A8 Parts Forum - A8 Dead :(

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- - A8 Dead :( (https://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1023)

Ian, I took of the driver side wheel, and wheel arch liners off the A8 yesterday but couldn't see the wire or any green dust :Confused:

Just spoke to Ben at AVP, was going to have both D2s 'shipped over' but hes away for a week :(

He told me to try this on the A8 which sounds intresting. On the left passenger footwell there is a block of wood that is screwed in, unscrew it and there is a black relay at the top left, which is ignition related. Its numbered 201 IIRC. Swap this with the one from the horn (same relay) and see if it starts. Ben really knows his stuff, I am properly properly impressed. +++

Your not going to believe this, I just tried starting the A8 ad the S8 again and they both sprang to life first time, how spooky..
Will get Ben at AVP to give them the once over anyhow..

That's really weird - must be intermittent faults there somewhere, which need checking out - please keep us posted...

Went to grab a Pizza for lunch and...

Rescued by a renault, oh the shame...

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1246643519

Getting fed up now, had a new windscreen coming for it at 3. Called the AA at 2 they didn't get to me untill 5:30.. The windscreen guy was good enough to come and meet me at the pizza place though. Anyone know which relay is for the ignition? Ben said its the same as the one for the horn. I found the horn one? 204, cannot find the ignition one.

Sentimental value is getting in the way of this A8, we have had it eleven years and don't want to let go of it. Otherwise would have chopped it in for something a little newer.

Bens away for a week now, so will have to get it to him next week, shame though. I actully prefer driving the A8 to the S8. Much nicer power delivery, S8 snaps your neck off if you press the accelorator a little to hard, the only way to stop this is driving it constantly in tip mode! A8 is perfect, really relaxing to drive and I don't boot it around town and 30 zones anyway.

Thanks

I have the upmost respect for Ben, but in his weeks absence I'm not familar with the ignition relay he is wanting you to investigate.

If you want to answer my previous direct questions as to *exactly* what the symptoms are we'll try and help (its a public forum for just this sort of thing afterall) but reading through the thread, you've 2 cars, both randomly flakey and there are no real details for anyone to chip in ideas - Its probably why you're not getting a great deal of constructive help on this one yet.... +++

There are a million reasons why a car wont start, but its not really difficult to narrow down with some basic info.... +++

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian@A8Parts (Post 5571)

I'm sure we can help you, as its rarely anything major, but how about some more details??

1) Does it have power - Does the ignition actually come on, with the cluster etc

2) When you turn the ignition on, do you hear the pump pressurise in the boot?

3) Does the starter motor crank over or not?

4) If so, Does it turn over at the normal speed?

5) Is there any sign of firing, or is it dead?

6) Are both cars seriously showing *exactly* the same symptoms?

Give us some more info and I'm sure it can be fixed easily - Ben will no doubt get it going, but it'll be a costly tow over to him in the first place..

1) Yes, it has power. The lights instrument cluster and everything work. I even spent the three hours waiting for the AA listening to my I Pod through the stereo.

2) No, only noise I can hear is coming from the relay box, a clicking. This could just be because I have taken the wooden cover/ carpet off it though!

3) No :(

4) ---

5) No sign of firing, its exactly like trying to start a car in 'D' or with a disconnected battery.

6) I'm pretty sure the S8 is a fuel pump, got a warranty on it so not to worried about it.

Thanks for helping Ian, hope this makes it a little clearer for you +++

P.S Ben said that sometimes water can get into where the relay box usually is on these models, sure enough when I took the carpets out. It was drenched around that area!

That sounds to me as if the main power feed has coroded and no power is being supplied to the starter motor. The junction where the power supply jumps from the battery cable to the starter motor is where you can see the brown cable in this picture...

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...n2DSCF1509.jpg

Here is the schematic for it.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1246710869

If the cable ends have coroded then there will be no power to the starter motor.

Cheers for that Mike, could you let me know if this is the drivers side or passengers side?

I concur with Mike, main power feed corroded....

Its on the drivers side.

The cable, being a live earth, is encased in a plastic block. It may be easy to overlook, but keep looking and you'll find it. Theres only one bloody thick power lead under the front end of the chassis i promise you +++