2008/9 A4 B8 Avant Ignition Switch/Dash receiver problem

[berksboy26]

Hi,

This is my first post on the forum and i realise this subject has been covered by others.
My ignition key(s) have both slowly developed a problem where you cannot remove them from the dash receiver slot without a large push/pull attempt - sometimes they come straight out and at other times it may take 15-20 go's.
I would appreciate any pointers to the following:
1:If i change the switch do you need to purchase new or can you use the original keys and will they require programming? - two dealers have said yes to both and various members here (and a UK independent) have indicated no.
2:How are the steering column clamshell halfs held together - some pics show a combination of screw holes on the lower half but mine have none and some pics i've seen have two screws at the front which will necessitate steering wheel removal.
3:An independent Audi dealer has told me that he has rarely changed dash switches but has changed a number of steering column locks to cure the same problem.

Any help or advice would be muchly appreciated

Best

Alan

[AudiTLC]

clean out the slots in the fob and also inside the dash slot. Make sure there are no burs in the plastic slots. Occasionally, my fob gets stuck and it just takes another try, pulling it out/up.

The first times it happened, it took many attempts because it was just stuck and frustration takes over.
My guess is wear on the plastic causes this. Who would have guessed a plastic key isn't as good as metal....

Audi does it again with over engineered, jackoff design that doesn't work reliably.

[laffy778]

Doesn't it stick when there's no power from the battery??

Sent from my SM-G970U using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Smac770]

No current to the E415 from the J393 will prevent it from releasing the locked key, correct. But the OP's situation sounds more like a mechanical issue. Here's a related but unhelpful video: youtu.be/BIcHO6xE2cs

The E415 ignition switch (key slot) can just be swapped and you shouldn't need to do anything other than the physical swap, iirc from others who have already posted such things.

If you want to get into how to take the car apart, you can get the workshop manuals from Audi. erwin.audi.com, pay for a day, get all the PDFs for your VIN.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...23911-9999.pdf
Might be the slot is simply wearing out; apparently not an uncommon problem after many years for people who have to use the key slot to activate the engine (ie, do not have keyless go).

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...65991-2280.pdf
specifically relevant TSB, but only if there's a park position identification problem going on

[berksboy26]

Thanks for the helpful replies.

I removed the dash switch and found that one of the four spring loaded latches was almost jammed with crud and the others generally grubby.

Cleaned switch and keys with isopropanol and replaced.Its now much better (although probably worn) and releases every time and will at least get the car through next months MOT.

My car is late 2008/early 2009 when the A4 model changed and i struggled to find the reinforcing bracket/bolts that need to be removed in order to lower the switch downwards and out - only to eventually find it/they aren't on UK supplied cars! making the job much simpler.

Best

Alan