Hi guys new to this forum any help would be appreciated  got an issue developed on my a3 2008 1.9tdi manual . Got in the car after a walk clucth down turned the key all normal light on all good turn the key no crank  whatsoever no attempt  to start no clicking just dead suspected  clutch switch changed this still no luck tested all earth grounds etc all good all fuses good relay seems good so suspected  maybe starter motor issue got motor off bench tested and the starter spins and the pinion moves out but doesn't return im wondering of maybe there is an issue with the bendrix  or maybe the solnoid my main question is if the motor spins when off the motor surely I should have the same thing happen when the motor is on the car but I get nothing no crank attempt  at all im wondering if anybody know if the faulty with the suspected solnoid would cause some sort of load drop when cranking the key due to more load when its on the car than on the bench or do I have maybe an ignition switch issue the car will also bump start and run normal when fired up that makes me belive its not an immobilizer  issue any opinions  would be great as I am scratching my head at min hahaha thanks guys Scott 

Get a test lamp or multimeter onto the starter solenoid pos terminal and see if it lights up when someone in the car tries to start it. If it lights up something is wrong with the starter, if it doesn't something is wrong with the starter circuit.

The obvious culprit is the battery so get it tested before doing anything else. Winter weather always reveals weak batteries.

1 hour ago, TrevorG said:

Get a test lamp or multimeter onto the starter solenoid pos terminal and see if it lights up when someone in the car tries to start it. If it lights up something is wrong with the starter, if it doesn't something is wrong with the starter circuit.

Thanks Trevor I will give that a go thanks for the reply 👍 

1 hour ago, cliffcoggin said:

The obvious culprit is the battery so get it tested before doing anything else. Winter weather always reveals weak batteries.

Thanks cliff had the battery checked and all seems fine with it 

Hi just an update still scratching my head iv got a new starter motor on the car and new clutch sensor and still having the same issue im trying to find out we're the starter relay is on this car its not easy to find online iv added some photos of the relay rail under steering colum and cant figure out if any of these are the starter relay I only have one relay under the hood fuse board and this after research I think could be wrong Is glowplug relay labeled 100 on the relay the only other relays I can find on the car is the ones pictured and cant find from research which one os the starter relay if any lol thanks guys 

Have you tested the relay as Trevor suggested?

Hi yes I tested that and the light did not light up when my mate turned the key so  points towards a fault in the starter circuit so was going to start with the simplest  first and check the relays but can't seem locate them and have no legend to point anything out I changed the starter just as precaution  because when I bench tested it the spline didn't always return back in it was intermittent thanks again for your reply 

Hi guys just like to say Thank-you for the help provided I have finally resolved  the issue I bought a relay tester and after putting relay 100 from board under bonnet turns out this was the culprit changed this car starts first crank happy days thanks again guys 

 

Thanks for letting us know.

Anytime guys thanks for your help 🙏