Weird delay in starting my car when cold but only on 1st try

B6/7 S4/RS4
#21

So it is a starter delay? You’re explanation is kinda confusing which is why I am asking.

If you have a physical delay in the engine turning over from when you are turning the key to the “start” position, it could be a few things as that is definitely not normal. It’s generally a direct path the ign switch to the solenoid if all the conditions have been met (starter interlock via clutch pedal or auto tranny neutral switch).

So it could be your clutch switch, could be the solenoid on the starter, but it could also be your ignition switch.

If you can get your hands on the starting circuit diagrams it would be a little easier to follow of course. I might have a set somewhere, I will check when I get home.

#22

Recap:

Car hasn’t been used in over 20 hours. Turn key to start position and hold. Wait 4-5 seconds. Car finally starts normally.

Then, for the remainder of the day and evening, whenever car is started, it starts like it should, no delay.

Wait another 20+ hours, back to having the delay.

In other words, it’s not random. It only happens if the car’s been sitting for a good amount of time.

Recently, it’s been better and I’ve only had to wait about 1 second, sometimes no delay at all. Might be due to the slightly warmer weather.

#23

It is the starter. Occam’s razor; starter no worky = bad starter. So many other owners (me for instance) have had the exact same experiance and it’s been the starter. The warmer weather is the reason it’s improved recently.

#24

Yeah, that’s what I figured after talking to some other people who experienced the same thing. I’m hoping I can last the summer and address it in the fall before winter and the colder temps arrives.

#25

yup, gets worse and worse till you’re waiting 5-10 minutes. Starter.

#26

Interesting, so it’s commonly the solenoid then? is this is a common issue on the 4.2?

#27

See mine happened really bad (in my opinion) twice. I was on the highway under constant driving for 3 hours, got gas and I turned it for 4 sec and it wouldnt start then pulled the key out and turned the key and it started right up… about a month and half later same thing only it took 4 tries to get it started. I really thought I was going to have to call AAA. Both times the air temp was about 40 degrees F. I have started it in air temps on a cold start up in below 30 degrees F since multiple times and since this thread has started I have yet to have a single hiccup in the start up process. My clutch has about 30K miles left on it so I’ll prob keep the car until next winter…I need to upgrade to a diesel pickup soon anyways

#28

I’ve been having the same issue on my RS4 and now my issue has become a dead car in the garage. Anyone have any idea if the R&R for a new starter is the same on a RS4 as a S4? I’d found in another forum (Audizine) the repair for the S4 but can’t find out whether it is the exact same on a RS4. Any clue?

#29

similar repair. Real pain in the ass because it’s buried in there (like everything).

#30

My car started doing this last winter and I neglected to repair over the summer (out of sight, out of mind I guess). So it’s back now. Got so bad that it took me 20 minutes after work yesterday to get it started.

Took it to the dealer this morning and they wanted to charge me $140 to diagnose it on top of the repairs, and a quote for a starter replacement was just over $1000. I thought it might be around $100 more than an indy shop and figured the loaner car plus them being able to get me in quicker made it a wash, boy was I wrong. So it was looking like $1150 or so out the door. Reminded me again why I avoid the dealership if at all possible.

Now I’ve got an appointment next week and have my fingers crossed it starts every time I need it to this weekend. Everyone here who’s had this delayed start problem, a starter replacement has fixed them, right? Was there anything you found to make it start easier when it was doing the delay?

#31

Starter replacement did fix it for me. As for doing something to make it easier to start while it was happening? Don’t let your car sit for longer than 12 hours without starting it?

I noticed outside temperature and interval time between starts were the two biggest factors for me. The warmer outside the better, and the less time between starts the better.

One morning, I couldn’t start the car and took the subway to work, that afternoon when I got home, I tried again and the car was able to start. The temperature has gone up from 5c in the morning (probably 2-3c overnight) to 13c by the afternoon.

#32

Yes stay away from the dealer. Wasn’t it you who just had your starter replaced. Anyway yes the starters bind up when it’s cold. Keeping your car in a warm garage helps reduce this.

#33

My car started doing this last winter and I neglected to repair over the summer (out of sight, out of mind I guess). So it’s back now. Got so bad that it took me 20 minutes after work yesterday to get it started.

Took it to the dealer this morning and they wanted to charge me $140 to diagnose it on top of the repairs, and a quote for a starter replacement was just over $1000. I thought it might be around $100 more than an indy shop and figured the loaner car plus them being able to get me in quicker made it a wash, boy was I wrong. So it was looking like $1150 or so out the door. Reminded me again why I avoid the dealership if at all possible.

Now I’ve got an appointment next week and have my fingers crossed it starts every time I need it to this weekend. Everyone here who’s had this delayed start problem, a starter replacement has fixed them, right? Was there anything you found to make it start easier when it was doing the delay?

#34

Ditto. Starter fixed that problem for me and my old b6 s4

#35

Starter replacement did fix it for me. As for doing something to make it easier to start while it was happening? Don’t let your car sit for longer than 12 hours without starting it?

I noticed outside temperature and interval time between starts were the two biggest factors for me. The warmer outside the better, and the less time between starts the better.

One morning, I couldn’t start the car and took the subway to work, that afternoon when I got home, I tried again and the car was able to start. The temperature has gone up from 5c in the morning (probably 2-3c overnight) to 13c by the afternoon.

#36

Yes stay away from the dealer. Wasn’t it you who just had your starter replaced. Anyway yes the starters bind up when it’s cold. Keeping your car in a warm garage helps reduce this.

#37

Ditto. Starter fixed that problem for me and my old b6 s4

#38

Got my starter replaced this Monday and even with the polar vortex upon us, it starts up immediately now every time, cold or not. The indy I use did it for less than $500, a far cry from the $1150 or so the dealer wanted. They must make a killing on people that don’t know any better and just have them do everything…

And as always, thanks for all the help guys.

#39

Got my starter replaced this Monday and even with the polar vortex upon us, it starts up immediately now every time, cold or not. The indy I use did it for less than $500, a far cry from the $1150 or so the dealer wanted. They must make a killing on people that don’t know any better and just have them do everything…

And as always, thanks for all the help guys.

#40

If you’re sure it’s the starter then you might as well just go ahead and do it so you don’t get stranded somewhere.

I kept putting mine off even after I got the part and I ended up having to get a tow one day when it wouldn’t start after 40 minutes of trying.