Hi looking for some help/advice regarding my b7 pd140 BRE.

I've owned for around 7 months and has always had a start issue, original warm start issue but now the weather has been cold it's started playing up all the time 

It's like the car doesn't even turn over fully and around 3 attempts are needed before it fires up.

Battery is only 4ish months old and it's a full service history including cam belt a couple of years ago.

I have glow plugs ready to swap but I just can't see it being a glow plug issue seen as warm starts are also problematic.

I'm wondering whether it's either starter motor, crank/camshaft sensor, or a fuel issue. Car runs spot on otherwise.

Mileage is 146k

 

 

Thanks 🙏 

Slow cranking like that usually indicates a fault in the battery, the solenoid or the starter motor. That the problem is worse in cold weather suggests the battery is weak or not being properly charged. In your position I'd get the battery tested as a first step, before looking elsewhere.

Did you get the new battery coded to the car when it was fitted?

@cliffcoggin

Hi I looked on vcds and voltage is all fine when cranking but rmp is not, it tried to crank at 46 rmp, I didn't think battery needed to be coded on these? Thanks 👍 

Edited February 11Feb 11 by Teecee

1 hour ago, Teecee said:

I didn't think battery needed to be coded on these? 

I believe all Audis for the last 18 or 19 years needed battery coding. Certainly my 2007 A3 did.

Cliffs right 2007 onwards the battery needs coding. 

Could it be a glow plug issue? 

1 hour ago, cliffcoggin said:

I believe all Audis for the last 18 or 19 years needed battery coding. Certainly my 2007 A3 did.

 

1 hour ago, Steve Q said:

Cliffs right 2007 onwards the battery needs coding. 

Could it be a glow plug issue? 

Right I'll definitely look into that, I've got a mate coming tomorrow to check over the grounds ect.

I'll change the glow plugs as no harm in trying. Thanks I'll keep u updated!

See this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFK0JPs6aO0

 

On 2/11/2026 at 2:58 PM, cliffcoggin said:

Slow cranking like that usually indicates a fault in the battery, the solenoid or the starter motor. That the problem is worse in cold weather suggests the battery is weak or not being properly charged. In your position I'd get the battery tested as a first step, before looking elsewhere.

Did you get the new battery coded to the car when it was fitted?

 

On 2/11/2026 at 9:44 PM, Steve Q said:

Cliffs right 2007 onwards the battery needs coding. 

Could it be a glow plug issue? 

 

Hi guys update. So replaced Glow plugs to no avail, then checked all grounds and also wiring to the starter. We found that the connector and a few wires were corroded so got them repaired.

The issue improved so knew we were on the right track, double checked wiring and all was ok. Decided to remove the actual starter and the gear was worn! Replaced the starter today, finally fixing the issue!!

I'm surprised the gear was worn to be honest, I didn't think that was an issue with it being a modern car. It's a pre engaged unit so shouldn't be wearing? I don't know.

Thanks for your help anyways! Appreciate it 🙂

Thanks for letting us know.