Help! Car starts, then dies. Starts and runs fine, when giving gas during ignition.

[TehC0de]

Believe me, I know what you're thinking. Yes I did a search, yes there have been similar threads over the years, but while i have similar symptoms, i don't have the multitudes of symptoms everyone else has had. I'm really scratching my head on this one.

It started 2 days ago out of the blue. Started the car cold, rpm went up to 1100 then shut off immediately no CELs, same thing happened a couple of times after, then i decided to give it some gas, and the same thing happened and still no CELs. Then I gave it just about half throttle, and it started up and ran fine.

After a warm start, it goes to it's normal 8-900 rpm, then shuts off immediately again no CELs, and again i have to give it about half throttle and it starts up fine no problem.

The major difference here, from all the other similar situations is that once it starts it's completely normal. I'm not throwing any CELs, and my VAGCOM is reading nothing.

I've narrowed it down to a number of things, and most have disproof.

Immobilizer/key needs reprogramming - I considered this, but if the immobilizer is failing I shouldn't be able to start it fine with gas and run no issues.

Fuel Pump bad - I've detected no unusual noise when it primes, and I have never stalled out while idling. Drove 200 miles yesterday never stalled at idle in neutral.

Fuel Injectors bad - Again while driving, no misfires, no stuttering during acceleration or anything is, everything seems normal.

Boost Leak/Vacuum leak - I checked all my hoses running from my FMIC to the intake mani, as well as vacuum hoses on my DV as well. No Leaks

MAF issues - Unplugged it, same thing happens at start-up.

Fuel Filter - This is the only thing I haven't gotten around to replacing, but I honestly don't see this as the issue here.

Feels like I'm starting up my old 69' carbureted Charger back in highschool >.<

Thanks in advance!

[TehC0de]

Sympathy bump?

[TehC0de]

I guess everyone is scratching their heads like I am apparently :/

[walky_talky20]

The very first thing I would do is clean the throttle body and do a throttle body adaptation (TBA) in vag-com.

[TehC0de]

The very first thing I would do is clean the throttle body and do a throttle body adaptation (TBA) in vag-com.

Hmm good idea, i'll do that when I get home tonight.

[SyK0]

Im having the exact same issues as you man. This happened to me a while back, and (I think) my crank sensor was replaced. That seemed to solve the problem for quite some time. But, now the startup issue is back again...

[TehC0de]

Im having the exact same issues as you man. This happened to me a while back, and (I think) my crank sensor was replaced. That seemed to solve the problem for quite some time. But, now the startup issue is back again...

I heard about that, but I was told if that sensor goes bad i should be getting a CEL.

[FromS60toB61.8t]

I heard about that, but I was told if that sensor goes bad i should be getting a CEL.

not always, and its the cam position sensor. it did it to me too and after about 2 weeks it gave me a CEL for intermitted signal but then turned back off but it was that. its located right next to the oil filter and a real pita to find lol.

[TehC0de]

Yeah I was told it just plugs right into the block, but I still find it odd, if it's not sending the signals properly that it wouldn't throw a CEL or show up in my VAGCOM. Let alone retain normal drivability after i do get the darn thing running. The thing is basically a modern distributor, but without all the mechanical aspects.

Oh well, this is what makes owning an Audi so much fun, i get to get dirty under the hood tomorrow yay!

[Charles.waite]

Did you check the pump fuse? I pulled it once to relieve pressure in the rail and when I started it I had similar symptoms.

[TehC0de]

Did you check the pump fuse? I pulled it once to relieve pressure in the rail and when I started it I had similar symptoms.

Yup, I should have mentioned that part, I checked that fuse, as well as the dash cluster fuse in hopes of resetting the immobilizer if that was indeed the cause. Unfortunately to no avail :/ I guess I'll have to wait till tomorrow to check out the cam position sensor, and hopefully solve this issue, or at the very least cross something off the board.

[fergmonster]

Mine did this. The first time it failed-did it do it after it was warm/up to operating Temp? Mine was the Crankshaft postition sensor. It wasn't difficult to change. There is a write-up on here or A4mods if I remember correctly. You can get the part at ECS or dealer.

[SyK0]

tehc0de, please let me know what was causing the problem for you, maybe its the same for me, thanks

[waldo1324]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-AUDI-CRAN...sories&vxp=mtr

now you go fix yr B6

[Charles.waite]

Get out of here with your ebay ghettoness Waldo.

Stop trying to bring others down toy our level!

So shameful.....

[daghstdrummer]

i'm thinking the throttlebody went bad... crank position sensor the car would run like crap after or not at all from my experience...

[waldo1324]

i'm thinking the throttlebody went bad... crank position sensor the car would run like crap after or not at all from my experience...

mine ran fine when it went bad. just wouldnt start right,

[waldo1324]

Get out of here with your ebay ghettoness Waldo.

Stop trying to bring others down toy our level!

So shameful.....

damnit charlie!
you know im thinking of a personalized plate:......... "EBAYFTMFW" or an acronymization thereof

oh and SIG UPDATED!!!

[Charles.waite]

i'm thinking the throttlebody went bad... crank position sensor the car would run like crap after or not at all from my experience...

You may be confusing the Cam position sensor and the Cranks position sensor.

[daghstdrummer]

You may be confusing the Cam position sensor and the Cranks position sensor.

I probably am i've been up since 3am and am starting to go delirious

[TehC0de]

Just an update here, I ordered a crankshaft position sensor from ECS on Sunday mornin, and got free over night shipping. So hopefully tomorrow I will be able to swap it out, if it gets here.

And... fingers crossed... that it will remedy the situation.

[waldo1324]

And... fingers crossed... that it will remedy the situation.

90.034% sure it will

[SyK0]

Just an update here, I ordered a crankshaft position sensor from ECS on Sunday mornin, and got free over night shipping. So hopefully tomorrow I will be able to swap it out, if it gets here.

And... fingers crossed... that it will remedy the situation.

Worked for me, for awhile at least lol

Hopefully that's the problem for you and nothing else

[JAEUADNI]

90.034% sure it will

x2

[TehC0de]

Got the sensor tonight, so much for overnight shipping haha, already had plans for tonight, so I'll be replacing it tomorrow.

I'll update the thread with the results tomorrow!

[diagnosticator]

Check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail. Must be ~ 58 psig or 4 Bar. If the fuel pressure is to low, then that could be the cause of the problem you described. The fuel pump must also hold the minimum residual pressure with the car turned off. That is, the fuel pressure must not drop below about 35 psig after 10 min after turning the engine off,.

[waldo1324]

Check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail. Must be ~ 58 psig or 4 Bar. If the fuel pressure is to low, then that could be the cause of the problem you described. The fuel pump must also hold the minimum residual pressure with the car turned off. That is, the fuel pressure must not drop below about 35 psig after 10 min after turning the engine off,.

class dismissed

[Charles.waite]

Check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail. Must be ~ 58 psig or 4 Bar. If the fuel pressure is to low, then that could be the cause of the problem you described. The fuel pump must also hold the minimum residual pressure with the car turned off. That is, the fuel pressure must not drop below about 35 psig after 10 min after turning the engine off,.

Can you just get a pressure gauge that screws onto the schraeder valve on the end of the rail? Or do you need to cut feuel lines and install it inline?

[TehC0de]

Got the sensor tonight, so much for overnight shipping haha, already had plans for tonight, so I'll be replacing it tomorrow.

I'll update the thread with the results tomorrow!

Well I swapped out the sensors today, and it seems everything is back to normal operation. Although the car choked the very first time I started it up after the install, which I expected since it was a new part. But after that It started up first time each time I did Cold and Warm starts. I'm going to try it a couple more times throughout the day.

BTW the swap was a PITA the connector is behind the coolant resevoir so you have to move that out of the way, then the line runs underneath and behind the fuel rail, up through the intake manifold, and down around the oil filter. With about 37 zipties and clamps along the way, very little room to work/cut. Then the 5mm hex bolt that secures the plug into the block is a blind feel and loosen ordeal.

Took me about 2 hours, hr and a half of that was gettin the old one off >.<

[TehC0de]

I'm going to try it a couple more times throughout the day.

Done and done, works like a charm now.