Doc_A8

2006 a8l will not start, does not recognize that it is in park. Where is the override?

Bigger issue... Anyone have this before?

Junius

I have never heard of this before in an A8 but I did hear a few stories with C6 generation A6's

Doc_A8

Found the release. No start in N either.

EPC malfuction? Now what?

Junius

From what I remember, it may be a sign of either a failing brake light switch

CobraCommander

Are you trying to use the start button or the key? Try exiting, locking the car and reentry...maybe the car needs to go through that cycle again.

Junius

Or transmission control module from some of the A6 posts I have seen. It's not starting in Neutral either? Try holding the gear selector in between neutral and drive and try to start it that way.

MP4.2+6.0

Besides fiddling w/ trying to start, best guess would be brake pedal switch. Known failure point, cheap to buy part. And if it does not see brake depressed even if in P or N, it won't start. Not 100% sure how to check, but a guess is if you step on brake the brake lights logically won't go on either.

Doc_A8

Ok, got her home.

Did more reading that suggested the brake light switch. So, because I have a pretty extensive background in shade tree mechanics, I went and tapped the area by the switch firmly, twice.

It started.

So, I drove it home- parking brake malfunction indicator on the dash the entire way home. Strangely, also no cruise control.

But I can now leave it somewhere safe while I order the brake light switch. I found it for about 18$ from ECS.

Doc_A8

PS, thanks guys.going to go order that switch and will pull a VCDS later.

MainelyA8

Glad you got it sorted! This thread makes me want to preemptively replace mine.