My 2002 TT won't start. It fires up for a second and then immediately dies. The instrument cluster is also completely dead.

This problem has happened a couple times in the past, but it went away if I took the key out and cycled the locks/alarm. And before this time, the instrument cluster always worked for the second or so it was running.

Also, the radio continuously has power, even when the key is out, doors locked, alarm on. I can turn it off with the radio power button, but the power is always there.

It seems I can correct the problem for a short while by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes.

It ALWAYS cranks over and fires right off, but it only runs for about a second and then it shuts right off again. It's like something is deciding after the fact, "oh, wait a minute, I'm not supposed to let the car run right now". At first, I though the problem was strictly limited to the immobilizer, but now with the gauges not powering up at all, radio issues, etc...

A bad battery or connections has been suggested at audittcca.com, but I have cleaned all the connections and verified proper voltages so this seems unlikely. I am going to do a little more troubleshooting this weekend based on the battery theory, but...

Anyone ever seen anything similar?

Thanks in advance,
Greg<ul><li><a href="http://www.audittcca.com/discussions/auditt/00007536">Audi TT CCA: No Start and radio always on</a></li></ul>

 

VAG it.

 

but that's what it sounds like...as though someone is stealing the car...it totally shuts down. are you using the same key as you always have?

 

Does the same thing with both keys. Didn't start this morning, dash was completely blank. Got home tonight and tried again, everything working perfectly. It's my understanding the the immobilizer "smarts" is part of the instrument cluster. That's why I suspect it's just an oddball symptom of the all too common instrument cluster failure...

 

i've had the ECU go out as well which triggered the immobilizer.