rs4tech

give me your email address and i can send you pics of how to do it.

shwndh

Great info!

osospdb

I'm new to this site and DIY repairs in general, but I'm very impressed by the knowledge and generosity with info. I drive a 2003 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro. I've been struggling with a similar issue for months now. Did the new ignition switch fix this original problem? The thing is my car will start just fine for a while and then all of the sudden it goes through a phase of never starting on the first attempt. Lately it takes at least two attempts to start. I've been avoiding the dealer like the plague because last time I was there, I spent a fortune for basically nothing. The local shop, which I trust, can't seem to diagnose the issue...they recommended going back to the dealer. My error codes are:
18062/P1654- Check DTC memory of instrument cluster: No signal/ communication- intermittent
17978/P1570- Engine start blocked by immobilizer, signal implausible- intermittent
18017/P1609- Crash shutdown activated- upper limit exceeded, present
Cluster ECU codes 01039- Coolant Temperature senson (G2) open or short to ground- intermittent
01176- Key signal too low- intermittent, present.
Central electronics ECU code 00474- Control module for immobilizer, no cummunication, present

For diagnostic purposes, codes were cleared, then the various ECU's were rechecked. Code 01176 recurred; code 00474 would not clear and then self-cleared.

Also, once in a while after starting, the emergency flashers will go on and won't turn off until I restart the car. I've tried "cold booting" the car and that seamed to work for about 1/2 a day. I have two keys and both do this. One key won't operate as a remote. I recently put new batteries in both keys, but that didn't solve the problems.

Sorry about the long winded question. I'd really appreciate any help/ some confirmation that a new ignition switch solves this. Thank you so much.

A4Huey

to maybe the carwash had somehting to do with it...i.e. water getting somewhere its not supposed to..??

Just a thought.

osospdb

Not trying to be rude, but where did the carwash idea come from? Funny thing though, now that you bring it up, I also have an issue with my interior smelling like gasoline after a car wash/rain...but I'll post that somewhere else. These Audi's are great but there sure are a lot of funny quirks.

A4Huey

It seemed like every thing was fine until that point. You started and stopped the car several time with out incident...

Again just a thought.

ibamonster

can i get pic on how to do it thanx

ibamonster

my car seems to turn on then turn off one turn on then emergency flashers came on till i restarted car can i use scanner to clear codes to correct problem

lalax2b

I have been reading all of these post because I have an Audi A4 03 1.8T having the same issues. The specialist is telling me to get a new key from the dealership (when I bought the car a month ago it only came with one key) and then possible have the computer system and/or immobilzer replaced. He won't show me the codes but I know from a previous inspection the 01176 key signal low sporadic message came up.

So do I need to do what he says an get a new key? Or do I need to replace the reader coil and/or ignition switch and/or key barrel? Has anyone actually corrected this problem? If I do nothing to the car (it starts after 3-4 times) and get nothing replaced do I risk my car possibly not starting at all one day?

osospdb

I ended up paying about $250 for the Audi dealer to install a new ignition switch. It has been working great ever since, and it was definitely worth the money to finally get it repaired. Now my car doesn't feel like its going to break down at any time. Good luck.