Starter Question

B6/7 S4/RS4
#1

Hey guys…so last week I turned over the key and there was a 3 - 5 second delay from when the key was turned and when the motor actually began to crank. Anyone had this issue? Im guessing my starter is about to go? Thanks for any input

#2

This is very common on the Audi starters. When the temps drop below 60deg the electronics start to act up. The colder it gets the more issues you bound to have with this. It will get to the point that the starter will not even work and can leave you stranded.

I would suggest making sure you keep track of its non starting issues to assure its the starter. If the colder temps keep effecting this. I would deffinitly change the starter before winter sets in

#3

wow, thanks a bunch carlos. Getting stranded in december in chicago can be a bitch, especially for something as simple as a $250 starter. If Im not mistaken, I remember this beginning to happen last winter but stopped over the summer. Ill prob just get a new one in there so long as youve heard of the problem. Thanks again

#4

Any ideas on what normal labor charges would be on a starter replacement? How labor intensive is this? Why do I feel like the front engine mount needs to be removed for this job.

#5

If I had done a starter on an S4 in the past I would do it for you and I’m local, but I’ve never done it. You do have to remove the passenger side motor mount/bracket.

I suggest Mobile One.

#6

Best of luck, I’ve heard it’s a bit of a pain to do, so labor hours may be high, It’s just such a cramped space that it’s not easy to access anything.

#7

I paid between 1 to 1.5 hours shop time at a good indy shop (can’t recall exactly but sure wasnt more than 1.5hrs).

Starters here:

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2004/audi/s4/engine_electrical/starter.html

Or here:

http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalog/starter-new-oem-valeo-for-b6-b7-s4-p-626.html?cPath=21_56_61_240&osCsid=37771d1bf54f78b410d7e1c2ccea6f25

#8

^ wow, is that all. I must have been mistaken, I thought it’d be a little more then that just b/c of the space etc. That doesn’t sound too bad.

#9

Any advice on which starter to buy? Why is the valeo $235 on jhmotorsports and only $190 at partsgeek? Should I go with the Valeo or save $100 and buy the MPA starter for $90? Anyone with some advice on which starter to buy would be greatly appreciated. Are the valeo starters on jhm’s site and partsgeeks site the same starters?? Thanks guys

#10

Definitely go with the Valeo. The one on parts geek should be the same as the one from JHM. IIRC, parts geek used to be the place to get them from until they ran out of stock for months. I love JHM, but they don’t always have the cheapest prices and for me shipping from so cal to the east coast can be a killer.

#11

Thank you guys. Anything else I should be replacing along with this starter? Motor mounts?? Anything else?

Thanks

#12

motor mounts certainly wouldn’t be bad. What mileage are you at? There’s always things you “could” do, but how much is needed is another question. But since 1 motor mount has to be removed as it is. . . might not be the worst thing to go ahead and throw a pair of stern mounts on there.

#13

Yeah I’d throw some Stern motor mounts in there. That’s really all that’s in that area

#14

cars got 90k…mounts wouldnt hurt id assume at this mileage