A4...No power to steering column componets or fan

[Huw Powell]

> This is a 98 A4 2.8 with 174K miles, my headlights, turn signals,  
> windshield wipers and horn do not work. Also the climate control fan is in-op.  Car 
> will start up and run just fine.
> 
> This did not happen all at  once (as if a fuse had blown)
> Day one..... the alternator light came on  briefly after start up and went 
> out after revving the engine.
> Day two.....  windshield wipers/ turn signals were working until the 
> headlights were turned  on. Wipers and signals quit working but headlights worked. 
> After about 5 minutes  I started the car, checked the wipers and signals 
> which worked, turned on the  headlights and nothing worked (headlights, 
> signals or wipers). I started  snooping around and found the horn and climate 
> control fan to be not working  also. Everything else seems to be working OK.
> Any  Ideas?

If your car is anything like the ones ten years older I am familiar 
with, it sounds like trouble with the load reduction relay ("X relay"), 
which disables lots of things while cranking - or, rather, it energizes 
them only in the "run" position.  It's usually a 70A SPST relay (big 
main circuit pins).

I guess it could also be Team Ignition Switch at work, too, though.

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/