Leaderboard

Update. It has been 8 days since I swapped out the suspect cap in the cluster. The problem has not occurred since I did so. So it looks like that was the problem. This is what I conclude. The cap in the cluster was faulty resulting in intermittent charging. When it failed to charge there was no voltage to the stepper motor of the fuel gauge circuit. So as far as the ECU was concerned there was no fuel in the tank resulting in it disabling the fuel pump causing the non start condition. I don't have any confirmation of this but it makes logical sense since the pump is mechanical and lubricated by the diesel fuel that flows through it. Disabling the pump when there is no fuel in teh tank is protecting it from damage. Bottom line: If you get this kind of symptom put the cluster circuitry on the to do list.

Here is a link issued by Audi to work out if your car is affected by the emissions recall https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/emissions/check-your-car.html