Do this before condemning an ECM! - Diagnosing a no crank on a 2006 Audi A6

Thank you all for tuning in to Super Mario Diagnostics!
Today we have a 2006 Audi A6 with a no crank concern. This videos serves to warn of a potentially unneeded ecm misdiagnosis, which I hope you'll find useful.
I hope you all enjoy, like, share, comment and subscribe!
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[@kirkabrahamson1148]

Awesome work Mario. How these strategies work all depends on the thought process of the engineers and what they deem an appropriate course of action for their design. How can anyone be expected to keep up with that . Impossible. Proper diagnostic process lead you to a possible ecu fault. Powers and grounds good. Inputs good. Usually bad module. This video has armed us with a final test. Cap discharge. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and learnings.

[@dtandfam8100]

Very true. When in doubt, gotta try the Capacitor Discharge route!

[@ThunderbirdRocket]

Well said ! Agreed !!

[@htownblue11]

This is why Mario is gaining clout among diagnosticians and subscribers. He is teaching others proper diagnostic tactics. Guys like Diagnose Dan, Pine Hollow Diagnostics, SMA, Robert Dotterer, and others all approach these issues similarly. Well done as always Mario!

[@gtautomotive22]

Man I ve worked at a VW dealership for about 15 yrs. Every time i went training the intructors told us about cap discharging, it became pretty natural at the dealership doing this all the time, now working on all makes and models i keep forgetting stuff like this. Thanks for sharing.

[@dtandfam8100]

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. Yeah it's a trip how a cap discharge will help out in situations such as this. Happens to me often with Toyotas start n stalls after certain electrical repairs. Thanks again!

[@gregjones8501]

Definitely the world we live in! These cars are difficult to diagnose and repair so we must keep pushing to find and correct the cause of the concerns that we face daily! Thanks for the video Mario!

[@FinalStopMobileAutoTech]

Awesome video mario! I have seen this before multiple times for various components. Its interesting how that strategy will not have an inhibit data pid. Like you said This is the world we live in. Thanks again.

[@alejandrosalazar1897]

Thank you mario on cars never know, thank you for showing all the steps, before condemning the ecm. Amazing work…

[@electrolineservicegreece8267]

Thank you Mario for this video !!! Very nice thinking and diagnostic lesson

[@stevelight17]

Love the way you are all over alldata and the way you use it, thank you for the tips you might not have released you have given on this very powerful resource keep up the good work. I my self had a similar fault on a Ford s max but it wouldn't shut down or stop running, it's crazy the way some of these things work and the clever yet frustrating software that is in play on cars these days

[@jgeorges3061]

MARIO, thanks for awesome information/diagnoses process always learn some thing new from you brother.

[@isalmankhan1]

Great video👍 Love the thought process of chasing down the problem, initially it didn't seem like a bad starter, when that input from DME was not there😉 Thanks for sharing Bro, Stay Safe👍

[@kurtkennedy5370]

Awesome video man! More people need to see this!

[@ThunderbirdRocket]

That is a great lesson ! Thanks for explaining everything so precisely !! I’m learning lots !!! Thanks mate !!!!

[@ganeshnarayan5505]

Great video Mario . Thanks for sharing.

[@gabrielrodriguez522]

Thank you Mario youi gave me some light in a problem like it , never tought a bad starter very good video and very explicit too . Gabriel

[@sooriyanades4339]

Thanks Mario, waiting for more videos .u explained awesome bro.

[@franklynpertuz7669]

Thanks Mario that was great I have a problem similar to it accept my starter works no crank but you gave me an idea ahead meet the right direction thank you so much I'm grateful for it

[@bluedeckelectronics]

Great video ! Thank you for this video !

[@boost351]

Another awesome video thanks for sharing 👍

[@kimmilil]

Same issue. Ecu replaced, battery replaced ,relay under ecu replaced, starter replaced.. PRNDS now all lit up. If I shift it over to + at the D setting the back lit PRNDS goes out. Car still will not start. Beyond stressed out. It's been to 8 different shops including the dealership

[@anthonybryant6069]

Hey bro did you find out what was the issue?

[@codysautodiagnosticsprogra8706]

Nicely done sir.

[@jamesl197999]

Great job, there's always those jobs that may have multiple issues. You don't want to be the one that calls a part, put it in then have to call the customer back saying there's something else going on. Going a step beyond the average mechanic is what separates you from the other 98%. This is what makes a good diagnostician. When you get the hard ones sticking to your good diagnosis approach will leave you to the right path more often then The ones that think I did a starter bypass test confirming starters bad, put a starter in it. They're the ones that will be calling the customer back when they realize there's also something else going on.

[@lowridermig]

Great job bro Thanks for sharing 👍

[@bartscave]

Crazy! Great video.

[@rysacroft]

Thanks Mario, I learned something new!

[@madmike214]

Wow!! Crazy! A starter and a unnecessarily replaced ecm would have fixed this...nice work complete diagnosis!

[@davidweum]

I think my mechanic or mechanic unnecessarily put in a reconditioned and programmed Engine Control Module after new ignition switch where the key goes, and an unnecessary new starter. I'm pretty p**sed!

[@angusalamezie6193]

Always On point

[@yamaha37776]

Great video!!

[@mariohernandez-qq9ed]

Awesome man!

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Hi handsome, good to see on:) Great job!

[@Relle_Banks]

Perfect just happen to me same issue hope to solve with your video as we speak

[@agoodneighborautorepair2176]

👋Sir very nice explanation, blessings

[@elviscarey5270]

awesome job

[@gfccbgjxvhd874]

Super vidéo 👍👌

[@AutoDiag_]

Thank you for video.

[@bismarkrojas9288]

Grande maestro muchas bendiciones

[@devintell7472]

Hey I got q5 2017 s line crank no start had a hole in the bottom of the pan ; got that fixed and so happy that I did I immediately started the car it sad 30 miles I thought it might was wrong since gas leaked but it ran fine for 3 mins and shut off I added 3 gallons and it still want start unless starter fluid is sprayed and it still died 3 secs after that

[@High_Tech_Mountain]

Would you look at that! Learn something new everyday! I figured it would set starter inhibited codes or have a pid of some sort saying starting inhibited. Thanks for sharing brother!

[@fire7765]

Good job

[@masonpugh3637]

Great video thanks my did that to

[@billkollios6086]

hey Mario great work on the diagnostics and the explanation but what is a cab discharge mean ? Cheers

[@mmmadog]

Was having a no start issue on a 2006 a4. I assumed the connection was tight on the ecm and after replacing a relay under the ecm for the fan always coming on I noticed the tab you pull out to release the cable to the ecm was pulled out a little bit. I pushed the tab back in and watched it suck the connector tight again. Starts right up now.

[@PaulMellor-py2gy]

Hi Mario great videos very helpful 👍...tho I'm wondering if you could shed some light on an electrical issue I'm having with a 2007 Audi A3 2.0 TDI quattro...all dash comes on when you turn key but no engine management light no click from starter no communication to ECM through obd port..fans coming on brakes flashing and beeping on cluster...I have tested all fuses and relays to the main relay in engine bay that sends power to ECM isn't going to ground on pin 86 it's staying constant 13 volts along with other pins only the top one is 0v however if I jump both top an bottom pins the engine will crank off the key but no start...glow plug light constantly on...no buzzing from inlet manifold valve or hum from fuel pump...iv also changed the ECM for exactly the same one with same no's and letters and still having same issue 🤔

[@luismarty1685]

Thanks Mario.

[@richardstokes755]

Brilliant work Mario! I am having exactly the same issue on a VW Passat tdi two relays for the stop start system relay R1 and R6. Had a bad starter motor this has been replaced but relay R1 will not get a ground from the ECM I have shorted the contact for now to allow me to use the car but this has obviously generated a fault code and associated dash light flashing. Both relays are getting a live to their coils from fuse F10 and pins 25 and 26 to the ECM are both fine for continuity. Wondered if this cap discharge might help this situation? Thanks for your time.

[@richardstokes755]

New relay and cap discharge has done the trick the ECM is now grounding the relay coil and starting the car! Thanks very much for the tip Mario!

[@stephanevaucelles6378]

thanks for video

[@javiercruzvelasco3957]

I’m currently working on similar Audi with the 2 starter relays. It’s a No crank condition. Steering column unlocks and cluster lights up. I verified s terminal voltage signal. Figured it was a bad starter. I pulled the starter and bench test it and it works. At this point I have already Ordered a new starter but before installing the new starter I rechecked the signal and now I’m not getting the s terminal voltage signal. I’m try the passive discharge and monitor the signal at the ecu. I can feel and hear relay 4 and 6 click. Access start module live data shows park, start signal. Power 15 good. Probably because I’ve had s terminal disconnect and I’ve turned the key on and off to many times it no longer sends that s terminal voltage signal.

[@Lambros_Stefaneas]

Thanks for teach me something new,onemore time.i was wondering , If you had just disconnect the battery ,would this do a cap discharge?I can understand that maybe you had to reset everything after that, but this would be easier than disconnecting the ecu? ps.also ,I want to buy a power probe,and I am confused from the reviews. can you recommend me which one should I go? thanks.

[@jimmorton3009]

GREAT Intro to this Scope, My Friend. Do I get my PICO scope back now ???? HaHa

[@griffith04]

I hate not having any code info on these Euro cars. Just prolongs the diag. Good job.

[@dennisvantoor5380]

hi mate . my Audi S6 C6 v10 sometimes starts and sometimes doesn't , first it said , brake fault. and multiple fault codes. replaces the brake light switch. still same problem. can't figure it out. could it be related to steering wheel problem , after hitting a pothole hard while driving? or a wheel speed sensor? it's weird, sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn't , when it starts , no fault codes, so hard to diagnose. any suggestion please? thank you for your time. Dennis

[@pagepro211]

what is cap discharge and how do you do it?

[@DavidGutierrez-zi4dy]

excellent

[@wilsoncanhetejunior4460]

Oops Mario ... I did a mapping identical to yours but the impression that remains is that the component responsible for the mooring of relays 1 and 2 is not doing the work ... I haven't done an intervention on the ECU yet ... could I be it ... because when I make an external grounding on the reference pins as docking outputs, the vehicle works ... my audi A5 2015 ... could you give me a hint?

[@josemolina9616]

Help me with this question Mario. 2003 audi a6 quattro 2.7 twin turbo no ecm data. Also the instrument panel doesn't show anything when you put the key in the on position. TY

[@WMautoservice]

Hi Mario, sorry for the lack of knowledge. I want to know what is a cap discharge and how to perform it? Is the first time I heard of this. I just started working on cars, your videos are great!

[@verajavi12]

Capacitors are batteries inside module. Completely drain them by disconnecting battery and touching power and ground for a few minutes or leave powers and grounds disconnected for few hours and reconnect everything. Just like resetting your phone.

[@OneLegged-honda-mechanic]

I thought the video was valuable, thanks for sharing! 👍

[@TyroneMaye]

Mario...have you ever come across issue of : 19-gateway data bus " no communication " ? I just changed out motor from my BHK 4L year: 2007 make: Audi model: Q7 V6 3.6L Quattro w/ premium package suv. where the ECM mounts under hood there were two boxes the other box is missing .....which wasn't before...

[@maupin_media]

So if I change the starter out WITHOUT doing a cap discharge, will the car still start?

[@RP-hj2vc]

just today, pcr 2.1 audi a3 1.6 diesel, p056200 system voltage low, p060600 ecm/pcm processor - active fault. after ignition , brake lights ON, NO CLUTCH POSISION SIGNAL, ESP fault on dash, no cranking, - no ground from pin 69, but circuits after relay 100 are at 1.2-3V only. turned out burned element on circuit board of pcm. i have spent one day testing it and could not believe that ecm even with no fault in immo will not let motor to crank even after powering externally those ciruits.

[@joelpz7362]

Thanks for guiding on us thru the process. What model is the Autel?

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

Im608

[@tcifusion4497]

U JUST NEED TO BE CAREFULL AT THOSE AUDI S SIR....DONT ASK ME HOW I KNOW..........ITS A BIG SECRET AND 22 YEARS OF WORKING ON THEM AS WELL AS VW .... LOVE WHATEVER BRINGS FOOD TO THE TABLE.......THANK U FOR ONE MORE VIDEO.....UR KICKING IT.......STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY....

[@Oneupserviceautorepair]

What is that stand you use for your laptop to sit on? I am in need of one for my shop

[@samstwocents6902]

Hey, i know this video is a bit old but ive got almost identical symptoms to this car (except for the starter) on my 08 S6. Can you please describe what you mean by a "cap discharge"? I assume you mean discharging a capacitor but what capacitor specifically? Where is it? Thanks again!

[@cheapers1952]

I wish I knew what the other modules had for codes and which models were they

[@keli449]

Any idea where to purchase an ecm for a 98 Dodge diesel, 24 valve? Can't seem to find an honest facility.. Ty

[@daltoniks]

so the clicking 370 relays are responsible for non start in such case?

[@Bc-um9qx]

What exactly is a cap discharge I have already purchased a new ECU new ECU was functional but now has the same symptoms

[@williamjones1569]

My digital dash is showing 0 miles and a lot of my sensors are going crazy could this be a bad ecm

[@economico2313]

hey love your video. hey where you get replacement ecm plug and play

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

I clone them myself

[@windward2818]

So what do we see with the dashed blue colored box with the two starting relays. We see what is not uncommon with auto wiring diagrams, the pinout and electrical symbols do not match on two identical components (relays). My guess would be the relays are low side drive, which makes the BLK small wire feed relay coil power (fused +12V), and the large BLK wire relay output power (fused +12V) to drive the starter solenoid when both relays are energized. For hands free relay testing you can use something similar to Lisle 69300 Master Relay Test Jump Set with the added modification of soldering female (solder tab) 4mm color coded banana jacks to the signal tabs. 4mm banana jacks (Amazon) are about the same diameter as "Standard" inch banana jacks from Cinch (Digikey), for example, which have a diameter of 0.166 +/- 0.003 inch. With this setup you can now use banana jumpers to monitor signals hands free.

[@jb_bmwrepairlyfe4704]

This is the typical European ‘glitch’ were a battery reset can fix multiple issues! The problem is how to tell the customer how it fixed it without sounding like you’re pull of💩! Good video non the less.

[@FishFind3000]

Just talk fancy. Tell the customer that the ecm needed a power reset and reinitialization. That or talk really technical and explain everything and then they won’t question you.

[@bartscave]

You have to do a cap discharge for 30 minutes?

[@nickayivor8432]

🎶 🎵 brilliant 🎶 🎵 SUBSTANTIAL Super Mario Diagnostics Tutorial great video amazing 👏 Take care and have a great day Super Mario Diagnostics From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

[@omgitskinzee]

I wonder if theres anything in the OE SI about this...

[@TyroneMaye]

when u said a cap discharge ....what were you specifically speaking upon ? is it referred to a capacitor ? thanks for your time an explainning this to me to better understand wha oyu spoke on within your audi video here..

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

Correct

[@TyroneMaye]

@@SuperMarioDiagnostics could your work upon the Audi A6 ECM be applied to my 2007 Audi Q7 ECM with same or similar diagnosis of a no crank no start condition ? just curious as to that for future references...i now know and understand why my 4L Audi Q7 with 3.6L isn't starting i need to change the engine bent valve the crankshaft does not rotate freely without there being binding ....

[@flossyht6632]

my key won't come out and no start before it crashed its flashed for 1 second ecm what could be my issue

[@TyroneMaye]

where is the 2007 Q7 3.6L V6 driver authentication access start authorization found ? My 07 Audi will not start...

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Interesting case study Mario! So why not clear all the codes in the very beginning, reproduce the fault, and see which code trips first? Would that be equivalent to a "cap discharge"?

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

Not in this case. I cleared the codes and reproduced the faults and codes would come right back, right before i disconnected the ecm

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

@@SuperMarioDiagnostics wow crazy. Sometimes these Euro cars need a hard reboot lol

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

So now a follow up question: after the cap discharge that got the relays clicking, did any codes come back since it still had a dead starter?

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics nope lol all codes cleared, just looked at my scan

[@arthurfricchione8119]

@@SuperMarioDiagnostics it’s great when other sharp techs like Ivan at pine hollow diag. comment on the issue. It really helps me learn and I’m sure it helps others. I’ve followed both of you for sometime. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. 😊

[@petar443]

Thank you Mario for sharing this interesting diagnosis. I have one question. Can you just disconnect either the ECM or just the battery and wait for a couple of hours for the same effect of discharge ? Or is it 100% needed to do a capacitor discharge by connecting a test lamp in series with battery terminals ? I ask because capacitor discharge sounds too dangerous 🍻 PS : Tell you one thing .. i read the comments and feel sorry for the "awQng89" guy ..this guy is crazy.. mayby some day he'll comment on a Bernie Thompson video and say to him he doesn't have good diagnostic strategy 😂 😂 😂 ..On the other hand feel great that Ivan from "Pine hollow diagnostics" throws comments too..But most important be healthy and keep up the good vids man. Maybe do a shortie vid about capacitor discharge etc.not much stuff on this subject. 🤷

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

You can disconnect the battery terminals and hold the brake pedal for a while There will always be some keyboard warrior saying you should've could've done this and that. And I just filmed a video showing how that would have burned him in another no crank diagnosis lol

[@robbflynn4325]

What's a cap discharge?

[@joelcarrera6366]

Podrias hacer un caso de estudio en español amigo te lo agradecería mucho entiendo un poco de ingles pero no tanto

[@economico2313]

i have a 2010 sentra sr. some mentioned flagship one

[@rival3825]

Can you show how to remove the actual ECU

[@jamesphalole1000]

Nice

[@cherrybaby4940]

How do you discharge the ecm? You didn't show us that

[@adanfarias8594]

mario gracias por compartir saludos sube videos en español gracias

[@abditatar76]

Hello Super Mario, you have a solution please?

[@economico2313]

you know any place here in florida i can get one? thank you

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

I’m in Ft. Lauderdale, are you nearby?

[@andytelajr6256]

What is a cap discharge

[@ericalinetteruiz-roman5134]

Hi came accross your videos i have an audi 2007 3.2 quattro my audi wont start at all only thing it will show in the dash is mileages an date an time an radio turns on what could cause for my audi not to start my so call husband he a mechanic but he too lazy to check it out please let me know i have kids an my mother with me need to turn back on my car for appointment thank you

[@loverichardson9954]

Hey there, got an AUK 3.2 A6. I did some searching and my ignition switch is fine. And key is recognised. Everything seems to be fine except for ”Engine control unit autorized, value: No” Do you think a cap discharge will solve this?

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

Doubt it, something is preventing the ecm from proceeding with the cranking sequence

[@loverichardson9954]

@@SuperMarioDiagnostics any idea what could be preventing it?

[@loverichardson9954]

@@SuperMarioDiagnostics i reread my org message and i realise i was very unclear. Basically when i turn the key, the steering lock releases, but i get no dash lights nor ignition. And then checked codes and modules. ECU authorized value no. Is it a steering coloumn issue or cap discharge o something else?

[@richardcranium5839]

back in he old days you could take a jumper wire to the sollenoid and prove a bad starter outright. now you first have to find them. even then you dont just jump things out. never know what you might fry. this is a study in frustration and over engineering. making it worse the amount of technical information needed seems ever lacking. good one for everyone to "heads up"

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

Even better, the solenoid command wire is tucked right behind the engine mount 😆 Thanks Richard!

[@m.t.v.7934]

I have an issue with a 2007 Mazda 6. My brother bought a cheap non running car for $400, seller stated in needed a new battery. Come to find out they hooked the jumper cables up backwards and killed the battery and blew the main 120A fuse. I replaced that and the battery and checked all the fuses and relays, only other fuse that was blown was a 10A for TCM I think it was called. Anyways I took starter out and tested it and that was good. The car is a no crank and no start. I noticed today after I swapped that 10A fuse that the anit-theft light is blinking real fast when you turn the key and then it slows down and blinks 5X 3 second pause blinks 1X - then this just repeats for about 2 minutes. Now does anyone know what the issue could be? Is it the immobilizer, or ignition switch? Or does the blinking light mean something else? Thanks to ANYONE who reads this and can assist.

[@ThinkGrowSucceed]

Hi, did you ever resolve?

[@m.t.v.7934]

@@ThinkGrowSucceed Yea, my brother was using the wrong key fob, the car came with 2 key fob's but only one will start the car.

[@drvieira6370]

Good nigth. Friend, my help. You haver the diagrams the Audi A6 Avant 4F 2006 3.0 V6, to send me?

[@lusakomichael157]

HEY MARIO WHAT TYPE OF CAMERA ARE YOU USING PLEASE?

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

Sony ax700

[@fredsalter1915]

Why does the Audi have two starter relays in series???

[@richardstokes755]

My VW has two relays in series for the stop start system Fred.

[@patelvivek4888]

Ohhh man it was just unbelievable. At least There should be some code to indicate that heee I will not start pls check me....

[@chestermgray1402]

I Want That Scanner! Wanna buy 1. Watz The Name?

[@aldenmolina2054]

Hey Mario where you got your shop located?

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

Miami FL

[@aldenmolina2054]

@@SuperMarioDiagnostics nice 👍🏻... wish you where in Texas... I have a 2005 audi a6 with access start control module problem