Bob Petruska

Many of us '97 A4 owners have received this week from AoA a recall to have the ignition switch housing replaced to prevent the ignition switch return spring from failing.

Has anyone actually experienced this failure?

Does one just rotate the ignition switch back a notch if the spring fails and drives the car normally with lights, wipers, A/C?

The reason I'm asking as I don't have the problem and I don't want the dealer monkeys tearing my steering column apart to inflick other damages that they normally do. As far as I know I can go in anytime in the future for the recall work when the switch fails. I plan on trading the '97 in shortly (about Dec/Jan) on a new 2002 A4. The dealer can do the work then for the next owner.

gregor

It happened to me, and not only did the electrics in the recall notice not work, but it also kept the starter engaged after the motor was running. End result-- replace both ignition switch and starter, for a total of over $800. I would definitely get the switch replaced. I have been working with my dealer, since AoA told me in May that my VIN was not in the range for the recall. Imagine my surpise and relief when i found my recall notice in today's mail (dated June 2001, yet mailed August 22, 2001). I'm now hoping for a happy ending to this long story.

Andy Hedin

...the recall was announced, it was covered under warranty at that time.

I just got in the habit of rotating the key back a little bit and it was fine....annoying, but seemed safe to me. Keep in mind, I was the only driver on the car so I didn't think it was a huge issue at the time. But a S.O. might not like it so much.