20v So who's seen this before?

[Ed Kellock]

Hmm... oes it sound plausible that the following scenario might be related
to a failing ignition switch...

-The other day, I turned the switch to engage the starter and got nothing.
The next try it engaged starter normally.  I think this has happened once or
twice over time.
-Last Saturday, I left the house with the a/c on and a short while later
realized that it wasn't cooling, so I just shut it off.  A few moments later
I got the AutoCheck battery icon and beep.  I looked at the volt gauge and
it was below 12.  The CC head showed 11.3 or thereabouts.
-A bit later I poked it and ran the revs up in 1st due to traffic and
noticed the volt gauge climb above 12 to almost a normal reading.  
-All the while the battery has seemed strong with no noticeable weakening,
at least not yet. 
-A few mornings ago I started the car to move it into service position after
it had sat for a couple days and about the time I was pulling in and
shutting off, the volts were lingering above 12 almost normally, but dropped
back to 12 or just under as the car returned to idle.

I've been thinking alternator or some connection (the exciter wire??), but
also wondered about the switch. It was replaced once a long time ago (I have
2 keys for the car), but that was probably prior to 10 years and 49k miles.
It has 237k now.

Thanks,
Ed

> -----Original Message-----
> From: quattro-bounces at audifans.com 
> [mailto:quattro-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Grant Lenahan
> Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 6:19 AM
> To: Tony Hoffman
> Cc: whitehill; Audifans
> Subject: Re: 20v So who's seen this before?
> 
> 
> I have seen so many weird failures of the ignition switch 
> that I dont  
> rule anything out anymore.
> 
> I've had accessories out. Engine dies.  Engine does with accessories  
> working.  Intermittent.  Yuk.
> 
> Grant
> On Sep 4, 2008, at 9:03 AM, Tony Hoffman wrote:
> 
> > Teh windows don't get power from the same contact inside 
> the switch as 
> > the engine, so that's no indication that the switch is 
> good. I'd get 
> > out a test light or meter and start checking in the fusebox 
> with the 
> > key on. If you find you have no power to the ECU fuse(s) 
> then that's a 
> > pretty good indication.
> >
> > Tony
> >
> > On Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 9:46 PM, whitehill <rhayllar at bigpond.net.au>
> > wrote:
> >> Thanks Mark
> >> I am aware of that problem
> >> But remember the car just stopped while I was driving along. The
> >> ignition
> >> switch seems to be OK all the windows etc operate in the run  
> >> position and
> >> the battery connections are Ok and the battery is 
> healthily charged.
> >> Also I am not getting power to the starter.
> >> Is there any circitry in between the starter position 
> contacts on the
> >> ignition switch and the starter motor that also would cause the  
> >> engine to
> >> die?
> >> Rick
> > _______________________________________________
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> 
> Grant Lenahan
> glenahan at vfemail.net
> (201) 602-4702 mobile
> 
> 
> 
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