Formula starts then immediately dies

**kensz28** · 11-16-2009, 06:26 PM

Hey guys and girls. Got a puzzler for ya. I realize it's nearly impossible to diagnose a car over the internet but I hope someone can take a crack at it for me. My buddy's 96 formula A4 is all stock with 115k mi. I installed a new opti/plugs/wires in the spring of 09. I also installed new ignition module and coil in the summer of this year. It has a slight bump in the idle occasionally at a stop but I felt that could be an injector. Anyway, after work today, he started it up and it croaked right away. It does have a faulty ignition switch that only will unlock the wheel after you start it with the remote start. It does NOT start with the key. This has been that way for a few months. It also would not stop cranking after a few tries with the remote start. Anyway, I told him I had no clue and to call for a ride. I do know my way around LT1 cars as I do have one and I have rebuilt my engine. Runs great too. This is beyond me. Fuel pump? oil pressure switch? W T Heck? I have a new opti harness wire ordered since the original won't stay plugged in and that has caused it to die a few times but it starts right up every time. Today it started and I was able to rev it to about 4500-5000rpm and that maybe lasted 2 seconds. I got nothin. Any help is greatly appreciated.....

**346ci** · 11-16-2009, 10:34 PM

I would start by fixing the ignition switch problem, that can cause lots of odd problems. If problems still persist I would take a look at that remote start system.

**Smittro** · 11-17-2009, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by kensz28

Hey guys and girls. Got a puzzler for ya. I realize it's nearly impossible to diagnose a car over the internet but I hope someone can take a crack at it for me. My buddy's 96 formula A4 is all stock with 115k mi. I installed a new opti/plugs/wires in the spring of 09. I also installed new ignition module and coil in the summer of this year. It has a slight bump in the idle occasionally at a stop but I felt that could be an injector. Anyway, after work today, he started it up and it croaked right away. It does have a faulty ignition switch that only will unlock the wheel after you start it with the remote start. It does NOT start with the key. This has been that way for a few months. It also would not stop cranking after a few tries with the remote start. Anyway, I told him I had no clue and to call for a ride. I do know my way around LT1 cars as I do have one and I have rebuilt my engine. Runs great too. This is beyond me. Fuel pump? oil pressure switch? W T Heck? I have a new opti harness wire ordered since the original won't stay plugged in and that has caused it to die a few times but it starts right up every time. Today it started and I was able to rev it to about 4500-5000rpm and that maybe lasted 2 seconds. I got nothin. Any help is greatly appreciated.....

Possibly the wrong resistor in the key

.. Or someone made a copy of the original key (blanks from a hardware store don't come with resistors in them).

. As stated, get the ignition issue straitened out first then go from there.