A3 Won’t start

[Umar]

Hi guys.

Iv got a 2009 A3 2.0TDi 170 Black Edition.

I haven’t been driving it for 2 months now due to a foot injury.

It’s parked on my drive I do start it every few days so the battery doesn’t die out.

I started it on Tuesday & it fired up fine I let it run 10 mins & switched it off.

Yesterday I went to start it & it wouldn’t start.

I realised the clocks won’t light up & non of the ignition lights will come on.

Its starts up for a second then goes off again.

Any ideas why it’s doing this it was fine.

Cheers.

[cliffcoggin]

The battery is clapped out. Running the engine for ten minutes a few times per week will not compensate for the heavy drain by the starter motor each time it is started. Try a mains powered charger over night, but don't be surprised if it can not restore battery capacity.

[Umar]

1 hour ago, cliffcoggin said:

The battery is clapped out. Running the engine for ten minutes a few times per week will not compensate for the heavy drain by the starter motor each time it is started. Try a mains powered charger over night, but don't be surprised if it can not restore battery capacity.

Really wow I thought by starting it up I was helping it lol

[cliffcoggin]

Starter motors take 200-300 amps so you have been reducing battery capacity each time you started the engine. You should have left the car unused and just run a trickle charge once or twice per month.

[Umar]

On 10/9/2021 at 7:33 PM, cliffcoggin said:

Starter motors take 200-300 amps so you have been reducing battery capacity each time you started the engine. You should have left the car unused and just run a trickle charge once or twice per month.

Ohh ok thanks for the info appreciate it 👍

[cliffcoggin]

How did you resolve the problem? Were you able to save the old battery?

[Umar]

1 hour ago, cliffcoggin said:

How did you resolve the problem? Were you able to save the old battery?

Nah I don’t think so I put some jump leads on it 

left the leads on for 10 mins the clocks & ignition lights came back on but it wouldn’t start.

I’m leaving it as it is for another 4/5 weeks by then my foot should be better I’ll buy a new battery & get it running again. 

[Magnet]

Hello Umar, 

If you do need to buy a new battery - which sounds most likely - then I would strongly advise buying once and wisely. 
Audi usually build with Varta batteries and Varta/Bosch are my choice for replacement batteries. I believe there are now budget variants available from Varta and Bosch, and I certainly only only be interested in their premium variant - with 5 year warranty if possible. 
I now buy batteries on line from specialist suppliers such as Battery Megastore, Tayna etc. I would advise against simply buying a like for like replacement without first checking with the supplier that the battery you currently have is indeed the right one. It’s not out of the question for batteries to be swopped at changes of ownership, so always worth double checking. 
As Cliff says - starting a car now again doesn’t really make sense, since it could take up to 20 mins. running to replace the energy you’ve used it start it from cold. Just put it on charge for half a day now and again - using the correct charger. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Umar]

Ok cheers mate 👍