My Car will not crank regularly.
When I go to crank my car it will not crank every time immediately. I have to insert and remove the key a different amount of times in order for my car to crank. At times it acts as if it is going to crank (hears the engine) and then it shuts off in the matter of seconds. Once the car is crunk my car will drive with low power and gear shifting is not as smooth as it was before. While I was driving and I when I came to a stop (two different incidents 3 weeks apart) my car stalled out.
My car has 53000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello there, many common faults will cause your 2011 Audi A4 to have issues starting. If you have to inset the key a number of times your vehicle may have an ignition issue, the most common are worn keys, ignition switch, or a key cylinder. Other possible issues are the battery, fuel pump, starter, battery cable, MAF sensor, or a wiring harness issue. A qualified Technician such as one from YourMechanic will be able to diagnose your car hard to start issues and make any repairs required to resolve the issue.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Most of the time it is found that a dead battery is causing your car not to start. Even if the battery is not dead, then a weak battery can also cause your car to crank but not start at all. You can use the jump-start method to start the car and recharge the battery.
The most common reasons an Audi A4 won`t start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter. Search our network of RepairPal Certified shops near you to speak with a technician about your issue.
Dead Engine
Finally, your vehicle might not start because of the battery, alternator, starter, fuel filter, or the fuel pump. All of these things play a role in getting your vehicle started. If the pump is dead, you won`t be able to get gas into the combustion chamber to start the car.
Clogged Fuel Injectors If the car cranks when you turn the key, but the engine won`t start, it could be because fuel isn`t getting to the engine. One potential reason for this could be dirty fuel injectors. Over time, the fuel injector nozzles can become clogged with rust, corrosion or debris.
Failing Battery or Starter Motor If a battery is low on energy, or if the connections are loose, your engine may be able to crank, but it may not start–or it may take several tries. Similarly, a starter motor that`s beginning to fail may still crank the engine, but won`t be powerful enough for it to start.
The slow cranking can be due to a defective starter, bad cables or connections to the battery, or a bad battery. If the engine is turning too slow it can cause low voltage to the fuel injection and fuel pump causing the no starts.
A difficult start could be due to a number of things, from a dying battery to a faulty starter. But if your vehicle has a hard time starting after sitting for just a few hours, it can cause an extra layer of confusion. When this happens, one of the most common causes is low fuel pressure.
You have a hard time starting car. If the problem is the fuel filter, and it isn`t changed soon, you may find that your vehicle won`t start at all. Misfire or rough idle. A dirty fuel filter could prevent the engine from getting enough fuel.
Engine misfires, hard starting, and stalling
A fuel leak due to a worn or damaged hose can cause the vehicle to experience issues such as misfires, hard starting, stalling, and can even prevent the vehicle from running at all.
The crankshaft position sensor monitors the position and speed of the crankshaft and other parameters that play an important role when starting the engine. If the crankshaft position sensor is having a problem, the vehicle may have intermittent starting issues or not start at all.
Engine won`t crank. If the electrical contacts inside the switch have failed, turning the key to crank the engine might not result in any response at all. Engine starts and stalls.
Low fuel pressure can lead to engine misfires, low acceleration, rough idles, and engine stalls. If your check engine light is on and your car has been stalling out, you may have a fuel pump failure.
Defective ignition switch If you know your battery is working properly, but your car doesn`t turn over on the first few tries, you might have a problem with the ignition switch. You can try to narrow down the cause of your issue by turning on your headlights.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Car won’t crank when it’s cold and now won’t start at all
ANSWER : Hi there:
Usually this issue is cased by low cranking amps inside the battery. If you’ve recently had the battery replaced, it’s possible that an electrical component that makes up the charging system might be damaged or faulty. It’s also quite possible that the main electrical relay or the starter relay is giving you fits. To know for certain what the exact issue might be on your 1989 Toyota Camry, you should have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection, so they can pinpoint the source of your issues and recommend the right repairs.
My Car will not crank regularly.
ANSWER : Hello there, many common faults will cause your 2011 Audi A4 to have issues starting. If you have to inset the key a number of times your vehicle may have an ignition issue, the most common are worn keys, ignition switch, or a key cylinder. Other possible issues are the battery, fuel pump, starter, battery cable, MAF sensor, or a wiring harness issue. A qualified Technician such as one from YourMechanic will be able to diagnose your car hard to start issues and make any repairs required to resolve the issue.
When I go to crank my car the key stays in the start position and the car is constantly trying to crank itself.
ANSWER : First, let’s make sure about some terminology before I proceed. I will assume the motor is actually turning over. If the car is trying to start, the motor has to be turning over or it is not trying to start. This is an important distinction when diagnosing the starting system. As a technician, I go to different parts of the system based on this description.
If the key is stuck in the start position, this is a ignition lock cylinder issue and the reason the starter continues to turn the motor over. If the starter is turning but the motor is not, then the starter is likely the problem. Either that or the teeth on the flex plate are all gone. This would require removing the transmission to repair.
If the car runs intermittently, this can be a big challenge. And it also means the starting system is working. It will need to be diagnosed when it is failing. A working car cannot be diagnosed because there is nothing wrong. Where you park your car should not have any affect. It certainly could be a wiring problem. Wiring problems hide really well and can happen anywhere in the miles of wires that are in your car. Isolating the system that is failing is really important here. At the moment I am unsure which system is failing. Starter system, ignition lock cylinder and or ignition switch electrical or something with the engine control system.
When the car is failing, you need to check for spark and fuel pressure. If neither is present, this is a clue. Usually the crank sensor will do this. Does your car have a tachometer? If so, does it move at all when cranking. This is a clue whether or not the cam and or crank sensor is working. Is there a Check Engine Light on with the key on? If there is a Check Engine Light, the code or codes can be used for specific diagnosis.
All of these concerns will send you down a diagnostic path. Be sure not to confuse yourself by misinterpreting multiple system failures. If the key does stick in the start position, this would be the first problem to solve. After that, does the motor actually turn when the starter turns? After that, the question of "Why won’t it start?" is first answered by finding what the motor is lacking. Fuel, spark etc… Good luck.
If you need assistance with these checks, contact a certified mechanic who has the tools and experience needed to properly diagnose this starting issue with your car.
I put the wrong key in my car and a few weeks later my car just shut down and it will not start I believe it’s the computer but…
ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you
The starter off and on wont turn over when trying to crank the car.
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Often when starters are installed they come with a shim. These shims need to be installed to help hold the starter at the proper angle. If the angle is off the gears may not mesh correctly putting excess pressure on it that the starter cannot compete with. If the starter did not come with a shim, or you do not have it anymore, you can likely purchase or fabricate one relatively easily. If this does not solve the issue, make sure there are no wires that are being pinched or shorted out when the full weight of the car is being supported. For more help diagnosing the issue, contact our service department to schedule an appointment. And thank you for you service to our country.
Car will not crank immediately
ANSWER : This may potentially be related to a faulty starter relay or possibly a bad wiring or cable connection to the battery, the starter or the starter relay causing intermittent power supply issues. The starter relay directs power from the battery to the starter solenoid which then engages the starter when you turn the key. When this is not working properly, you may notice intermittent starting problems including no response when turning the key to start. Generally, when this does fail, it does so very randomly and usually without warning other than intermittent starting. The power from the battery will still power other accessories such as radio, horn, etc., but you may not have any power to the starter. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and replace your starter relay.
Car keeps cranking over when not holding key, but still wont start
ANSWER : It sounds like you have 2 problems here, the starter and an engine stalling problem. The starter problem is probably the starter solenoid, a power switch (integrated into the starter assembly) that takes a small current from the ignition switch and engages a large current at the starter. The contacts in the solenoid can burn over time, "sticking", which can cause the starter "run-on" like you described, and a "no crank" condition, because the same burned contacts don’t pass heavy current very well. The poor idling may be due to a dirty idle air control valve, dirty throttle body, or air leak in the intake system of the engine. I would recommend having YourMechanic dispatch a mobile, professional mechanic to your location to do a (Starter Replacement)[https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/starter-replacement] and car starting trouble inspection.
Replaced alternator on car 2 times each time shows it’s charging 14v let car run for a little bit then test drive and car voltage
ANSWER : There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.
