2012, A3, 1.4 tfsi 8v. Only  On initial cold start, 9 times out of 10, my car makes an odd whine/ whirring sound immediately following the engine firing this last for a second only( sods law it didn’t do it as I prepared to record it this morning) possibly the starter  running on after the engine has fired?  This does not occur on subsequent starts after initial cold start, even imefialty after switching the engine off and starting it for a second time. Also, when this occurs the engine revs are at 1200rpm! if an attempt is made to drive  in this state, there is hesitation in acceleration  and a slight turbo whine can be heard. This lasts for around a minute before revs drop to their usual  750rpm. The Car runs fine at this point. 

If the engine is immediately switched off and restarted after the initial cold start issue,  revs are at 750ish and the car performs normally. 

Unsure if the two issues are connected? 

Obviously, there is some kind of cold start system which I think should elevate the rpm on a cold engine!? but as said, when the idle is at 1200 rpm progress is poor. 
 

any ideas fellas? P

Edited August 7, 20241 yr by enc

Possibly the alternator belt is slipping.

19 hours ago, cliffcoggin said:

Possibly the alternator belt is slipping.

Hmm, not that kind of sound cliff. I’m trying to capture the audio and I’ll post here. 

On 8/7/2024 at 10:50 AM, enc said:

2012, A3, 1.4 tfsi 8v. Only  On initial cold start, 9 times out of 10, my car makes an odd whine/ whirring sound immediately following the engine firing this last for a second only( sods law it didn’t do it as I prepared to record it this morning) possibly the starter  running on after the engine has fired?  This does not occur on subsequent starts after initial cold start, even imefialty after switching the engine off and starting it for a second time. Also, when this occurs the engine revs are at 1200rpm! if an attempt is made to drive  in this state, there is hesitation in acceleration  and a slight turbo whine can be heard. This lasts for around a minute before revs drop to their usual  750rpm. The Car runs fine at this point. 

If the engine is immediately switched off and restarted after the initial cold start issue,  revs are at 750ish and the car performs normally. 

Unsure if the two issues are connected? 

Obviously, there is some kind of cold start system which I think should elevate the rpm on a cold engine!? but as said, when the idle is at 1200 rpm progress is poor. 
 

any ideas fellas? P

Hi ENC did you get this sorted mine does exactly the same

The sound ? Or the other issue? What engine is yours? 
 

Morning Ian

Thanks for your reply

2014, A3, 1.4 tfsi 8v. The like over running / whirr of sounds like starter motor on cold start

Well mines still doing it. It hasnt got any worse.
theres a YouTuber (link below) and his car appears to do it also ; heard in a couple of his videos) I’m not saying it’s normal but it seems to be common. Let us know if you get it sorted.  
 

 

Edited April 28, 20251 yr by enc

Mine just seems to over run on starter motor, prob 2 secs after engine fires. Seen others saying it's as starter motor wears the engagement onto the fly wheel doesn't release and withdraw as quick as it should, which sounds like makes sense. Mentions recondition or replace starter just wanted to see if you got yours sorted as either way over £150 if a simple fix possible

29 minutes ago, enc said:

Well mines still doing it. It hasnt got any worse.
theres a YouTuber (link below) and his car appears to do it also ; heard in a couple of his videos) I’m not saying it’s normal but it seems to be common. Let us know if you get it sorted.  
 

 

That video is a blown turbo like whistles or whirrs when you rev it, engine management light on and losing oil, I have none of those symptoms. I have exact match to your first post. No worries if you didn't get to the bottom of it mate, thanks for your message though

Sorry for the confusion, but I was just pointing you in the direction of the dudes channel, nothing to do with the noises 😊 he has some great content on our car model. 

Edited April 28, 20251 yr by enc

Got you, thanks mate, thought you meant the noise was turbo related, sorry.

Did anyone have a look at yours for a 2nd opinion etc?

Lol looks like I've watched one of his videos before on how to fix the fuel flap sticking, another common one 😂

https://youtu.be/3204cavV4iM?si=_ccNMfSZmmE6PzNE

3 hours ago, Chris777 said:

Got you, thanks mate, thought you meant the noise was turbo related, sorry.

Did anyone have a look at yours for a 2nd opinion etc?

No. It hasn’t developed so il play it by ear. My old mk4  golf used to do a similar thing … went on for  years 🤔😂

Edited April 28, 20251 yr by enc

 

 

Short clip with noise 

 

Edited April 30, 20251 yr by enc