A3 WIERD NOISE WHEN STARTING

[audi-a3]

Hi,

I have an audi a3 1.6. When I start the car sometimes it makes a noise as if it was already started.. eg. when a car is already running and you forget it is and you attempt to start it, it makes a noise...

That's the noise I get sometimes when starting up, is it the starting motor or alternator.

Also another problem which has started this morning is the car does not tick over like normal it just dies out, could this be due to a cold morning.

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[audi-a3]

BY THE WAY THE AUDI A3 IS A 1999 MODEL ON A T PLATE

 

[Jampublic]

I get a simlar strange noise and traced it to the Air-con unit, just when i start up. If i switch the Air-con off i no longer get the noise when i start up!

Just a thought

 

[jcs356]

Could be your starter motor.

Lets have a go at explaining. When you start the car, an electrical charge forces the splined driveshaft from the starter motor outwards to mesh with the engine, which thus gets cranked over by the starter motor. When you release the ignition key, the charge stops and the splined driveshaft should retract back into the starter motor thus disengaging from the engine. What can happen as the starter gets older is that this disengagement becomes protracted and you get what I've been told is called dragging - i.e. the starter motor remains engaged with the engine for longer than it needs to be. I've got this on my Ibiza at the moment and just shows the starter motor is on the way out.

 

[AndyMac]

Could be the ignition switch not springing back from crank to ignition on.
This is an inherrent problem on B5 A4's not sure if it afected the A3, but something to watch as if it does it when your travelling it'll burn the starter motor out in seconds.
Does the key in the ignition feel loose at all, does it spring back from the crank position positively?
It's an easy fix if this is the problem, 30 minute job, part available from Audi for around £20.

 

[Ben_yo]

My A3 has this same noise and has had since i bought it, i always beleived (as others hae said) that it was the starter motor staying engaged longer than necessary. Im having it reconditioned at the end of next week so will let you know the results!

 

[benk]

It's the solenoid on the starter motor - when they start to fail, they don't pull the starter arm away from the flywheel fast enough, which is why you get a very nasty high-pitch whirr (almost a scream!) when this happens.
Classic symptom is that it only happens when starting from cold.

Some people get their starter motors all cleaned up. I got mine replaced.

 

[Jampublic]

errr guess i better check mine

 

[bachamp]

I think I have this noise as well, was it the starter motor?

 

[jm-baker]

When i had a A3 1.6, i had the same problem, and it was the starter motor staying engaged for too long!

I removed the starter motor, cleaned and lightly greased the gear end, and it cured the problem.

Might be an option for you ! ?

 

[shineydave]

i think the recommended fix is to lube the spline and starter dog with graphite dust as it doesn't attract grit like grease does. the grit will cause damage to the ring gear on the flywheel as well as the starter dog

 

[bachamp]

Thanks for that, it is under dealer warranty so I will get them to fix.

 

[Ben_yo]

I had been asked to follow this up, I had my starter motor reconditioned last year and it was fine after that. Sold the car in April this year so couldnt tell you how long the recondition cured it for but was still starting without the noise when i sold it!

 

[Prawn]

I get a simlar strange noise and traced it to the Air-con unit, just when i start up. If i switch the Air-con off i no longer get the noise when i start up!

Just a thought

I think thats a different noise Jammy!

I get the air con noise, and its apparently due to condensation on the belt causing slippage.

that sound is definately air con related, as i can start my car with the compressor off silently, then when i hit the air con button the noise occurs.

Not really a problem I dont think, just sounds horrid!

 

[Sirius]

I see this is a recurring problem with Audi. However, my problems have not yet been solved, after two-three years. I thought only I had these troubles! It is a periodical problem, nothing to do with hot or cold engine. When I turn the key, the engine makes absolutely no sound, then suddenly there is this strange noise, like described above as if you turn the key when the engine is already running.

I have a new starter, new ignition piece, new battery, but it is yet not solved. Today I have returned from a garage where they tested if the alarm was causing problems, but was told there that it was impossible, because it did not interfere with the current at all.

At the moment I am trying to sell this car that I love except for all this. But how can I sell when it occationally doesn't start? I finally get it started, but it should not be like this (I usually just turn the key, and hold it until it suddenly starts). I am actually quite disappointed with the Audi-garage, when I have spent so much money, but haven't had my problem fixed!

My car is an -98 Audi A3, 1.6 Attraction.

After reading on the net today, I will try to turn the key as some ppl have suggested, or use my spare key. Any other ideas or tips from anyone?

*fingers crossed*

Sirius, Norway

 

[mattosmond]

My 99 A3 1.8T had this problem it IS the starter motor, Audi wanted to just replace it and charge me £130 for the new s motor and £350 labour "becasue it's a bit tricky to get to!!!". Instead I used my local VW specialist and he stripped it cleaned it and lubricated it for £30 and it is perfect again. Seems to be that the starter motors can be cured by doing this and go onto last a longtime afterwards, I guess it just depends on how long it has been making the noise for.