Why won't my A2 start?

millie

millie

Member
Hello, I'm a new owner! Have recently bought (privately) 1.6 FSI SE '03' petrol, in a gorgeous colour I have yet to find listed (like a chocolate brown). It has open sky which doesn't always work (worked on test drive!) & from having read various items on it, I think it will stay that way! I have been put off slightly by the horror stories on here, but I do like my little run around, however after a fun 3 weeks of having it, it no longer starts and I am met with the Engine Management Light, it was fine one day, not the next, no warning nothing! Have thought it might be immobilser, so tried other key, no luck, battery is fine, it wants to catch so there is sound, no click as such. Can't get it to Audi to do tests as it won't go anywhere! Any ideas please?
 
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Hi millie, sorry its not under better circumstances but welcome to the A2oc.
My best guess for the starting problem would be a failed engine speed sensor. Most of the other engine sensors have a default setting or interpolate readings from another sensor as a back-up, allowing the engine to keep running but at reduced power.
One of our members had a diesel which would not start because of a faulty brake light switch. This could also apply to petrol models so check the brake lights are working normally. Sounds daft but the engine ecu trims the fuelling when the brakes are applied so a faulty switch could result in insufficient fuel to start.
Ideally you need someone to run a diagnostic check on the car as this would almost certainly identify the fault. (The engine does not need to be running for this)
Let us know how you get on.

Cheers Spike
 
Many thanks for my warm welcome. Have just joined RAC and will see what diagnostic check says, will let you know, I hope it is something very simple. I would agree it is an alignment issue on the open sky due to the loud clunk it gives when on occasion it does open! Many thanks on colour! Despite my teething problems, I do like my A2 alot!
 
Ref. your opensky - the loud clunk could just be the second glass pane freeing itself from the rubber seal it rests on. It may be worth you cleaning the seal when the roof is part open, and maybe using some silicone spray or similar on the rubber.

The danger is that eventually something more expensive will give way as strain is put on the mechanism each time it tries to free itself.
 
All sorted, sillicone spray worked a treat with the Opensky & RAC fixed starting issue, embarassingly it was only flooded! I had moved it up on to garden a few days ago to give it a clean and the shortness of the journey filled the engine with too much fuel. Once foot was down hard on gas for a min or so a huge amount of black smoke and it started! So I am happy again & slightly embarassed! Many thanks all.
 
i guess it does happen...i had the same problem with opensky made the clunking noise but too late for the sillicone spray as i opened it recently and it would'nt close took me around 3 hrs to close it...im never gonna open it again.. it would partially close or slide out of place..and its far too expensive to repair...i'l cope fine with the climate control
 
Millie, I had the same problem with my A2 I moved it a short distance then turned off the engine. When I went to start it hours later it would not start. Called out VW assist and they found the problem it was flooded. I was advised to let the engine tick over for at least a minute before turning it off as this prevents the flooding. Never happended again so dont be embarassed just one of those things happy motoring
 
Pleased that your A2 is now fully operational! Castle Red is your colour and it looks great. Saw a picture of one on this site last year, in Germany, I think. Anyhow it had chromed retro fitted wing mirrors. Very cool, I thought.
 
I absolutely adore the colour, have now changed my profile to 'Castle Red'. Need to find a touch up paint now for the slight scratch here & there. On that note, previous owner has bumped rear spoiler on window (is it called a spoiler?) Any recommendations on where to get touch up or anything to cover white scuff marks. Thank you!
 
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