Audi A3 Problem

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Joined
22 Oct 2012
Posts
38
Location
Manchester
I wondered if you guys could help diagnose a problem I am having with my 2000 Audi A3 1.8 (Typ 8L, V5 engine).

About six weeks ago the car failed to start; completely dead. I feared it was the alternator but it turns out someone had knocked the rear interior light on and, over the five days we didn’t use it, it had drained the battery.

I now have similar symptoms but after jump starting the car (three times) and driving around for over thirty minutes a time, it doesn’t seem to have solved the problem.

Symptoms:
- Car fails to start off battery, only my portable Halfords jump-start power pack thing I keep in the boot
- Once started it idles at ~1000RPM (sporadically)
- Both RPM and speedometer dials drop to zero whilst driving (sporadically)
- ABS light comes on (sporadically)
- Engine sounds like it is misfiring (a faint, deep, popping or bubbling noise coming from the exhaust)

It was serviced 6 months/2000 Miles ago (new oil, plugs, filters, cleaned throttle body). I did about 120 miles at the weekend and the car didn’t show any signs of trouble.

Before I call the garage I thought I’d ask you guys. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

--

Edit: Battery was replaced in November.
 
Last edited:
Thanks, I suspected that might be the case.

The battery was replaced in November, but as you say… the deep discharge might have killed it.
 
Thanks for all the input.

I’m going to pick up my multimeter from work tomorrow and see what’s going on. I’ll keep you posted.
 
I did a test with the multimeter this evening. Here are the results:

- Prior to starting the engine the reading was ~8v
- After starting the engine the reading was ~13.5v
- When I turned on the lights, the reading was ~12.5v
- After I turned off the engine, the reading dropped back below 12v

Am I right in saying that this indicates a fault with the battery?
 
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