Slow Audi A1 Start Traced to Terminal 30 Power Issue

I encountered similar symptoms with my 2019 Audi A3 1.4 TFSI. The slow cranking started intermittently and gradually worsened. After thorough testing, the issue traced back to multiple components in the starting circuit. The main problems were: Corroded battery terminals affecting the power supply, Worn starter motor brushes, Damaged wiring harness near the starter connection The ignition switch tested fine, but the circuit breaker needed replacement due to frequent cycling from the starting attempts. The mechanic found the starter motor was drawing excessive current, which explained the unstable voltage readings at Terminal 30. This turned into a serious repair requiring: 1. Complete starter motor replacement 2. New wiring harness section 3. Battery terminal cleaning and reconditioning 4. Circuit breaker replacement The battery tested good after proper charging, though yours might need evaluation given the mileage. Worth checking the alternator output too, as charging system issues often cause similar symptoms. These electrical starting problems typically worsen quickly if not addressed. Continuing to crank with compromised components risks damaging other parts of the electrical system.

Thanks for sharing that experience with the starting system repair. It sounds very similar to what I am dealing with now. Especially the part about the electrical fault getting worse over time matches my observations. Did the fix solve all your starting problems completely? Would be great to know what you ended up paying for the full repair. Im trying to budget for worst case and best case scenarios before taking it in. Also curious if you have had any voltage drop issues since getting it fixed? My local Audi dealer quoted really high prices so Im exploring independent garage options that specialize in Audi electrical repairs. A proper short circuit diagnosis seems critical based on what you described.

After having the starting system repaired a few months ago, all issues have been completely resolved. The mechanic found the root cause was indeed the Terminal 30 continuous plus connection, which was causing the unstable power supply. The charging system is now working flawlessly with no voltage drops. The total repair came to 290 Euro, which included: Full battery testing and recharge, Cleaning all connection points, Fixing the wiring harness connections, Testing the complete charging system Much more reasonable than initially expected, since replacing the starter motor or alternator wasnt necessary. The fuse box connections were also checked and cleaned as part of the diagnostic process. The key was finding a shop that properly diagnosed the electrical fault instead of just replacing parts. A stable power supply at Terminal 30 is crucial for proper starting performance. The battery tested as heavily discharged but not defective, so reconditioning it solved the problem without needing a full replacement. No starting problems or electrical issues have occurred since the repair. The engine now cranks strongly every time.

I took my car to an independent Audi specialist last week after reading about your experience. The diagnosis matched exactly what you described, the wiring harness had deteriorated near the starter connection causing an unstable power supply. The mechanic found minor corrosion at Terminal 30 and discovered a short circuit in one section of the starting circuit. The total repair came to 340 Euro which covered cleaning all connections, replacing the damaged wiring section, and testing the complete electrical system. The engine now cranks perfectly on first attempt every time. No more voltage drops or slow starting issues. Really glad I addressed it quickly before it led to bigger problems. The specialist shop definitely knew what they were doing with these electrical faults. Much better experience than my previous repair attempts and the cost was reasonable considering the thorough diagnosis and fix. Thanks again for sharing your repair details, it helped me know what to expect and ask about during the service.