Where the Audi A4 Starter Is Located

The starter on most Audi A4 models is mounted low on the engine, typically on the transmission bell housing area, on the side of the engine block where the engine meets the gearbox. Its exact position can vary slightly by model year and engine type, but it is generally accessed from underneath the car, close to where the engine and transmission are bolted together.

Understanding the Starter’s Role in the Audi A4

The question of where the Audi A4 starter is located usually arises when owners face starting problems, hear clicking noises, or plan repairs. The starter is an electric motor that engages with the engine’s flywheel or flexplate to crank the engine during start-up. Knowing its location helps with troubleshooting, inspection, and, for some owners, do‑it‑yourself replacement.

General Location of the Starter on an Audi A4

Across the mainstream generations of the Audi A4 (B5, B6, B7, B8, and B9), the starter is consistently positioned near the point where the transmission attaches to the engine. This area, often called the transmission bell housing, is where the flywheel or flexplate sits—exactly what the starter motor must engage.

Typical Position on Longitudinal Engines

On the Audi A4, the engine is mounted longitudinally (front to back), and the transmission is directly behind it. This layout places the starter motor on the side of the engine-transmission assembly, usually low in the engine bay and closer to the firewall than to the front bumper.

The key characteristics of the starter’s typical position on an Audi A4 can be summarized as follows:

• It is attached to the transmission bell housing, where the engine and gearbox connect.
• The unit sits low down, often below the intake manifold level and above or near the front subframe.
• It is usually best accessed from underneath the vehicle, after safely raising and supporting the car.
• It is secured with a small number of large bolts that pass through the bell housing into the engine block.
• It has a thick positive battery cable and a smaller signal wire connected at the rear of the motor.

Taken together, these points show that while minor details can change by engine code or transmission type, the Audi A4 starter consistently sits near the flywheel area, low on the driveline, and closely tied to the bell housing assembly.

Location by Generation and Engine Type

Although the overall position remains similar, some differences exist between generations and engines. These differences influence how easily the starter can be seen or reached.

B5 A4 (mid‑1990s to early 2000s)

The B5 Audi A4 (1994–2001 in most markets) uses a longitudinal layout for both the 1.8T and V6 engines. The starter is bolted to the transmission bell housing on the driver’s side (left-hand drive markets), roughly in the lower rear section of the engine bay.

Key points for the B5 layout include:

• Starter is located low and to one side of the bell housing, toward the firewall.
• Access usually requires going under the car and may involve removing underbody splash shields.
• On V6 models, intake and exhaust routing can restrict top access, pushing most work to undercar access.
• Power steering and other lines may run near the starter, requiring careful handling.
• Corrosion on mounting bolts can be more common on older B5 models, complicating removal.

For B5 owners, this means that while the starter sits in a familiar bell-housing location, age-related wear and tighter clearances around the V6 configurations can make access more labor-intensive.

B6/B7 A4 (early to late 2000s)

The B6 (circa 2001–2005) and B7 (circa 2005–2008) generations continue the same drivetrain orientation, with widely used 1.8T, 2.0T, and 3.0 V6 engines. In these models, the starter remains mounted on the transmission bell housing, close to the firewall.

On B6/B7 cars, you can generally expect the following:

• Starter is located low, towards the rear of the engine bay, near where the engine meets the gearbox.
• Access is usually from below, with the car safely raised on stands or a lift.
• Removal may require disconnecting or moving nearby wiring looms or heat shields.
• On quattro (all‑wheel‑drive) models, the front driveshafts and exhaust routing can affect reach.
• The visual cue is a cylindrical motor with a smaller solenoid body attached, plus a heavy-gauge cable from the battery.

For many DIY owners of B6 and B7 A4s, this consistent bell-housing placement, combined with modern underbody covers, means that identifying and reaching the starter is straightforward but may still demand patience and good lighting.

B8 A4 (late 2000s to mid‑2010s)

The B8 (around 2008–2015, depending on market) introduced updated platforms and engines, most notably the 2.0 TFSI. However, Audi kept the longitudinal layout, so the starter’s basic location did not radically change.

On B8 A4 models, the starter shows these typical traits:

• It is again fixed to the transmission bell housing at the rear of the engine.
• It sits low in the bay, often partially concealed by plastic splash shields underneath.
• Most access is still from beneath, though some engine-bay access to wiring is possible from above.
• On automatic and S tronic gearboxes, additional wiring and cooler lines may be nearby.
• Turbo and exhaust plumbing can run close to the area, so heat shielding is common around the starter region.

These details confirm that even with newer technology and slightly different packaging, the B8 A4 starter remains in roughly the same bell-housing location, and the main challenge is workspace, not finding the unit itself.

B9 A4 (mid‑2010s to present)

The B9 A4 (from about 2016 onward) continues the use of a longitudinal engine and advanced automatic and dual‑clutch transmissions. The starter location still centers around the bell housing area, but packaging is tighter, and hybrid‑style systems can change the starting hardware on certain variants.

For the mainstream petrol and diesel B9 A4 models, the starter generally:

• Mounts to the transmission bell housing near the rear lower part of the engine.
• Is accessed primarily from underneath, after removing engine and undertray covers.
• Is often partially obscured by modern NVH (noise and vibration) covers and wiring looms.
• Has integrated power and control wiring that may be routed tightly through cable channels.
• Can coexist with mild‑hybrid components in some variants, where an alternator‑starter or belt‑starter generator may supplement or modify conventional starter duties.

On the B9, the overall bell‑housing placement remains familiar, but owners may encounter more complexity in covers and cables, especially on higher-spec or electrified trims.

How to Visually Identify the Starter

Even once you know the general area, visually confirming the starter can be challenging in a crowded engine bay. Recognizing its distinct shape and connections helps avoid confusion with other components such as alternators or AC compressors.

Key identifiers that help you spot the starter on an Audi A4 include:

• A compact, cylindrical electric motor body, usually mounted horizontally.
• A smaller cylindrical or boxy solenoid attached to the side of the motor.
• One very thick cable coming directly from the battery or main power distribution point.
• A smaller signal or control wire attached to a separate terminal on the solenoid.
• Location at the junction where the engine connects to the transmission, rather than on accessory belts at the front.

Using these visual cues together allows owners and technicians to confidently distinguish the starter from other components, especially when only a partial view is available from under the car.

Access Considerations and Safety

Knowing where the starter is does not necessarily mean it is easy to reach. The Audi A4’s compact, layered design often requires careful planning and safety precautions before attempting any work on the starter.

Typical access and safety considerations when working around the starter on an Audi A4 include:

• Always disconnect the negative battery terminal before touching starter wiring to avoid shocks or shorts.
• Raise the vehicle securely with quality jack stands or use a lift; never rely on a jack alone.
• Remove any underbody splash shields or covers that block access to the bell-housing area.
• Use appropriate extensions and swivel sockets to reach mounting bolts in tight spaces.
• Record or photograph wiring connections before removal to ensure correct reinstallation.

Following these guidelines ensures that once you’ve located the starter, you can work on or around it with minimal risk and a reduced chance of damaging sensitive wiring or nearby components.

When Location Matters: Common Symptoms and Checks

Understanding where the starter sits helps when tracking down symptoms such as no‑crank conditions, intermittent starting, or unusual noises. It guides you toward the right area for listening, visual checks, or voltage testing.

Common situations where knowing the starter’s location on an Audi A4 is useful include:

• Diagnosing a click-no-crank condition by listening near the bell housing while a helper turns the key.
• Inspecting wiring and terminals for corrosion, looseness, or heat damage in the starter region.
• Checking for oil leaks dripping onto the starter from valve covers or rear main seals, which can shorten starter life.
• Testing voltage at the large and small terminals with a multimeter while accessing the unit from below.
• Planning labor time and tool requirements before attempting a DIY starter removal or replacement.

In each case, familiarity with the starter’s exact area lets owners and technicians go straight to the likely source of trouble instead of searching blindly around the engine bay.

Summary

On the Audi A4, the starter is almost always mounted low on the engine at the transmission bell housing—the junction where the engine and gearbox meet—most often reached from underneath the vehicle. While specific angles and access points differ slightly among generations (B5 through B9) and engine types, the core location stays the same: close to the flywheel or flexplate, on the side of the engine block toward the firewall. Recognizing its cylindrical motor shape, attached solenoid, and heavy power cable, and approaching it with proper safety, allows owners to locate, inspect, and service the starter with greater confidence.

Where is the starter motor on the Audi A4?

It’s nestled underneath the passenger-side engine mount, blocked from above by the turbocharger, exhaust piping, and heat shielding, from below by the front subframe, and in front by the air conditioning compressor.

Where is the starter located?

The starter is an electric motor typically located on the back of the engine, near where the engine connects to the transmission. It is situated to engage with the engine’s flywheel or the transmission’s flex plate. Its exact position can vary depending on the vehicle’s design, such as the difference between front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive layouts.
 
This video shows the location of the starter in a car’s engine: 54sEricTheCarGuyYouTube · Sep 25, 2011

• Front-wheel-drive vehicles: The starter is often found between the engine and transmission, typically below the left cylinder bank on the driver’s side. 
• Rear-wheel-drive vehicles: The starter is commonly positioned on the passenger side, under the exhaust manifold. 
• General rule: A helpful way to find the starter is to follow the positive (red) battery cable, as it leads directly to the starter motor. 

You can watch this video to learn an easy way to find the starter by following the positive battery cable: 39sSell Those Flipping CarsYouTube · Sep 3, 2025

How much does it cost to replace the starter on an Audi A4?

The cost to replace an Audi A4 starter can range significantly, from around $1,400 to over $3,600, depending on the model year, specific engine, and labor rates. Newer models and those with more complex engines like the 2.0L Turbo often fall in the lower to mid-range of this estimate, while older models with a V6 engine might be in the higher end. 
This video explains what to expect when replacing an Audi A4 starter: 1mDepreciation NationYouTube · Nov 23, 2020
Cost breakdown

• Parts: A new starter motor for an Audi A4 can cost anywhere from approximately $180 to over $350 or more. 
• Labor: The cost of labor is a major factor, and mechanics’ rates vary by location. Some older models may require removing the engine to access the starter, which can significantly increase labor time and costs. 

Factors that influence the total cost

• Model Year and Engine: A 2006 Audi A4 with a 2.0L Turbo engine might cost less than a 1996 model with a V6 engine to replace the starter. 
• Labor Rates: The hourly rate of the repair shop or dealership will impact the final price. 
• Starter Type: The cost of a new, remanufactured, or rebuilt starter will differ. A remanufactured starter is often a good option that balances cost and reliability. 

How to estimate your cost

• Use an online estimator: Websites like YourMechanic can provide an estimate based on your car’s specific year and model.
• Contact a mechanic: Get quotes from a few local mechanics or dealerships to compare prices. Make sure to specify the make, model, and year of your Audi A4 to get an accurate estimate. 

Where is the starter on an Audi?

And I push and that gives me the leverage. I need tremendous amount of force. But then I push it until it moves once it’s loose. I can go ahead and ratchet it.