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Has anyone had an ignition switch fail with no warning?

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Old 01-21-2008, 06:42 PM
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Default Has anyone had an ignition switch fail with no warning?

This morning I went to start the UrS (15 degrees) and it turned over fine, but it wouldn't start at all. I tried it 3 separate times and even hit the gas a little, but nothing. I searched the archives and it looks like the ignition switch could be the culprit. However, the threads I was reading mentioned instances where the car wouldn't start and then it would as if the switch was slowly going bad. What do you all think? TIA
Old 01-21-2008, 07:03 PM
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Default The one in my 1990 80q failed catastrophically one day.

No hint of failure previous.
Old 01-21-2008, 08:33 PM
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Fuel pump.
Old 01-21-2008, 09:01 PM
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Default

usually when the switch goes bad, the car won't turn over, no?
Old 01-22-2008, 02:20 AM
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Default I thought that right away.

Never got any kind of noise from it though.
Old 01-22-2008, 05:03 AM
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Default They fail in too many ways to generalize, but the most common failure is...

...sticking in the start position.
Old 01-22-2008, 05:07 AM
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Default Failures I have observed from my switches

1. Switch gets sticky and will not return from the START position. This is very bad because it can result in a burned out starter motor.

2. Car will start and run but the electrical accessories which turn of during starting do not come back on.

3. Car will start intermittently and then finally not start at all. With this failure you can still start the car if you turn the key to the on position and connect the hot side of the solenoid to +12V on the battery.

4. Switch gets stiff and just does not feel right. This is when you should replace the switch with a new OEM switch from the dealer ($38 US). It is worth every penny.
Old 01-22-2008, 06:23 AM
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Default You need to test your fuel pump. (See link inside)

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/s4s6/msgs/161382.phtml">fuel pump test procedure in the FAQ</a></li></ul>
Old 01-22-2008, 07:47 AM
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Default Update: car started fine just now...

20 degrees warmer outside today. We'll see what happens and then I'll try to diagnose. I have 3 other cars to use right now anyway...
Old 01-22-2008, 11:31 AM
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Default Sounds just like what mine did when the switch was going bad

It started with infrequent cranking with no start that I could eventually get the engine to kick over by continuing to cycle the key. I noticed that when ever the car did not start that the dash did not fully light up as normal. If the dash lit up properly the car started.

I'd start with a new switch, cheap, easy and it's going to fail sooner or later anyway so might as well get ahead of it before it leaves you stranded.


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