Symptoms:
Key On:
The instrument cluster does not light up (except for mileage and time which light up regardless of key position).
Windows do not work.
Moon roof does not work.
Mirrors do not work.
Climate Controls do not light up and fan does not work.

Wipers do work.
Turn signals do work.
Headlights do work.

Key Start:
Engine cranks eagerly but does not start.
Key does not get stack in START position but goes back to ON on its own!

Anyone had similar symptoms? Most incidents with ignition switch I found here involved the key getting stack in the START position and thus damaging the starter. This is not the case with me since the key springs back just fine. I would hate to take a part half of the steering column only to find out that there is nothing wrong with the ignition switch. What tests can I perform to pinpoint the problem?

Thanks.

 

with the two #1 phillips screws from underneath. Then, peak in from the left side of the steering column, from the top, and look for the connector that goes to the ignition switch. It'll be in line with where the key goes in. Look to the right of that connector, to what it actually plugs into. If it's white, chances are it's bad/cracked.

I'd also be willing to bet, based on your symptoms, that it is in fact, a bad (electrical portion) ignition switch.

 

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13510/sp5000.jpg"></center><p>
Last March, drive up form S NJ to Middlesex county with $14,000 cash stuffed in the spare wel. Going to pick up my 998. Get to the dealer on around 5pm on a Saturday. Place closes at 6.
Do all the paper work pay up..etc. They load my bike on the back of a pick up truck and the guy was gonna follow my home down the turnpike.
We are ready to roll, get in my car turn the key to start my car and.....engine is cranking but not starting. I notice that the none of the dash lights come on when turning the key on the ON possition....&gt;WTF!!!!!!!&lt;panic sets in&gt;
So, i play with the key back and forth and i get the lights on the dash to come on...and my car starts....WOOOOOOOOOUFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!
Made it home that night...I was able to get around for a couple of days by jingle the key in the ignition cyl and get the switch to activate and start my car.
Now...on the left of the pic is the ignition switch or the right is the cyl lock mechanism.
In my case..my cyl lock was loose as a goose. So i ordered both parts from the parts department. I still do not know what was the cause of my problem..anyhow, The ignition switch was like $42 i think. Then for the lock cyl.....well it all depends if u wanna keep your key the same. My parts guy had to order my cyl lock from Germany(vin # required) the part was like $80 however Audi places a rush order in to Germany so THe dealership had to slap a $100 REQUIRED shipping over night FEE...Then when i got both parts i attemped to do the job myself. Until i ran in to the fact i had to remove the steering wheel....Gave up and had the dealership do it for an hour worth of labor $76.

DG

 

I had this happen twice on my VW Scirrocco.