Why does my car start then die when i let go of the key?

SOURCE: My audi80 cabriolet wont start.

Hi anilroop,
Your problem seems to be related to the power connections to the management computer system system..... Get yourself a multi meter and check the battery voltage first....have you replaced the battery?

Sometimes when a vehicle has stood for a long time, oxidization can build up between the battery towers and the terminals....this can cause intermittent faults, such as you're describing....but it's unlikely!....If you find that thats all ok, trace through the cables that connect to the computer....

......There will be an ignition connection....
......A battery connection, which should always have power, even with ignition off.....
.....There will be starter signal and ignition signal.....

.......Check the ground connections and then, and this is going to take time....trace through all the cables from each of the sensors and the controlled units....Make sure that the pump is getting power and that power is getting through to the ignition....

This is a very lengthy topic and I believe it may be a lot easier to do it in stages.....

This is the end of the first stage.....keep in touch and I'll give all the help that I can.....

Best regards Johngee10

SOURCE: audi a4 1.8 avant 1997

my 97 a4 would start and then die, i had it diagnosed as the immobiliser in the dashboard costing about £600 !!! The battery went flat trying to start it so i took it off the car and charged it up, when i put it back on the car before i took it to get fixed i thought i would try it 1 more time and "hey presto" it started and ran and has not missed a beat since ! That was 2 years ago, it was like the computer had re-set itself with the battery removed for charging, i hope this may be of some help.

SOURCE: 2004 Audi A4 3L won't start

P0130 is 02 sensor bank 1 and P0150 is 02 sensor bank 2.

SOURCE: 1995 AUDI 90 CS - Hard to start... spark & fuel OK

Have you tried replacing the starter? I know starters can go bad if the car is not started or run for a long time.

I am getting the same car, with the same issue.. it sat for 2 yrs and won't start.

My mechanic told me it is probably a starter.

David Parker

• 333 Answers
• Posted on Aug 12, 2009

SOURCE: 2002 start-up problem

Hi there again

Sorry to hear you are still having problems.If you are going to change the pump I would certainly not recommend you do it yourself.If it is the V4 motor I am thinking of, you would need to get to it by removing the rear seat ,remove access panel , and pretty much play around in the gas for an hour or so to get it off in the first place.

What I did find was this on the net on a recall by Audi to replace 2002/03 model fuel pumps as noted below.

RE: 2002 Audi A4 Fuel Pump Change:


I just had my fuel pump changed out by the dealer. Here is what the letter said-

"Safety Recall JL 2003 year Audi A4 quattro with 1.8L Turbo or 3.0L engine and 2003 Model year Audi A6 with 3.0L engine"
The fuel pump on some affected vehicles may contain a carbon brush set that is susceptible to premature wear.

On invoice it says-

JL12 Install fuel delivery unit and sealing washer.
1 8E0-919-133-G Washer
1 8E0-906-087-P Fuel Pump

No charge for unit or install. Just call them up and give the vin number to see if your car is affected. On the other note of your code error '1&3 misfire',try and have it re-set (it might be an old error)and see if it comes back. Hope this helps ,and I will research your problem further with pleasure if need more help.