Car won't turn on, ignition won't crank!

**Azizthetics** · 03-05-2015 06:00 AM

Hey guys,

I've got an 1997 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro manual,230xxxkms on the home from work ignition started to play up, key had trouble going in and it would automatically switch over to the on position, car started fine and was making a krrrrk noise from the engine lol. Headlights wouldn't turn on, indicators wouldn't work, windscreen wipers didint work untill I turned the car off and tried it again. Evantually drove it home and tried to start it now it won't turn on, dash lights and everything light up but no crank to start the engine, nothing happens.

**Azizthetics** · 03-06-2015 03:34 AM

bump

**Azizthetics** · 03-13-2015 05:35 AM

Update: The car only starts when you push-start it in first/second gear and runs fine other than that.

Could this be the starter motor?!

**rjpiselli** · 03-13-2015 05:42 AM

could be the starter, could also be the ign switch. does it turn over if you either jiggle the key while holding it in the start position, or if you turn it fast? try turning the key back (off position) and turning it really fast to the start position. do that a few times. also try turning it to the start position, and while holding it there jiggle it up and down.

if it turns over during any of those proceedures, its likely the ignition switch that needs replaced. do you have heavy keychains? I believe excess weight hanging off the ign can eventually cause premature ign switch failure.

**rjpiselli** · 03-13-2015 05:45 AM

also, these have a clutch switch, that prevents the starter from engaging while the clutch is not depressed. if this switch is bad, you car would not know that you are pressing the clutch pedal in, and would not let the starter crank. to be honest, I am not sure how you would diagnose this to be bad; but generally they are cheap enough and easy enough to replace, that you just do them and if it works great if not oh well, on to the next thing.

**rjpiselli** · 03-13-2015 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by Azizthetics

key had trouble going in and it would automatically switch over to the on position.

this is what makes me think there is something going on that is ignition switch related though.

**Azizthetics** · 03-13-2015 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by rjpiselli

also, these have a clutch switch, that prevents the starter from engaging while the clutch is not depressed. if this switch is bad, you car would not know that you are pressing the clutch pedal in, and would not let the starter crank. to be honest, I am not sure how you would diagnose this to be bad; but generally they are cheap enough and easy enough to replace, that you just do them and if it works great if not oh well, on to the next thing.

Already replaced the ignition switch, still doesn't crank over. Trail and error I suppose. Thanks for letting me know about the clutch switch that can also be an option!

**rjpiselli** · 03-13-2015 05:54 AM

ah, ok. yeah like I said im not sure what sort of diagnostic process you can run to determine whether or not the clutch safety switch is bad, but on my b6 s4 it was a $30 part and a 5-10 minute fix. in my opinion, that risk beats either paying a shop $70+ an hour to diagnose, or trial and error with a starter. Plus, I have no references, but I seem to remember the starters on these cars being labeled as 'bullet proof'. if it makes you feel better, my 1999 a4 1.8t has 330,000 MILEs on it and the starter is original. So I would be more inclined to believe that it is something more simple, such as the clutch switch.

**rjpiselli** · 03-13-2015 05:55 AM

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ety-switch-diy

there is some info for the clutch switch.

**Azizthetics** · 03-13-2015 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by rjpiselli

ah, ok. yeah like I said im not sure what sort of diagnostic process you can run to determine whether or not the clutch safety switch is bad, but on my b6 s4 it was a $30 part and a 5-10 minute fix. in my opinion, that risk beats either paying a shop $70+ an hour to diagnose, or trial and error with a starter. Plus, I have no references, but I seem to remember the starters on these cars being labeled as 'bullet proof'. if it makes you feel better, my 1999 a4 1.8t has 330,000 MILEs on it and the starter is original. So I would be more inclined to believe that it is something more simple, such as the clutch switch.

Mines done 223000kms which is 138xxxmiles I believe.

It sort of gives me a peace of mind, knowing that there is a possibility of my car lasting that long.

What have you done to maintain that amount of high mileage though? Regular services?

**rjpiselli** · 03-13-2015 06:36 AM

to be honest this car has been extremely reliable. a lot can be said for following the scheduled maintenance proceedures.

full synthetic oil and mobil1 filter every 5,000 religiously.
letting it warm up before I'm too hard on it, and letting it idle before shutting it off.
timing belt has been changed 2 times.
plugs/coil packs been replaced 2 times.
alternator was replaced 4 times, but I think I bought a poorly rebuilt unit the first time, and the second time was defective upon installation.
wheel bearings a couple times but that's expected with age.
turbo was replaced but only bc there was a buzzing sound when I let off the throttle, which is the wastegate actuator becoming weak I believe. anyway, wasn't a necessity but more something I wanted to do. later replaced it again to do k04, again not necessary.
coolant flange, commonly known to be a weakness, was replaced. I think it was $7 lol.

bottom line is if you take care of it and maintain it, you have LOTS of miles left. but you can skimp on maintenance or cheap out and expect to see a quarter million miles and more. just do the maintenance, fix what breaks before it leads to something bigger, and if you cant fix it right, pay someone who can bc fixing it wrong is worse than not fixing it. no duct tape, no wd40.

edit: that mileage is on original motor, trans, drivetrain, everything.