12 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHProblem starting car
Reported or suspected cause
interlock switch
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
I've had this exact issue on a Saab - and it was the interlock switch on the trans selector.
Leading evidence: 'interlock switch' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'interlock switch' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace cable and all is fine now' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
the o3 has a diffrent switch...........its diffrent in color i still change new ones on 03-04-05 cars
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
I had a similar problem, and after replacing the switch (which WAS worn, but didn't fix the problem), they later found the main power cable to the starter was corroded.
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Suggestion
I had a similar problem, and after replacing the switch (which WAS worn, but didn't fix the problem), they later found the main power cable to the starter was corroded.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
12 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
I had a similar problem, and after replacing the switch (which WAS worn, but didn't fix the problem), they later found the main power cable to the starter was corroded.
2003 Tiptronic 996 with 47K miles that has developed a problem starting over the last couple of days. Sometimes it turns over just fine. Other times when the key is turned I can hear what some sort of electrical sound (the same sound I hear when the key is turned to position 1) but the car makes no attempt to turn over.
When this happens, I've tried moving the Tip lever to neutral, back into park, trying to start, back into drive, back into par, try and start, etc. etc.
I try this sequence over and over again and then suddenly the car starts as though there was never a problem. Then I'll drive somewhere, park the car, and it won't start again.
Any ideas?
Faulty Park sensor switch perhaps?
I know on the manual cars, like mine, the interlock switch is on the clutch pedal, and it won't start if that switch isn't engaged.
Assume the tip has it on the selector???
Could be a worn or faulty ignition switch, a common problem on these cars I'm told. I had a similar problem, and after replacing the switch (which WAS worn, but didn't fix the problem), they later found the main power cable to the starter was corroded. Replaced cable and all is fine now.
ign switch rarely fails to not allow the car to be started (in fact ive never seen or heard of it on a 996/986) it uysally sticks on. as far s you problem, its hard to say id really need to look at the car dealers hould be able to hook up the tetser and see switch positions and see what doesnt line up
You don't think that this is significant?
I've had this exact issue on a Saab - and it was the interlock switch on the trans selector.
On a 2003 model car, you'd have to have done way more than the usual number of key turns to have the old ignition switch problem.
And doesn't the 03 have a better igition switch than the old 'Audi' one that used to fail after years of use?
Thanks for the input. I was suspecting something like a faulty interlock or park switch, I had not thought about the ignition switch itself. Fortunately I am under warranty still so I'll let the dealer find the problem. However intellectual curiousity was getting to me in the mean time.
I'll report back and let you know when I do ....
Before you waste too much time get a computer fault read out. I chased ghosts for months before the faulty immobiliser was identified.
The problem is that it decides to work again after you've done lots of things, I was sure it was a faulty relay as 4 times the car worked when I waggled a relay.....I also got the same result playing with the ignition switch....and, and,....
What was the final solution to your problem?
I have a very similar problem with a 2001 C2 with a clutch. It starts just fine 99.9% of the time. However, when I leave it out overnight in the Boston cold it will not start first try in the morning. It just makes a clicking sound when I turn the key, but the starter doesn�t even make an effort to turn over. Then after a few minutes the car starts just fine. It turns over and starts in less than a second.
The car battery is less than a year old. My remotes work fine. I even tried my second key with similar results. I�m thinking maybe the clutch switch is sticking when it is cold for some reason. Any other ideas?
Quick update -
The dealer has had the car for a few days and they don't have a definitive answer yet. I spoke with the service advisor today, not the technician, so I only have a high level understanding of what's wrong and not a technical answer.
She basically described the problem as the equivalent of the neutral switch in a manual transmission going bad. The car thinks its in gear so it won't start. They have been on the phone with the techs in Germany and they still have not identified what part they need to replace. Apparently this is a rare failure. The dealer is VERY good, this is one of the few times I have seen them get stumped. Even more baffling, the factory did not have an immediate answer either.
