S5 NA, I turn the key to acc, and I get power, lights, etc. Clutch in, go to start and all I get is a whirr. No crank, no click, but I have power. Why is this? I really don't want to pop-start this thing.

 

Your starter, man... it's not engaging the flywheel

 

don't overthink things, also don't be so lazy that you need people to hold your hand. start with the basics, go from there. you've got power, follow the power to the starter, make sure its getting there. if it is, make sure the starter is good(or in this case, bad). Replace starter if needed.

 

Probably your starter as stated abovve but also check your voltage meter in the gauge cluster and make sure it isn't bottoming out when you try to start it.happened to me in my jeep and i thought it was the starter but i simply charged the battery and boom it ran.

 

Jack up car. Unbolt starter. Take starter to advance auto/auto zone/napa. Say: "Please test my starter." Commence starter test.....Starter bad/good. Install new/old starter..................Profit.

 

I did a bit of reading after I posted this in a fit of frustration. First thing I'm looking at is that and the interlock switch. Sorry for my impatience. It did this right after I blew the rubber clutch hose and it had to sit for a day so I could replace it.

 

could just be the starter solenoid. but if the starter is older than you know may as well replace it if it fails the solenoid bench test.

 

Took it off today during my lunch break and tested it eight times on my bench tester. Oddly enough, I do work at a vatozone. Passed well within spec each time. Even once it was a bit warm to the touch. When I got home from work tonight, I sat in my driveway after shutting off to see if it would fail. I just bumped the key and it started no problem.

Tomorrow's lunch break, I'll break out the multimeter and poke at it, after a bit more reading and input from you guys. satch has some good info in a few other posts I've seen, so I may start there.

 

check the starter relay, and the clutch engage switch by the pedal. break it down into pieces... basic trouble shooting. good luck, i bet its going to be something stupid and easy.