S3 is not starting!!

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vijays786

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Hi Audi-sport.net

I'm new in here and need some help.


My car is not starting. When I turn the key it starts to *bib* and the DIS says BRAKES !

The keys didnt work suddenly, but now they work fine as they should, but the car does not start.

Checked the brakes and everything seems to be as it should.

The steering-column lock was recently changed and the battery has been a little low.

Any Idea's what it might be?
 
Nice mix of issues there any of which could have a hand in your problem. Can't imagine there is a safety feature built in that stops car being driven if brakes are worn, unless it's a much bigger brake issue (e.g. ABS failure).

Battery low will not help as these cars have a lot of electrics to manage. I think it has a smart system which shuts down unnecessary ancillaries to allow car to start with remaining available power, but if this threshold is passed it may be a no go.

First port of call try charging the battery (cheapest option) - if no charger get a jump start.

Then if not working get the steering column checked.

When you say the keys didn't work but then they did, are you sure this wasn't the battery causing this issue?

And do yourself a favour mate, do get the brakes checked, especially at this time of year when it's hard enough to brake. Pads can be had from £80+ if you self fit so don't risk your safety, or others.

Best of luck getting it sorted, but remember cold weather seriously impacts battery life / performance, and if its the original battery and the car is in the 56-57 age range it may be getting in that age range where it needs replacing, so GSF or ECP should be able to source one for reasonable money.
 
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It may not let you start it if you brake fluid level is low or a fault in the level sensor?
Just a thought.
 
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brakes even abs fault wont stop the car starting
the brake symbol does come on with low battery
so as above recharge or jump start the car
 
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Battery does not seem to be the problem. I've charged the battery and still it does the same thing.
Could it be something to do with car has been decoded some how.
Key is working fine and open and closes the car as it should.

On the DIS it says ((!))
Brakes

The time and date on the car seem to be wrong aswell.
 
try to put a jump pack or jump from another car
so many ppl get the brake in red and 3 beeps
sometimes batt seems fine but its just not got enough juice to run all the moduals and start it
also with the time and date wrong points to dead batt
 
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i had a flat battery recently and the exact same warnings came up. not much help but i havent changed the battery and all seems fine.

(btw, i charged the battery with jump leads and all is fine since)
 
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Dont understand guys coz there is a prof. charger on the car at a workshop. And battery should be fully charged how can it make a difference if i connect jump leads? i'm pretty sure it has something to do with coding the as the steering-column lock was changed or am i totally wrong? The guy at the workshop couldnt get a reponse on the car when he plugged it to a computer.

:-S Audi has a long waitng before they can look at the car.
 
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Im was having a similar problem turns out water has got into ecu and fried it! because its located under wiper scuttle,

What years is yours and have you had it mapped?
 
vijays786 said:
Battery does not seem to be the problem. I've charged the battery and still it does the same thing.
Could it be something to do with car has been decoded some how.
Key is working fine and open and closes the car as it should.

On the DIS it says ((!))
Brakes

The time and date on the car seem to be wrong aswell.
Click to expand...

car being decoded? are those keys new? as in are they cut new?

just thinking if the keys are not programmed to the immobiliser then the engine wont start! also you are pressing down on the clutch before turning the key right? (manual cars only)
 
What! you must be kidding me.. That sounds really expensive.... how much is a ECU?
 
right so u had some work done on the car ?
did it start b4 the car went into the garage ?
did it start after the steering lock was changed ?
 
water in the ecu box can do the relays
check in there as above relays dont cost much
 
itwasntme187 said:
car being decoded? are those keys new? as in are they cut new?

just thinking if the keys are not programmed to the immobiliser then the engine wont start! also you are pressing down on the clutch before turning the key right? (manual cars only)
Click to expand...

The key is original and works as it should. The immobilliser is located on the steering-column lock and this might be coded wrong or something :shrug: And yes i'm pressing the clucth.. hehe had the car for some while now so i know i'm suppose to.
 
i think you should start from the begining
did it run after steering lock was changed ?

the immoblizer is coded to the clocks not the steering if codeing was lost car would start for 2 seconds cut out and a yellow light would flash
 
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From the Start:

The car is a s3 from 2007 and yes it is mapped.

Some while back someone broke in to the car and had put a screwdriver into doorlock and broken it.
The sat nav was stolen and for now i've put the orig. audi chorus in. They also tried to do something to the keyignition but didnt suceed, and the key goes in like it should. Allthough some how the steering-cloumn lock jammed/stuck.

Bringing me to my problem.

The car has been standing still for a month now.
So now the steering-column lock has been changed and it does not start.

Hopes this helps and sorry for the lack of infomation. i'm new in here.
 
right if it was the immo the car would start for 2/3 seconds and cut out if it dont do this then rule that out
check in the ecu box for water if so dry out etc replace relays
becos the vcds wont connect id say ecu box
 
bez101 said:
right if it was the immo the car would start for 2/3 seconds and cut out if it dont do this then rule that out
Click to expand...

not really, my dads merc just clicks if the immo is not there, we tried it with a new key that opens the locks and works on the remote but no engine
 
itwasntme187 said:
not really, my dads merc just clicks if the immo is not there, we tried it with a new key that opens the locks and works on the remote but no engine
Click to expand...

not been funny but this aint no merc
audis with an immo problem fire up for 2 to 3 seconds then cut out
there to very diffrent cars
 
bez101 said:
right if it was the immo the car would start for 2/3 seconds and cut out if it dont do this then rule that out
check in the ecu box for water if so dry out etc replace relays
becos the vcds wont connect id say ecu box
Click to expand...

It could.. be i'm not so sure about the relays havent checked yet.
I will try to check it and then tell you, but how could water suddenly go in to the ECU??

Thanks for the replys so far. Really appreciate all the help for now.

If anyone else have experienced a problem like this be welcome to write.


The car is not DSG, it's manual.
 
Can someone post picture a picture of of their box with the relays look like?? Just want to check if everything is were it should be.
 
take a pic of yours and ill tell you if its ok
i cant be arsd to open mine if its not wet tho it should be ok
 
foto3.jpg


foto.jpg


foto2.jpg


http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k583/vijays786/foto.jpg

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k583/vijays786/foto.jpg
 
Is the engine not turning over or not firing?
 
The computer that the work shop (wow) have Cant even communicate with the car and cant roll the windows down with the Keys.
The battery has a charger on from cebora..
 
Nothing happens when i turn the key.. Engine does not turn nor fire. The only thing that happens is three bibs and it say brakes like in the first photo.
 
does the fuel pupm prime can you hear it ?
when you turn key does it click or anything
where are you based ?
 
I'm guessing the chap is overseas judging by the left hand drive and kmph speedo?

Can they not get communications with any ecu on the car or just the engine control unit?

If it's just the engine control they can't get into then they should be checking the earths and feeds to the engine control unit.
 
Nothing happens no Clicking Sound or anything. Could te reason be that the coolerent fluid is under minimum, the Oil is under minimum and the fuel is almost emty. Could it be at safety precaution Then ? Have to mention All the details even the smallest .
I'm based in sweden.
Thanks guys
 
no nothing to do with fuel oil etc
to be honest id find a better show and get someone that knows what there doing to look at it
 
Yes i know but they have a long waiting at Audi. Have booked a time though.

Was All the electric components in the right place on the photo?? Fuse relays ect.
 
Mine did this, same problem, same warning lights.

It started with the car cutting out when stuck in traffic, displaying the same warning beep tone and DIS `brakes` sign.

AUDI assist came out and it continued to happen intermittently, starting then cutting out etc..

It went into the dealer (under warranty) and the dealer showed me it hooked up to diagnostics and cutting out, when it did, ALL of the Control Modules went to FAIL on the diagnostics machine, which was highly unlikely.

So the dealer pulled the car to bits, testing every module, only to find it was a power supply RELAY that sat in the circuit ahead of the Control Modules.

Basically, when the relay shat itself, all of the Control Mdules went down, and the BRAKES warning turned out to be a spurious DIS fault which turned out to be a bit of a red herring and possibly casued by a module associated with the brakes sending duff signals.

Anyhoo, I am pretty sure this is your problem.
Just a shame I cant tell you which relay it was, although it turned out to be just a couple of quid for the part and an easy job!

Good luck with the fix but I would concentrate your efforts here.
PM me if you want more info or help.

Paul

EDIT: Original Post here, sound familiar? http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/100495-s3-cutting-out-oh-oh.html
 
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Poul!!!!!!!!!
You are a darling!!!! Problem solved! It was the relay!!!

Now the car is running, but it seems like thère is somethings wrong .
The car is shaking and it doesnt have any power.
I connected the computer and it says fuel pressure regulator 2 fail.
And the EDC and Engine lights up in DIS.

Want to thank you guys very much. I'm a very happy that people are so friendly and helpful in here!!!
 
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Which relay did this turn out to be? I have starting problem my S3 will turn over fine but just will not fire up, anyone have any ideas on my problem, I've been searching for ages

Sorry for pulling an old thread back to life
 
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