[audifans] re: 4000s starting issue (no click/crank)

[928s at canada.com]

thanks audifans,

 I looked underneath to to find my starter/solenoid
covered in oil sludge & road goop. Not quite like
Kneale's pic. While i easily removed the slide-on
connectors and gave them a bit of lubricant, I decided
not to mess with the larger power connectors as it
didn't want to break anything if it was working OK. As
a test, I had the headlamps on & all is normal at the
first half ignition key turn but as the it goes to full
turn the headlamps turn off. Methinks the ignition
switch is the problem.
 I'm locating a 1/2" ratchet to remove the stering
wheel [24mm socket].

_av
early '86 4000s auto
5-Cyl. 2.2
288K Km. in Canada

John McMahon  <jfm at nts-online.net> to 928s, quattro

Likely, you have a problem with either your ignition
switch or the starter itself.  Possibly, the battery,
too.  I would load test the battery, first.
This is a far better evaluation of the battery's
capacity than just checking battery voltage at the
poles. Turn the ignition to "on" and then switch on
the headlights, fog lights, rear window heater, radio,
etc.  Then honk the horn ... the sound should be crisp
and loud.  If it sounds weak and anemic, then it's your
battery.  If the horn sounds okay after loading the
battery, I would then check the starter motor's
resistance to ground.  The strap could be
corroded/deteriorated after almost 20 years of service.
 If the strap looks okay and the resistance is low
(less than 1 ohm), then I would pull the starter and
have it tested by a local auto electric shop.  If it
tests fine, then it is likely the ignition switch. 
Mine failed (a cracked housing) on my Coupe quattro 20V.
John
John McMahon
Abilene, Texas, USA
1990 Coupe quattro 20V

----- Original Message -----
From: <928s at canada.com>
To: <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 12:49 AM
Subject: 4000s starting issue (no click/crank)


> I been running my car w/o issue for many months.
> the one morning i go to start my car & nothing
happens.
> lights illuminate on dash as key turns, hear the fuel
> pump start but no 'click' or crank in the engine bay.
>
> i recharged my battery as i thought it might be lean
> even in summertime. checked fuses.
>
> i notice there's no specific relay for ignition as
it's
> a function of the ICU.
>
> looking through the audi factory manual, it mentions
> checking the transmission ground strap. When i google
I
> cannot find any refernce to this. Is this the same
> strap near the motor oil refill cap?
>
> The only consideration I can think of is that we had a
> hard rain a few days back as it's been a dry summer
and
> maybe something further corroded afterwards.
>
> i searched the audifans archive but didn't get an
> answer to my 'no-sounds starting' issue.
>
> _av
> '86 4000s auto
> 5-Cyl. 2.2
> 288K Km. in Canada
> _______________________________________________
> quattro mailing list
   
 Kneale Brownson  <kneale at coslink.net> to 928s, quattro 
You might want to check your starter wiring.  It may
look like my wife's '86 4kq's wires used to: 
http://www.pbase.com/kneale_brownson/image/43663744