2000 A6 won't start
12-26-2003, 10:01 AM
#12
you are completely wrong. On our cars, during the first minute or so of running...
the ECU meters in a lot more fuel to compensate for the cold engine (sort of like pulling the choke **** on an old carburated engine, but the opposite way, the amount of air is the same, but more fuel.), and also to help heat up the cats. If you shut off the engine during this period, you WILL gas foul the plugs. Try a search on this, if you don't believe me.
Oh, and chances are, since the engine is not running, there won't be any codes of any relevance.
Oh, and chances are, since the engine is not running, there won't be any codes of any relevance.
12-26-2003, 12:11 PM
#15
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Ok, replaced the battery
and it still doesn't start. Doing the same thing as before. When we drove it yesterday, we did just back it out of the garage into the driveway. I can't believe doing that causes your car not to start. Any other suggestions? I have no idea how to clean spark plugs. But I might be willing to learn.
12-26-2003, 12:21 PM
#16
Yep, that's it. You have to get the plugs out of the car, and at least clean them,
with carb cleaner, and a wire brush, and dry them very well.. I just went through this with my brother, who didn't believe me either. The plugs came out soaked in a gas/carbon mix. When he saw them, and I showed him what a healthy plug looked like, he was like 'yeah, no wonder it won't run..'.
With earlier engines with a cable on the throttle butterfly, you could just hold your foot down, and the air coming in would eventually dry the plugs enough to start (and there would be LOTS more air for combustion. With the electronic throttle control, I am not sure if the throttle opens with the engine not running, never looked. This did NOT work with my brother's GTI, though it worked fine with my older A4.
With earlier engines with a cable on the throttle butterfly, you could just hold your foot down, and the air coming in would eventually dry the plugs enough to start (and there would be LOTS more air for combustion. With the electronic throttle control, I am not sure if the throttle opens with the engine not running, never looked. This did NOT work with my brother's GTI, though it worked fine with my older A4.
12-26-2003, 12:23 PM
#17
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I disagree - any gas would have been forced out by the
constant cranking and the open exhaust valves. the rest would have evaporated...
he needs to see what codes the car is throwing
he needs to see what codes the car is throwing
12-26-2003, 12:33 PM
#18
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It started!!
I held the pedal to the floor and cranked it til it started. According to my dealer, moving the car can flood the engine and cause it to lose compression. The moral of the story is if you have to pull your car into the garage, drive it around the block first because it may not start the next day.
12-26-2003, 05:40 PM
#20
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Wrongo Jon. This sounds like the famous car wash syndrome.
"I just backed it out to wash it and now it won't start!" You don't have to clean the pugs though. Let it sit overnite and it should be OK.