1998 Audi A4 V6 30V not starting.... Help!!

[George Selby]

At 12:29 AM 4/19/2009, you wrote:
>Well.. I can push start the car and then the car will run. I forgot to add
>that in. I guess I could drive it there and they can pull codes for me.
>
>Does that help anyone provide solutions? I thought if I could push start it
>safely assume that the fuel pump is fine and everything really is fine
>except for the starter. I don't know now..
>
>Tony

Car not starting can mean a couple of things with totally different 
solutions.  You can turn the key and nothing happens, or you turn the 
key and the motor spins over, and it won't catch.  Since you state 
that you can push start the car, we can assume that the problem is 
merely that the starter doesn't spin over when you turn the key to start.

So, since you have changed the starter we can probably assume that's 
not the problem.  So more than likely the problem is either the main 
power cable going to the starter, or the smaller signal wire that 
tells the starter to start starting!  Furthermore, since you have 
changed the electrical portion of the key switch we can probably 
eliminate that from the equation.  My guess would be the starter 
interlock on the shifter. If you have an auto tranny, try putting the 
shifter in N and see if the car starts then.  Alternatively, try 
jiggling the shifter in all directions (while in P or N) while you 
have the key turned to start.  If you have a manual tranny, the 
problem is probably the clutch interlock switch.  Don't have a quick 
test other than to find the switch (usually over the clutch pedal,) 
and use a jumper wire to circumvent it (which I do with any car I own 
with a clutch anyway!)  If you have a test light or multimeter, you 
can see if you have +12V at the smaller starter terminal when you 
turn the key to start (this will help confirm the problem is in the 
start circuit from the key: no +12V with key at start; well, there's 
your problem.)

I would also check to see if you have all the wires attached to the 
starter you just changed correctly.  Check the battery terminals, 
too, sometimes they will allow all functions of the car to work 
except the starter.  Try twisting them by hand to see if they are 
loose, and make sure there isn't any corrosion on them.

Being really careful, you can also confirm the starter works by 
running a jumper cable from the battery + terminal to the small 
'start' terminal on the starter.  Be sure the car is in P (with auto 
tranny) or neutral with the parking brake on (with manual 
tranny.)  If the key is in the 'ON' position this should start the 
car, if the key is off, then the starter will operate as long as you 
hold the wire on the terminal.  Remember the jumper wire is hot 
(+12V) and don't drop it when the starter starts working (It may 
startle you!)  They also sell a tool, called a remote starter, at 
most FLAPS that will enable you to test this in a slightly more safe 
manner (you hook up alligator clips to the battery and start terminal 
on the starter, then press a button to start the car.)

George Selby