[s-cars] Starters and Ignition Switches

[Tom Green]

There were many other Audis involved in the ignition switch failure  
and recall, including the sister 100's and A6's, but the failure on  
many of those
went undiagnosed for an extended period because they were automatic  
transmission cars.  As soon as the car was shifted into gear the starter
disengaged, so it was just this occasional windows won't work or a/c  
is inop again problem that plagued them instead of the starter  
meltdown that
immediately got your attention.  Nothing like a little smoke from the  
bonnet to point to a real problem.

Tom

> Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:44:03 -0700
> From: David Forgie <forgied at shaw.ca>
> Subject: [s-cars] Starters and Ignition Switches
> To: s-car-list <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> Message-ID: <cfda8b02c4389.48f07563 at shaw.ca>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> One of the annoying niggling problems with the C4 AAN S4/S6 is the  
> ignition switch.
> It has been the source of at least one recall:
>
> http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/ 
> recallsummary.cfm? 
> rcl_campaign_id=96V017000&prod_id=62103&moduletype=VEHICLE&make=AUDI&m 
> odel=S6&veh_model_year=1995&searchtype=DrillDown
>
> If you missed the recall or it was already done and your ignition  
> switch isn't working right, you need
>  to replace it because it will eventually stick "on" in the start  
> position and ruin your starter.
>
> The ignition switch part number is 4A0 905 849B. DO NOT get the  
> cheap white replacement on this
>  one. Get the Genuine VW/Seat/Skoda/Audi part which should be  
> black.  Make sure you get the
> replacement ignition switch from the dealer.
>
> Here is a good replacement procedure (with photos):
>
> http://forums.audiworld.com/s4s6/msgs/204624.phtml
>
> If you didn't catch the switch and replace it before it failed, you  
> may find that your starter stuck on
> and now the car doesn't start. Don't feel too bad, it has happened  
> alot lately. Here is one example:
>
> http://forums.audiworld.com/s4s6/msgs/229755.phtml
>
> Here is another (with an interesting ignition switch recall story):
>
> http://forums.audiworld.com/s4s6/msgs/6819.phtml
>
> As a result, you will have to replace your starter (not a big job)  
> but PITA (and wallet).
>
> Checking with my part's girl, Kate, the PN for the AAN starter is:
>
> 034 911 023 (with or without an X = rebuilt)
>
> Here is a sign that another 5 cyl Audi starter will work:
>
> http://forums.audiworld.com/s4s6/msgs/39332.phtml  (YMMV)
>
> Checking further with Kate, she says that even a 1988 Audi 200 lists
> a 034 911 023 X along with a 035 911 023 LX (both 1.4 kW). The
> 034 911 023 (with or without the X) always seems to get flagged as
> Bosch.
>
> Hope this helps somebody.
>
> Dave F.