babyvan

I have an Audi 1999 2.8L .It has 107000 miles on it.
2 months ago I was driving and the car died on me.However, the car started immediately after turning on my ignition. Now, the situation has gotten worse. These days it won't start at all. Sometime it would start after so many attempts. I have had two different shops look at it. They both have diagnosed different fault. The first shop says it's the electrical part of my ignition switch. They say i need to change it and have the audi dealership reprogram the switch. The second shops says my ECM is bad. They also want me to change it and have the Audi dealership program the new ECM with my vin number. The guy in the first shop has worked with an audi dealership for several years.

Please guys I need your help. I am trying to avoid a visit to the audi dealership. The last time I went there they took all my money but couldnt solve my electrical issues (my power lock and power windows just stopped working all at the same time)

Fault codes from shop 1: P1625 P1749 P1432 P1545
Fault codes from shop 2: 16988 17967 18010 18032

Thank you so much for your time.

Kris Hansen

Starting can be multiple issues.. The ignition switch is a known issue, might not be a bad idea to replace it just to be sure, especially since it's not expensive and a known failure point.

once the ignition switch is replaced, lets see what happens. Be sure to report back!

4Driver4

Agreed. And the new switch is plug and play - there is nothing to "program"

FishMan

I also agree, the ignition switch can be purchased for about $35 shipped to your door and it's easy to replace. I've replaced three of them in my '98 already and I'm replacing it again this week; starting issues too. Take note what happens when you try to start your car. When you have the ignition turned to the prestrart position, are all of your dash gauges, etc. turning on? If not, give the ignition switch a wiggle and see what happens.

dorsal900

Check with Audi of America to see if your car's ignition switch is covered by a recall and if the work was ever done. common failure part to the point that they did a recall on many of them (certainly on my 1996 car).

turbo510

The ignition switch's plastic cover can be pried off the retaining clips. Mine got flaky, and a little work on the starter contacts with #1000 aluminum oxide sand paper, followed by buffing with the backside of the paper wetted with WD-40, completely cured my starting trouble. If you try this, mark the housing parts with a permanent marker so you can line the parts up.

4Driver4

Why on god's green earth would you go to all that trouble when you can replace this high failure rate item for less than $50.

Buy the best switch you can find. Buy genuine Audi from the dealer.

babyvan

Awesome!!I couldn't thank you guys enough for allowing me tap into your wealth of experience. I would go ahead and buy a genuine audi switch since 4driver4 says it has a high failure rate. I followed dorsal900's advice and called audi of america but was told that my ignition switch was never recalled.Turbo510,I am too scared to mess with electricals and kris i would definetely report back my findings.

I'd like talk more on the starting issues just to see if you guys can get a fresh insight on how to tackle my problem.

My malfunction indicator light is always on.sometimes,my engine oil pressure warning light comes on followed by a buzzer sound and then the engine dies.on few occassions, while changing my automatic transmisson from park to drive or reverse the car jerks.

Diagnostics 1.0..ran diagnostics and 4 codes came up
16988:control Module Malfunction
17967:Idle speed control thrust positive adaptation Malfunction
18010:Voltage Supply Terminal 30 Voltage to Low
18032: Request for warning light on active.

Thank you so much!!

turbo510

Re-reading your original post, are you saying the engine cranks over when it won't start, or the starter motor doesn't work? If it cranks, someone needs to see if there is spark at the plugs, and that the fuel pump is running. And 4Driver4, I agree taking the switch apart is a little drastic, but it was the weekend, and I had to have it going on Monday!

babyvan

when i turn my ignition to the prestart position, my dash gauges and dials all come on. when i turn on the switch to the start position my engine cranks as it would just before starting.sometimes it goes on to start fully and sometimes it just keeps cranking but wont start.

thanks