SPONSORED LINKS

Engine will not start?

Tiny
JOANNAJ97
  • MEMBER
  • 2018 AUDI Q3
  • 5.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 56,000 MILES
Car says switch ignition off battery discharging. Took the battery to get checked got told the battery is in perfect condition. The car is past due for an oil change, oil is chunky. The car won't start. Could an oil change and tune up help the car start? No check engine light.
SPONSORED LINKS
Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 AT 8:36 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,280 POSTS
Hi,

Oil is chunky? Can you take a pic and upload it for me to see? I ask because there could be something different happening in the engine.

Now, does the engine crank normally when you try to start it? Is there anything you can do to eliminate the battery drainage indicator?

Let me know. If possible, record it cranking and upload it for me to hear. Also, take a look through this link, you may find it helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-not-running-advanced

Let me know.

Joe

SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 AT 10:01 PM
Tiny
JOANNAJ97
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I changed the oil and the spark plugs and now it starts and sounds like this.
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 AT 8:43 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,280 POSTS
Hi,

Is the noise coming from the top of the engine? If you remove the oil fill cap, is it louder? It sounds like there could be a camshaft phaser issue. How dirty was the oil? You had me concerned when you indicated it was chunky. LOL Was it that bad?

Let me know.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
JOANNAJ97
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes, I believe it is coming from the top of the engine. Once I remove the cap it is louder. The oil was very dark lol, once I changed the oil and the spark plugs it actually turned on, now it's just struggling to stay on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 AT 7:16 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,280 POSTS
Hi,

Okay, could you let me know if the check engine light is staying on while the engine is running? If it is, could you have it scanned for diagnostic trouble codes? Also, let me know if the noise was present prior to the issue.

The idle is acting like there is an engine vacuum leak or there could be an issue with the idle air control valve. There are other possibilities, but those are the most common. Let me know about the check engine light and if you can scan the computer. Here is a link that shows how to scan the CAN (controller area network). This can retrieve codes regardless of the module storing them.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Since this is specifically engine-related, a basic scan should tell us what is needed.

Here is a quick video showing how that is done:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2IJGfImVvw

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 AT 7:25 PM
Tiny
JOANNAJ97
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So actually, when I scanned it no codes came up, which was odd. The only thing that came up was my tire pressure. Also, there is no check engine light! The only thing on my dashboard is " switch engine off, battery discharging " but as I said before my battery is perfectly fine. I'm going to see if a new PCV could fix the issue, because there was no noise before this issue. Car was running great prior to this happening.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,280 POSTS
Hi,

If you are getting the indicator to turn the key off/the battery is discharging, the problem sounds related to the electronics and not the PCV.

I have a favor to ask. Is it possible for you to remove the serpentine belt and spin all the belt-driven accessories to see if one of them is making noise?

If I understand, the discharge indicator is on with the ignition off. Is that correct?

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 AT 8:23 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Not Running Content

How to fix an engine that wont start
VIDEO
How to fix an engine that wont start
Instructional repair video
Engine Not Starting - Top 3 Easy Steps
GUIDE
Engine Not Starting - Top 3 Easy Steps
Over the past 20 years on 2CarPros we have identified the top three problems that are easily fixed. This can save you a trip to the repair garage or calling a tow truck and...

Sponsored links