Something really strange happened to me when I went to pick up a newly purchased 2001 A4 Avant. I figured might as well post it here in case it happened to someone else...

I started the car and it ran fine, just like it did when we bought it that morning. I got ready to drive it away, but first I proceeded to adjust the seat, mirrors and steering wheel. When I moved the telescoping wheel all the way out (that's the way I like it), the car suddently just died. I tried to restart it, to no avail. The car doesn't even turn on (accessory power), let alone crank.

Basically, my educated guess points to the ingition switch. It seems that moving the steering column may have either shorted it out, or disconnected a wire.

The battery is fine, the lights work, the radio works, the remote locking/unlocking works, but turning the key has no effect. And it's the immobilizer kicking in (if that were the case, the car would start and then die). The transmitter in the key works for sure. Just that it seems the car has no idea I'm sitting there turning the key.

By the way, moving the steering column back into it's original position has no effect.

Also, I have checked all fuses, they're all fine.

So, I'm going back tomorrow with some tools, going to try to take apart the steering column and see what's up.

Before I head there, does anyone have any advice? Any similar experiences? Is there a known issue with Audi ignition switches?

Thanks

 

pull the cover and look at the switch.