Starting Issues – Audi 90 2.3

[Lachlan Frazer]

Hi people,

as the title states, I’m having some issues with my recently acquired Audi 90. It has the 10-valve 2.3 NG motor, and when it’s running is an absolute dream. Getting it running is the problem.

At the moment i’m having to clutch-start the car because the starter motor will not crank the engine when you turn the key to “start”, however if you run a single wire from the battery positive to the starter solenoid switch, the solenoid will engage and the engine starts without any issues.

I’ve tried replacing the relay that control the starter motor to no avail, issue still remains. You can hear the relay clicking when you turn the key, but the starter does not run. I still need to check continuity between the relay and solenoid, and relay to battery, however if these come up fine then I’m stumped. Any other ideas for things to look at?

Cheers in advance,
Lachlan

Edit – Have checked continuity of the entire system, and it’s all working fine. Was getting 12V at the solenoid trigger, so tried to start it manually again using the secondary wire and it wouldn’t start. Have confirmed the solenoid is cactus.

Topic

[Jeremy]

There is a direct wire that goes from the battery to the starter. Check the condition of that wire. It may be cracked or I have even seem them break in half (on my vw Golf). Also, is there corrosion or rust on the battery terminals or on the starter? If so clean that off. Let me know if that didnt work il try to help you out

[dan]

First as with any electrical situation check the battery first, make sure your battery is in good condition, and has clean connections, a dead battery is not a good battery, and i have seen just a battery low on juice do funny things, so check that first.

then you need to check continuity between the battery and the solenoid or starter, or the relay and the solenoid, it sounds like the starter isn’t getting any juice from the battery, you may have a bad connection or something, obviously a open in the circuit somewhere if you are getting absolutely nothing, a burnt fuseable link at the starter? a bad connection, something is causing a open in the circuit like a broken wire, it just sounds like the starter isn’t getting the CCA it needs, or the solenoid isn’t closing to close the connection, so it won’t start, check your connections a the starter, the battery, make sure your connections at the battery are clean, check the connections for ground, check all that jazz, because if something is off, your car won’t start, a starter needs high amps, and poor connections or no connections wont supply any amps!

[Author]

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