Alec Currie

Hi all

Strange issue with my 2008 Audi A5 (3.0TDi Quattro) this morning…

I started the engine and noticed straight away that it sounded a bit lumpy. Then I noticed that the info display on the dash was dimming as I accelerated. I stopped at a junction, put the car into neutral and thought “I’ll quickly switch the engine off and back on”.

When I switched the engine off everything went dead – except some warning lights on the dash which remained on, but dim. I tried to restart the engine but it was having none of it. Everything was dead – even the hazard lights wouldn’t go on. About sixty seconds later the speedometer started rattling against the pin for a couple of seconds then I tried the key again and the car restarted.

No warning lights or messages. I don’t *think* it’s running lumpy anymore, but it’s hard to tell because now I’m totally paranoid. Got to work and switched the engine off – it restarted again fine.

Any ideas what happened?

wkhanna

is your battery in good condition?
can you check your codes?

Alec Currie

The battery has always been fine.

I did accidentally put 3 litres of petrol in about a week ago. I topped it up to the brim with diesel and have been topping up with V-Power diesel every time the tank gets down to 3/4. That was 350 miles ago. Has been running fine.

Alec Currie

I don't have a code reader - but I have the car booked in for a service on Tuesday so hopefully they will check then.

wkhanna

Keep us posted, please.
this is a curious issue to me.

Firefighter

Your battery may be fine, but the problem sounds like corrosion on the battery terminals and not making good contact all the time with the battery cables. Or one may be loose and not always making good contact.

wkhanna

Excellent call, firefighter!

oaktreelimb

I would check charging system and battery.