Ignition switch???

[Kneale Brownson]

How do you identify the "starter side" of the ignition switch?  Is this 
accessed from the panel below the steering wheel or through the cluster 
opening?

Unfortunately, I have no BTDT with the switch/cluster and my Bentley is 
1400 miles away.

On 8/7/2011 9:47 AM, Phil Rose wrote:
> I dread the thought of that notorious ignition switch failure, so 
> Kneale's post stirred up those feelings :-(.
> Strangley enough I could only find one relevant entry in my file of 
> old quattro list posts. I thought it sounded interesting enough to 
> pass it along for Kneale to consider. Perhaps it may apply to his 
> situation.
>
> Kneale, please keep us posted as to your progress...
>
>>         Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 21:57:22 -0700
>>
>>         From: dsims at axtek.com (Donna Sims)
>>
>>         Subject: ignition switch bypass
>>
>>
>>         Just wanted to pass this along to those who might be having
>>         trouble with
>>
>>         their key switch.
>>
>>
>>         I didn't want to drill out the shear bolt and go through all
>>         the hassle
>>
>>         (expense) of replacing the lock cylinder, etc.
>>
>>
>>         A simple and creative fix is to put a relay (I used a fog
>>         light relay
>>
>>         $4.99 Autozone) and a small almost undetectable, button
>>         switch from
>>
>>         Ratty O' Shack ($1.89). I wired the relay to the starter side
>>         of the
>>
>>         ignition switch and it is now activated by the button switch
>>         which is
>>
>>         well hidden, but easily accessible, once you turn the key "On".
>>
>>
>>         Any type momentary contact switch can be used as long as you
>>         put the
>>
>>         load on the relay. You could even use a really cool magnetic
>>         reed switch
>>
>>         (the entry kind used in burglar alarms) mounted behind a thin
>>         part of
>>
>>         the dash or console and start your car with a small magnet on
>>         your
>>
>>         keychain!! Only you would know where and how.
>>
>>
>>         This should really slow down joyriders and other non-pro car
>>         thieves,
>>
>>         including maybe even car hijacking.
>>
>>
>>         BTW, the man who bought the car really thought this idea was
>>         great from
>>
>>         a security POV.
>>
>>
>>         Just my .02 before signing off.
>>
>>
>>         Don S.
>>
>
> Phil
>
>
>
>
>
> At 9:33 AM -0500 8/7/11, Tony Hoffman wrote:
>> Same as the rest of them. Are you thinking the contact part is bad, 
>> or the
>> mechanical part? If it's the contact (electrical) part, it doesn't 
>> require
>> drilling, and is simpler than the V8's in that the cluster comes out 
>> easier.
>> Pull it, and you can feel around for the two locking screws, very small
>> straight blades, like a jewlers screwdriver size.
>>
>> HTH,
>> Tony
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 6, 2011 at 7:57 PM, Kneale Brownson <kneale at coslink.net> 
>> wrote:
>>
>> > Parked the 200q20v avant in the garage and when I pulled the key 
>> from the
>> > switch, it resisted removal just a bit.  It was noticeable because it's
>> > always been very smooth.
>> >
>> > Anyway, today I went to use it,  the key turns but there's no starter
> > engagement.
>
> -- 
>
> Phil Rose.....Rochester, NY USA
> '00 A6 2.7T (my son's)
> '06 A3q 3.2 V6 (30K, silver)
> '91 200q(175K, Lago blue)
> Gone to Audi Valhalla:
> '91 200q   (Tornado red)
> '89 100 (Bamboo gold)