Golf gods attack A6?

[Elliott Potter]

When you start the car, make sure that they key pops back from "start"
to "on."  It sounds like the key is sticking in the start position --
sort of common for these cars.  I don't know if there's a way to repair
the ignition switch or if it just needs to be replaced, but that sounds
like what you've got.
--
Elliott

nolo at execpc.com wrote:
> 
> Bought a '96 A6 earlier this month and everything's been just peachy;
> yesterday, though, after squeezing in my first round of golf, I started
> up the car and noticed the climate control panel was dark and when I put
> 
> the shifter into reverse there was a terrible noise, a kind of tinny,
> scraping or clacking sound and that sound continued in neutral but
> disappeared in drive.  I drove the car home...about 15 miles...and it
> performed normally except that the climate control, wipers, headlights
> and horn weren't functioning.  When I got home I checked the fuses and
> they all seem to be OK, but now there is no noise when the shifter is in
> 
> neutral or reverse - for which I am grateful - but various
> electrical/electronic functions are still not
> operating....except....when the ignition key is positioned "on" but
> without starting the engine....the climate control does run -
> sometimes!  Other than the golf gods seeking revenge on me for my dismal
> 
> round, anybody got any ideas as to what's ailing my "new" car....and is
> there any connection between the electrical malfunction and that
> noise....or is this just another one of those cruel conincidences which
> confound the simple mind?