D3 Starter Power Probe
 

Hi All

I have had an on-going starter issue with my D3 and I am now in a position to hit it with a Power Probe. It has been standing for a while and nothing happens when I turn the key - its had a new battery and all the ignition lights come on but no sound, I was advised to try and power probe the starter as they don't like being left stood.

I have removed the battery and I am waiting for my PP3 to arrive so I can give the starter a kick, failing that its off to the garage for a new one.

I am not sure where the starter is located and how easy it is to get to in order to power probe it. I can jack it up (it has a full cover underneath :Confused:) and access underneath and I can access the engine but not much room in there either!

does anyone know the best way to access the starter to get a probe on it?

Thanks
+++

This might also not be the cause - could also be the crankshaft position sensor especially if you've noticed that the car has more trouble starting when its hot than cold for a period before it stopped starting at all?

Starter
 

Thanks for that, its never had any issues starting, I just stopped using it and didnt start it regularly enough...

ok maybe not then! carry on that man! It might just be a poorly earthed earth cable as well so investigate that

A8 D3 Power Probe
 

Still cant see it with the passenger side wheel and cover off :Confused:

Any Clues? Do I need to remove the under cover too - power probe at the ready!!+++

A8 D3 Power Probe
 

Problem solved :)
 

+++Just thought I would provide an update on this.

ITS FIXED :D:D

So I bought a the Power Probe III, nice tool only I didn't get to use it on my starter motor.

I had previously bought a new battery from Halfrauds and attempted to start the beast with it, no joy, so I tried numerous variations of battery off my co' car (lol), new battery, without success, I did get ignition lights but that's it. I suspected the attempted car starts drained my new battery so as I already had a CTEK battery charger it made sense to charge the new battery fully and try again

Oddly (or not) the new battery wouldn't fully charge and never got past '4' on the charger - it should get to '7'. So basically the new battery wouldn't hold a charge.

Foolishly, I didn't think much of it because it was still reading 12.5v. As the starter wouldn't turn over my last ditch attempt to get the beast running was to power probe the starter motor. My shiny new Power Probe III arrived and I was keen to get to the starter and give it a go. I needed to jack the car up to get access to the starter so it was back to Halfrauds for some decent axle stands and wheel chocs, oh and while I am there I may as well return the battery as it has a 5 year guarantee.

Halfrauds tested the new battery, 5.4V, ran a quick test and nada, zilch, kapoot, yes a useless battery. I can't imagine me trying to start the beast with it would kill it as its brand new and should be able to fully recharge and hold that charge right? Anyway I got my axle stand, chocs and another new battery which I made him charge and test before I took it home.

first thing was to put the new battery on and test, nothing. In fact worse, I now had no lights whatsoever, just interior lights nothing on the ignition etc so after connecting my CTEK charger to the new battery I carried on with the starter motor plan.

I took the passenger side wheel off, took the cover off and could just about see the alternator, no sign of the starter. I checked the battery and it had got to '6' already on my CTEK which was good, not seen that before!

Anyway, I started testing all my fuses with the Power Probe and they were all fine. I was reading a thread on AudiWorld for no crank and some guys were talking about locking and unlcokin the doors with the key and retry so I was messing with the key opening and closing the doors and I thought I'd try again.

I put the key in, turned the key and all the lights came one, I mean every light!!! doors open, bonnet, boot open lights etc I mean every single light on the beast came on! Time to try a start so I turned it over and low and behold THE STARTER TURNED OVER +++

I didn't want to kill it so I left it for 5 mins before trying again and you guessed it - the beast roared into life +++:D

VCDS done and apart from the EPB which I know about, all good so after I have taken it for a clean and a riiipppp round the motorways its off for a MOT

Thanks to everyone who shared info on this and shared my pain +++