Starting Problem Audi A3

[BarryN]

I have an intermittent problem with my A3. Sometimes the car won't start after I've driven it and left it for a few minutes. When I try to start it again, it can take several attempts to get it going.
It starts first time in the morning though.
Also, sometimes the engine revs up by itself. If I turn the car off and back on again, it usually fixes the problem but sometimes it can be hard to start again.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[GerryB]

hi Barry, do any engine warning lights stay on when you are trying to start the car? It could be you have a faulty sensor of some type. It may be a faulty coolant temprature sensor which thinks the car is cold so overfuels it (a bit like using a choke on an older car) which is why it probably starts ok when cold but not when hot. A trip to the Audi/VW dealer for a check on their diagnostic machine may provide the answer... if you have pockets deep enough!!! Although if there is no engine warning light coming on then it might not register on a diagnostic machine.

[BarryN]

I'm not sure if any warning lights come on. Do you mean every time I start it or just when it won't start?
I'll check and let you know

[GerryB]

does it stay on if it doesn't start or does it ever come on while the car is running?

[BarryN]

I've checked for warning lights over the past few days. There's none at all either while trying to start the car or while driving.

[BarryN]

I have identified the source of the problem - a faulty temp sensor. A new one is on its way today.

A new problem has now emerged. The car sometimes revs up to the red line under braking and won't go back down. If I turn the engine off and start the car up again, it fixes the revving problem but the needles of the rev counter and speedo stay at whatever position they were at when I switched the car off.

I the took the car to my local garage. He then took it to a VW dealer who said that the whole instrument panel needs to be replaced, costing the best part of a grand for a new one. The VW guy said he has seen numerous cases of this happening.