Alright, tried the battery it's still a no go. The cars had a recall in 96 for the ignition. Would this cause this. I can see it causing it, but don't understand why it would make it show in 2nd gear all the time. Seems like to me it's the neutral saftey switch.

 

So when you turn the key, the starter is not turning at all, sounds like you are doing nothing?

If so, yes it could be the tranny selector /nuetral safety switch, if it thinks the car is in gear, it probably diasbles the starter.

If you put a new battery in it, and its still thinks its in second gear, sounds like a possibility.

Did you ask the PO if he had any issues with this? Maybe he knew about it........

Anyone else have their car not start due to the transmission selector switch?

 

ok that switch you are talking about is out in my Bmw and it still works but then again 2 different cars i had the same problem a week ago it was the switch to the starter because we had changed the starter and still got nothing my car would only start every now and then and then one day at alum creek it wouldn't start tried jumpin it. nothing i havent had the switch fixed i'v just connected wires to it and hot wire it as a temporary ghetto starter.

 

here's a wiring diagram that may help.

I would take a look at the relays, and any fuses that may be related.

You can check the switch you are talking about with the vag com. So, if the mechanic works on vw.audi, he should have a vag com and be able to verify if that part is bad or not.

If he does not, I'd take it to a vw/audi shop, prefereably an independent one.

 

Below the mileage, it says "In 2"? Thats a service interval indicator and has nothing to do with your car not starting.[sm=icon_rtfm.gif]

 

LOL, yeah that could be, unless his has each gear listed there, but yeah "In 2" is the service indicator!

Could be a bad starter.

If you take off the belly pan, get out your multimeter, andtest the wires to the starter. Have a buddy turn the key on like he's starting it. If you have 12 volts at the starter, and its not turning over, it needs a new starter.

I replaced mine back in the spring. Lifetime Bosch starter, about $175. On mine, I had to loosen the a/c compressor bolts, and swing it out of the way to get room. Then it wasnt to hard to get to once I did that.

 

Could be bad starter. could be bad ignition switch.