Car Suddenly Dead with no Click! Please help!

[audifan22]

I drove home last night and parked my car in my garage and went to sleep. I woke up this morning went to my car and tried to unlock it, it didnt unlock so I figured my remote was just broken and unlocked the car manually. I got in the car and tried to turn the car on but literally nothing would start, there was no clicking or turn over sound like it was even trying. I couldnt pop my trunk or anything, nothing in the car worked what so ever. What's weird is the car hasnt had any problems turning over to start recently as if the battery was dying. What do you think the problem is, I'm not very mechanically inclined so I can't do all the test etc by myself. Would the best option be to get someone to try to jump start me and then just drop it off at pepboys?

[CystmX]

When you turn the key are you getting power at all? Is the radio working?

[audifan22]

Nope when I turn the key I get absolutely no sound of anything trying to work, no radio, nothing works whatsoever. Everything has been and was working fine until this morning out of no where

[teamdaraptor]

See if someone can jump you if you dont have a battery charger. If you do, charge it up over night. Start it up, let it run to get the alternator working, and take it for a spin. Come back, shut it down, and try starting again. If it starts, you know its your battery. Check the date on the battery too. Most have a sticker on them somewhere with a month and year. Pretty good indicator of battery life.

[Dimitris_Kon]

It sounds like the battery is dead. Try to find a friend with a cable to connect his battery to see if the car starts..


Dimitris

[vannyhuj]

Yes definitely start with getting it jumped (if it's manual you can pop the clutch). Have the battery tested, that is the most likely cause of the problem. It could be your alternator, but definitely start with the battery.

Do you have an electronic mods done?

[Dubwars]

Batteries won't necessarily give you a "heads-up" kind of warning that they're dying. I'd have your car jumped and see if your battery just died overnight.

[rbraunberger]

My wifes car did something very similar and she just had corrosion around the battery connection. Try cleaning off the battery connections and see if she starts right up. If not might be time for a new battery.

[audifan22]

Yes definitely start with getting it jumped (if it's manual you can pop the clutch). Have the battery tested, that is the most likely cause of the problem. It could be your alternator, but definitely start with the battery.

Do you have an electronic mods done?

I have APR chip

[schmally]

Dead battery or loose cable. Make sure cable or terminals are tight and clean jump it off. Go down to an autozone and have them check both battery and charging system.

[audifan22]

I will look into this thanks, what can I clean the battery connections with?

[teamdaraptor]

Autozone/AAP will do a 3 system check on your car if you ask them to. They also have a great cleaning product in a yellow bottle, for the battery terminals. Get a wire brush (or they may have a terminal cleaner) spray that crap on there liberally, wait about 10 minutes and wipe it clean. Best cleaner I've used. But ya, go into there and have them check those systems. They'll check: batter, alternator, and starter. Well worth the free service.

[teamdaraptor]

Stuff I have is called "CRC technician grade battery cleaner with Acid Indicator" it was $2.99 from Advance Auto Parts.

[audifan22]

It seems to me from what I've been reading that if the car isn't even making a clicking sound or turn over sound and its just completely dead out of no where, that often times it could be corrosion from the terminals and that I should clean them.

[teamdaraptor]

Sounds accurate. Spend the $2.99 on that stuff I told you about, and get a brush too, and clean em off. Have someone come jump you, and let it run for about 10 mins. Then drive around the block, come back, shut it down, and restart it. If it doesnt start, go get a new battery.

[vannyhuj]

It seems to me from what I've been reading that if the car isn't even making a clicking sound or turn over sound and its just completely dead out of no where, that often times it could be corrosion from the terminals and that I should clean them.

Yeah that is possible. You should be able to get an idea by just looking at the terminals if they corroded. Like teamdaraptor said, bring it to an auto store and they'll check it out for you.

Also the APR chip would not affect this, I was more curious about aftermarket stereo, remote start, etc that could draw current. Just a chip though, you are good.

[audifan22]

Just figured out the cause, had it in valet last night, I always have my headlights on auto so they turn off after I park, when I got my car back from valet and drove home the valet guy switched the setting for the headlights to remain on, so the headlights must have been on all night at home. What are the chances that tomorrow when I jump start it and drive around for 20 min, that the battery will keep its charge?

[audifan22]

A friend of mine is telling me now that he believes in our cars even if the headlights arent on the auto setting and are on the "on" setting, that after 20 minutes the headlights will shut off anyways...is their any truth to this?

[Sprode]

Just figured out the cause, had it in valet last night, I always have my headlights on auto so they turn off after I park, when I got my car back from valet and drove home the valet guy switched the setting for the headlights to remain on, so the headlights must have been on all night at home. What are the chances that tomorrow when I jump start it and drive around for 20 min, that the battery will keep its charge?

50/50. If it hasn't happened before, slightly better. You'll find out the next day...

[audifan22]

Car seems to be working fine drove it around for a while, had lunch, and then was able to restart it...but for some reason the car remote that unlocks and locks the car doesn't work at all anymore..it worked initially after the jump, but no longer. Any reason why?

[Tusin]

Could be a dead battery in the key:) Trying to remember off the top of my head how to reprogram the key. But it is put the key in the ignition, set the key to "ON" (do not start the car) and press and hold either the lock or unlock (cannot remember) for about 5 seconds.

[walky_talky20]

Just wanted to comment here that in a case like this, a simple jump start is not always a good idea. If you leave your lights on for, say, an hour or 2 and the car won't start when you get out of the mall, sure. Jump it and be done. But if you leave them on all night and the battery is completely flat, jump starting can cause damage to your alternator. Not the actual jump, but after disconnecting the jumper cables you alternator is going to be charging like mad to bring your completely dead battery up to 14 volts. That is very high current and very stressful on the alternator. If it is that dead it is best to charge with a battery charger at least partially before starting the car. There are emergency situations where this isn't an option, but for the longevity of your alternator it is a good idea. Wait till you find out how much a new alternator costs at the dealer (almost $800 for a 2.0T, *plus* installation).

Yes definitely start with getting it jumped (if it's manual you can pop the clutch).

Actually, popping the clutch probably wouldn't do it here either. You see, the ECU needs a minimum voltage to do it's job, as does the fuel pump, coil packs, and injectors, among other things. You might think then, once the engine is turning then the alternator will create the necessary voltage and the car will start, right? Not so much. The alternator requires a minimum field voltage to do it's job as well. Without that initial voltage from the battery, it won't do anything for you. In the previous 2 hour mall scenario, sure, get your buddies to push it across the lot and bump start it. Lights on overnight will completely drain the battery making that impossible.

^^Just my opinion, here. Trying to add some hopefully useful insight.

[audifan22]

Just wanted to comment here that in a case like this, a simple jump start is not always a good idea. If you leave your lights on for, say, an hour or 2 and the car won't start when you get out of the mall, sure. Jump it and be done. But if you leave them on all night and the battery is completely flat, jump starting can cause damage to your alternator. Not the actual jump, but after disconnecting the jumper cables you alternator is going to be charging like mad to bring your completely dead battery up to 14 volts. That is very high current and very stressful on the alternator. If it is that dead it is best to charge with a battery charger at least partially before starting the car. There are emergency situations where this isn't an option, but for the longevity of your alternator it is a good idea. Wait till you find out how much a new alternator costs at the dealer (almost $800 for a 2.0T, *plus* installation).



Actually, popping the clutch probably wouldn't do it here either. You see, the ECU needs a minimum voltage to do it's job, as does the fuel pump, coil packs, and injectors, among other things. You might think then, once the engine is turning then the alternator will create the necessary voltage and the car will start, right? Not so much. The alternator requires a minimum field voltage to do it's job as well. Without that initial voltage from the battery, it won't do anything for you. In the previous 2 hour mall scenario, sure, get your buddies to push it across the lot and bump start it. Lights on overnight will completely drain the battery making that impossible.

^^Just my opinion, here. Trying to add some hopefully useful insight.

Thanks I never knew it, unfortunately I did jump start it from it being flat and drove it around for 30 minutes using the alternator to charge it up...I hope that won't be an issue in the long run.

[walky_talky20]

Thanks I never knew it, unfortunately I did jump start it from it being flat and drove it around for 30 minutes using the alternator to charge it up...I hope that won't be an issue in the long run.

The major danger is the alternator overheating. If you were driving it you increase the revs from idle, which helps it charge better. It also increases the speed of the internal fan which helps with heat. So you're probably fine. Lot's of people do the same thing you did. It's just better if you can avoid it.

[audifan22]

Can anyone help with my key remote not working anymore? It's definitely not the battery and I searched for key programming threads and tried all the techniques such as hitting unlock sticking it in ignition and turning it to "on" position, then to off and taking the key out and hitting a button again...didn't work. Nothing seems to work to get the key remote to work, I definitely don't want to pay the dealer for this...any thoughts?

[audifan22]

Just tried this method and it appeared to work at first as everything in the directions went smoothly, and then I also tested it a few times after all the keys were out of the ignition (and it worked but only for a few tests, then the remote became dead again).

How do I reprogram the remote control?

1. Take the valet key, put it into the ignition and turn the key to the "on" position, just prior to starting the car.

2. Roll down the driver's side window (not required, but a good idea in case there's a problem).

3. Exit the car and close the door.

4. With a second key, physically lock the doors (don't use a remote).

5. Take the first remote to be programmed, press one of the buttons and the lights will flash once. Wait 10 seconds and press the unlock button. The doors should unlock. That first transmitter is now programmed.

[audifan22]

I've tried absolutely everything and the only method that worked for a few minutes was the last method, but then the remote wouldnt respond again. My audi dealership wants $160! Should I give it one last attempt by buying a new key remote battery and trying to resync it with the fresh battery? Do you think a brand new key remote battery would make any difference?

[teamdaraptor]

Wait so the key in the ignition and at the "ON" setting didnt work? I had the same problem a few weeks ago and that worked... I would suggest replacing the battery in the remote and then trying it again. Hard to believe that if you stick the key in the ignition, turn it to "ON", not start, and press the lock button... it shouldnt work.

[audifan22]

Wait so the key in the ignition and at the "ON" setting didnt work? I had the same problem a few weeks ago and that worked... I would suggest replacing the battery in the remote and then trying it again. Hard to believe that if you stick the key in the ignition, turn it to "ON", not start, and press the lock button... it shouldnt work.

The method you described hasnt worked, the method described in the manual hasnt worked, the method with the 2 keys hasn't worked. The battery is transmitting power to the key remote as I got it working for a few minutes, but then it just stopped working again. I figure I'll try a fresh battery for the programming, but I don't see why it would make a difference.

[audifan22]

Okay replaced the battery in the key remote today to a brand new one and still absolutely nothing...I'm beginning to think maybe its my central locking system? How can I confirm? Dealership quoted me $160, so I'd obviously like to not have to pay that just because my car battery died. Should I maybe unhook my battery for a few minutes and see if that does anything?

[audifan22]

Sorry for the frequent updates, just trying to figure this out while hoping someone can jump in and help out. Now all of a sudden sometimes after I do a long drive (15+ min) and get out of the car, the key remote works to lock and unlock etc. , but then after a certain amount of times trying it'll stop working altogether again. This is with a fresh battery and a key remote that was working 100% fine until my car battery died.

[mr shickadance]

i may be a bit confused because you said you swapped the battery in the key remote (the little button battery) and i couldn't tell if you replaced the car battery as well (i skimmed this) if you have not changed the car battery, give that a shot as your old battery that died may be toast and giving you problems

my reasoning is that on long drives the alternator is able to charge the dead car battery enough to make everything function for a short amount of time and then dies and im assuming that the first thing to go is the key code that responds with your clicker

[alimo20]

probably way too late but in case anyone else has the same problem - in the b6's, after a total power loss (like a dead/removed car battery), the central locking needs to be re-engaged from the passenger side by simply locking/unlocking. that will reset the system and should restore what OP was having after the battery replacement. then again that is for a b6.