Hey everybody, im new so please bare with me. I bought a 2001 A4 1.8t 5spd and I have now witnessed some of the craziest stuff with the car not starting. Ok so, the first time this happened, I went to start the car and when i turned the key, nothing... All the instruments and lights worked fine but when I turned the key to ignition, everything went off and nothing happened so I waited a bit and looked around to see if anything was wrong but found nothing. I then had the bright idea to try the plastic key that came with the key set and what do ya know... it fired up fine first try. After that i didn't think too much about it. until now. It happened again the other day but this time, even the plastic key did nothing. When all failed i just got my buddy to push me in the parking lot and roll started it( hate doing that) and it started and ran fine. The car has ran fine for bout a week now, but im scared it's gonna do it at a real bad time or in the middle of nowhere or something. I just was really hoping you Audi gurus could help me out before I take it to a shop because I do all the work on my cars, plus im flat broke. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Do you have access to a Vagcom? Getting the codes will be helpful. Autozone and some other places will scan your car for free.

 

I think you got lucky on that 2nd try with the valet key and it was just a coincidence and it's something else.

 

or the switch on the clutch which won't let the car start without the clutch being depressed can go bad slowly then fail completely.

 

well i don't have a CEL so I wasn't sure if it would throw a code without that lit. And the clutch switch isn't bad because it will start everytime no problem with the clutch in until it will randomly just not start. But is there any way to check the clutch engage switch and where exactly is it? So will Autozone be able to read any problem codes without a cel? Again thanks for your help, I really want to fix this without seeing the dealer.

 

The clutch switch is down on the pedal or floor board. you can unplug it and insert a piece of paper clip to short it. But, replace because it is a useful safety device. It is a long shot for you but it happened to my switch.