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  7. Audi A3 Not Starting? 5 Causes and Solutions

Audi A3 Not Starting? 5 Causes and Solutions

audi a3 not starting

Audi A3 Not Starting? 5 Causes and Solutions

If you own an Audi A3 then you know that, for the most part, it’s an excellent car. It’s comfortable, powerful, fun to drive and practical. It’s also pretty reliable. However, one of the biggest problems with the Audi A3 is that many owners have reported starting issues. In this article, we’ll explore the top 5 reasons why your A3 won’t start, and what you can do to fix this. So, let’s take a look.

Here are the 5 main reasons why your Audi A3 isn’t starting:

  • Weak Battery
  • Dirty Battery
  • Damaged Starter Motor
  • Damaged Spark Plugs
  • Clogged Fuel Injectors

Many of these issues are actually pretty easy to fix. So, if your Audi A3 is not starting, don’t panic! Just follow this guide and it’ll be fixed in no time

Audi A3 not Starting- Battery Problems

audi a3 starting problems
Photo Credits: Unsplash

If there’s a problem with your battery, there’s a good chance that your Audi A3 won’t start. These problems are pretty easy to diagnose too, so it’s a good place to start.

Audi A3 not Starting Due to Weak Battery

Problem:If your battery is weak, then there may not be enough power getting to your starter motor. Your starter motor working optimally is essential for your car to start, showing that a weak battery will almost inevitably cause starting problems.

Diagnosis: Luckily, it’s pretty easy to found out whether your battery is weak. To test your battery, you’ll need a multimeter. These are really cheap, but give accurate car battery readings. To use a multimeter, connect the plus and minus cable to the corresponding poles on your battery. If your volts are above 14, or below 11, there’s probably a problem with your battery, which is causing the starter problems

Solution 1- (New Battery): If your car battery is fairly new, there’s probably nothing to worry about, as batteries can take a little while to level out. Just use your car as normal, and the starter problems should slowly go away.

Solution 2- (Old Battery): If you haven’t had your battery replaced in a while, then a jump start should fix the voltage. You’ll need a friend’s vehicle and some jump leads. Connect the red cable to the positive terminal of each battery, and the black cable to the negative terminals, as well as the bare metal of your engine bay. Have your friend start their engine, then start yours. You should find that your battery voltage stabilizes and your starting problems disappear.

Audi A3 not Starting Due to Dirty Battery

Problem: If your battery voltage is normal, or you’ve fixed the voltage and your car still won’t start, there’s a good chance your battery is damaged. Battery damage occurs when the battery contact points corrode, leading to reduced power output. This in turn means that your A3 won’t have enough current to power the starter motor, leading to starter problems.

Diagnosis: To find out whether or not your battery is dirty, you’ll need to have a good look at it. The main point of concern is the terminals, which are located beneath the rubber covers. White spots indicate that your battery has corroded, and will need cleaning. If there are visible cracks around your terminal, there’s a good chance the battery is beyond repair. In this case, you’ll probably have to buy a new battery.

Solution: Cleaning the terminals is actually pretty simple. You’ll first need to disconnect the pole cables, by removing the black and red cable. Then, make a cleaning paste by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda into some water. Use a sponge to soak the terminals in this mixture, leaving it for around 10 minutes. Then, wipe the mixture away with a cloth. Repeat until there are no visible white spots remaining.

Damaged Starter Motor

starter motor
Photo Credits: Unsplash

Problem: Your starter motor is responsible for starting your vehicle. If there’s a problem with this, your car won’t start, even if the battery and other components are working optimally. Starter motors can last for up to 150,000 miles before breaking.

Diagnosis: If you can hear a clicking sound when you try to start your vehicle, there’s a good chance that the starter motor is damaged.

Solution: You can’t really make any repairs to a starter motor. Your best bet is to replace the unit altogether. This will set you back around $100-200.

Damaged Spark Plugs

audi spark plugs
Photo Credits: Unsplash

Problem: Your spark plugs are responsible for providing a spark, so that your engine can burn fuel. If there’s a problem with your spark plugs, your car won’t be able to burn any fuel, which can cause starter problems.

Diagnosis: Check your spark plugs for damage or wear. If the plugs have visible cracks in them, there’s a good chance that they’re damaged. You should also check the spark plug tips for burn marks.

Solution: If your spark plugs are damaged, the best solution is to have them replaced entirely. This will cost around $150, including labor.

Clogged Fuel Injectors

engine bay audi
Photo Credits: Unsplash

Problem: Fuel Injectors are responsible for providing fuel to your engine. If they become clogged, your engine won’t have enough fuel to work properly, causing problems with starting.

Diagnosis: To check whether your fuel injectors are clogged, check the top of each tip for dirt. You could also check the fuel spray, to see whether they are clogged.

Solution: Clean the injectors thoroughly with water and a cloth and test your engine again. If cleaning doesn’t work, you may have to replace your fuel injectors. This can cost up to $1500.

Audi A3 not Starting- Final Thoughts

So, there are 5 reasons why your Audi A3 is not starting, as well as solutions to get your vehicle back up and running.

Starter problems are normally much easier to fix than you might think, so don’t panic if your A3 struggles to start. Although, if you ever feel out of your depth when trying to fix your vehicle, consult a mechanic. They’ll be able to diagnose and fix the problem quickly and safely.