Car wouldn't start!!!

**EMAXX** · 08-07-2008 09:19 PM

Hey guys,

I drive a brand new '08 A4 that I picked up a little more than a month ago. I was at the shopping mall the other day and the car wouldn't start. It was about 102F outside I was sweating so bad. I tried to start the car for about 10 mins and finally gave up and went inside to call my salesman. He tells me to find a nice person in the lot and have then give me a push, after I put the car into neutral and then try it again. After I tried that, the car started right up. What the heck?

**i3oricua** · 08-07-2008 09:28 PM

Don't know....maybe if the car is an automatic it may not have been in park completely, but then again you probably wouldn't have been able to get the key out probably. Was the car turning over when you were turning the key? It could have been a fluke. Really unlikely you will ever know the answer unless it happens again and you're at the mechanic/dealership at the exact time it happens.

**EMAXX** · 08-07-2008 09:30 PM

The car is a 6 speed. The key wouldn't even turn in the ignition. It was just like it was locked in place and I couldn't turn the key or the steering wheel.

**Tugboatguy** · 08-07-2008 10:08 PM

Next time this happens try turning the steering wheel hard while you try to turn the key . If it doesn't work the first time turn wheel the other way.I get this sometimes in my 07 , and my 95 Jetta would do it too. Mostly happens when I park with wheels turned.

**EMAXX** · 08-07-2008 10:12 PM

Humm. That's weird, cause I didn't park with the wheels turned. I know, cause the 4 rings were horizontal right in front of me. I tired to turn the wheel and it almost felt like I was going to break it.

**masteroc** · 08-07-2008 10:12 PM

Yeap, had a similar problem myself, do as tugboatguy says, turn the wheel while turning the key. At least thats what seems to work for me.

**CapstoneJHS** · 08-07-2008 10:26 PM

The steering wheel can be locked in place after you've removed the key.

Go give it a try. Crank your car...then turn it off, remove the key, and turn the wheel slightly clockwise until it clicks. It will then be locked.

Then to unlock it: Put the key in and you'll notice that the key won't turn. With your left hand, slightly turn the wheel clockwise again. You'll feel the wheel and key unlock...then you can crank the car.

**Glassnpowder98** · 08-08-2008 06:18 AM

^^^ Exactly... Sometimes I hit the steering wheel while getting in and out of the car and it locks. I remember the first time it happened to me (I was in another car) and I wasn't sure what happened because I couldnt turn the key. Luckily for some reason I turned the wheel and it unlocked.

**i3oricua** · 08-08-2008 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Glassnpowder98

^^^ Exactly... Sometimes I hit the steering wheel while getting in and out of the car and it locks. I remember the first time it happened to me (I was in another car) and I wasn't sure what happened because I couldnt turn the key. Luckily for some reason I turned the wheel and it unlocked.

Thunder thighs?

j/k

**VanAudi** · 08-08-2008 08:21 PM

The steering wheel will lock if it is moved as an antitheft control...just turn the wheel one way-then the other while turning the key to release the lock....a normal condition for the a4.