dave smith

This is an Audi 1996 A6 2.6 SE auto.
Has been faultless since I bought it when it was one year old.
Then tonight when I get in it at Clacton in Essex and start up
there is a grinding wirring sort of noise coming from the engine or
gearbox when it is in park or neutral but the noise goes away when in
drive or reverse. I manage to drive it home no noise in drive, gearbox
and engine working perfect, but there are no headlights, indicators,
air con, or wipers. Have to drive home giving hand sigs and using
headlamp flasher as headlights. (upset quite a few people I can tell
you). When I got home I tuned it off and then restated it again.
Electrics are all working again, but the noise is still there at
standstill in park or neutral.

Anybody know of this problem

Regards David.

dave smith

On Mon, 25 Aug 2003 00:11:48 GMT, saxons@clara.net (dave smith) wrote:

>This is an Audi 1996 A6 2.6 SE auto.
>Has been faultless since I bought it when it was one year old.
>Then tonight when I get in it at Clacton in Essex and start up
>there is a grinding wirring sort of noise coming from the engine or
>gearbox when it is in park or neutral but the noise goes away when in
>drive or reverse. I manage to drive it home no noise in drive, gearbox
>and engine working perfect, but there are no headlights, indicators,
>air con, or wipers. Have to drive home giving hand sigs and using
>headlamp flasher as headlights. (upset quite a few people I can tell
>you). When I got home I tuned it off and then restated it again.
>Electrics are all working again, but the noise is still there at
>standstill in park or neutral.
>
>Anybody know of this problem
>
>Regards David.

After some investigation today I hope I have found the cause of the
problem.

When I start the car the ignition switch is getting stuck in the start
position.
The audi shuts every thing down when the starter is turning, the
grinding noise is the starter motor. When I go in to drive the starter
stops turning because of the override switch that stops the car
starting when in drive. I hope I am correct as this seems quite a
cheap solution to a scary problem.
Now I wondering do I have to change the switch or does it just need
some sort of lubrication.

Regards David

daytripper

On Mon, 25 Aug 2003 14:36:33 GMT, saxons@clara.net (dave smith) wrote:

>On Mon, 25 Aug 2003 00:11:48 GMT, saxons@clara.net (dave smith) wrote:
>
>>This is an Audi 1996 A6 2.6 SE auto.
>>Has been faultless since I bought it when it was one year old.
>>Then tonight when I get in it at Clacton in Essex and start up
>>there is a grinding wirring sort of noise coming from the engine or
>>gearbox when it is in park or neutral but the noise goes away when in
>>drive or reverse. I manage to drive it home no noise in drive, gearbox
>>and engine working perfect, but there are no headlights, indicators,
>>air con, or wipers. Have to drive home giving hand sigs and using
>>headlamp flasher as headlights. (upset quite a few people I can tell
>>you). When I got home I tuned it off and then restated it again.
>>Electrics are all working again, but the noise is still there at
>>standstill in park or neutral.
>>
>>Anybody know of this problem
>>
>>Regards David.
>
>After some investigation today I hope I have found the cause of the
>problem.
>
>When I start the car the ignition switch is getting stuck in the start
>position.
>The audi shuts every thing down when the starter is turning, the
>grinding noise is the starter motor. When I go in to drive the starter
>stops turning because of the override switch that stops the car
>starting when in drive. I hope I am correct as this seems quite a
>cheap solution to a scary problem.
>Now I wondering do I have to change the switch or does it just need
>some sort of lubrication.
>
>Regards David

The key switches on that vintage Audi apparently have a propensity to fail, so
your diagnosis is likely spot-on. I don't recall reading of anyone
rehabilitating the key switch, so replacement of the switch assembly is
likely...