been changed since day one.

I changed the filter. No luck.

Guessed it then must be one of the pumps ether the high pressure pump on the engine or low pressure pump in the tank. Checked the fuse, no break and checked the electrical to both pumps both okay.

I then removed the fuel fill line, thinking if there is fuel in this then it must be the high pressure rather than the low. But it was bone dry and I had read it should be under pressure so fuel should have come out straight away but seen as I cleared the line when I removed the filter I am not sure would there be fuel there.

There does not seem to be a hum off the low pressure pump when trying to start the car. But it is hard to tell because it is a push button start rather than a key.

Basically I am going to change the pump, but I want to know is it possible for the pump just to go after no symptoms? It was able to drive to where I was going only when I got back in the car after an hour it did not start.

Is there anything else I should check before paying a load for a new pump? Thanks. Apologies for the long message.
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Monday, November 13th, 2017 AT 3:34 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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To answer your question, yes a pump can go without warning. As far as the problem, with the line disconnected, turn the car to the run position (no foot on the brake and press the start button). See if any fuel is supplied. I hate to say this ( hope it does not make you mad, lol) it does have fuel in the tank, correct?
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Monday, November 13th, 2017 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
BRIANMCAULIFFE
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Hi Jacob, Thanks for the reply,

I thought of that as well thinking it may be just a bad fuel senor that read quarter full and was actually empty so I put ten liters into it but no luck.

It is a push key start rather than a turn key ignition. When I slide the key in (but not really a key) into place should the pump start to hum then or will it not work until I push it in further and start ignition?

I will try that and let you know.
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Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 AT 8:24 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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As far as the pump running, it should for a couple seconds to prime and pressurize the system.
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Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
BRIANMCAULIFFE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I decided to check the electrics myself this morning as it was my father who had check them preciously just to make sure before I buy a pump, but there is only 7/8 volts getting to the pump. So I have decided just to bring it to a garage, as I cannot say for certain it is the pump or not.

Thanks for all the help, one last question if you would.

Would 7/8 volts be part of the issue if it is a twelve volt system?

Thanks again, I will let you know how it goes.
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Wednesday, November 15th, 2017 AT 6:11 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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O yes the pump cannot run on anything less than about 9 volts.

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, November 17th, 2017 AT 1:42 PM
Tiny
BRIANMCAULIFFE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hi Ken,

Mechanic charged the battery ( which I had done as well, but I didn't charge it fully to be fair only 1.5 hrs) cleared the codes and the car started?

He not sure what it is, But now it has no power steering

I'm thinking maybe its the belt or something that has stopped the Alternator from turning and thus not charging the battery.

But before this all happened the power steering was fine?

I'm thinking they have to be related some how, so gonna check the belt and battery volts tonight with the car running. Any other suggestions?
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Monday, November 20th, 2017 AT 3:24 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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The car has electronic power steering so it sound like a fuse or relay that has gone out. Here is two guides and some fuse panel and wiring diagrams so you can do some simple testing to see what's going on. I would start with the engine compartment power relay.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the engine and steering wiring diagrams with the fuse panel locations (below)

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, November 20th, 2017 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
BRIANMCAULIFFE
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Hi Ken, thanks for the reply, it's the Uk version Audi A4 B8 2009 model 2.0L TDi 143 bhp, apologises but it definitely has hydraulic power as I'm looking at the power steering fluid reseviour.
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Monday, November 20th, 2017 AT 10:32 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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It sounds like the problems are not related. I would check the power steering fluid level maybe moving the car around with the engine running caused the power steering fluid to be forced out of the reservoir. Can you send me a picture of the pump? Also is the engine still running?
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Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017 AT 10:27 AM
Tiny
BRIANMCAULIFFE
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Brought it back to the mechanic and he told me a fuse was missing, which seems impossible as where the fuse is I didn't even open up, also gave the tank half full and now it's empty along with him charging me 40 euro for a fuse, ether way not much I can do so paid up, thanks for all the help, problem solved for now
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Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017 AT 12:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Please use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, November 24th, 2017 AT 4:59 PM
Tiny
RAAJTUTT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 AUDI A4
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 20,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2007 Audi A4 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 20000 miles

Car won't start and no electrics working. Was fine just 5 mins ago. Is it possible it's cut out for security reasons as my 2 yeras was playing in the front of it?
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Friday, November 24th, 2017 AT 5:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Car won't start and no electrics working.

If you meant no power at all going anywhere -test the fusible links or main fuse
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Friday, November 24th, 2017 AT 5:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JGGARZA90
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 AUDI A4
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 93,000 MILES
This car has been maintained in tip-top shape, never been late to a routine check up, oil change, etc. It broke down quite suddenly. I had not driven it since this Wednesday, and today (Sunday) I tried to turn it on - it did, so I know the battery isn't the issue - and then about a second later it just died. Once it died, the battery light came on. I am sure it is not the battery since I just replaced it 4 months ago (end of this winter). The days have been rather hot and I know this sometimes drains battery life, but it is basically new. I then tried to turn it on and accelerate. I did, and it did remain on, however by just pressing the accelerator slightly it revolutionized up to about 3000. And as soon as I unpressed the accelerator even a little, it dies on me.
I have no idea what to do and I'm sure hooking it up to another car for startup won't do much, since the battery doesn't have trouble turning the car on - something has trouble keeping it on. Should I still try this? I'm afraid hiring a towing service to take it to the nearest service center will be expensive.
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Friday, November 24th, 2017 AT 5:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
My first thoughts are no fuel pressure, this could be a failed fuel pump, this will have to be tested by a qualified tech.
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Friday, November 24th, 2017 AT 5:00 PM (Merged)

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