1999 A6.

Turn the key to ign I and the dash lights come on as normal. No unusual lights. Battery at 12V+. But when trying to start the car, NOTHING happens. No cranking, but the dash lights are still on. Sometimes it takes 3 tries and finally it fires up strongly. Sometimes it takes 15 times and then fires up strongly. Sometimes no problems at all.

It doesn't matter if it's cold starts or hot starts, but it does it randomly.

It seems very much as an immobilizer problem as if the reader is dirty, BUT since this is a 1999, it doesn't have an immobilizer, so what could be the problem?

Thanks guys!!

 

If the fault was that the car was starting & then after a few moents cutting out, it would most likely be an immobiliser fault. However, as you say, you model doesn't have an immobiliser as such. From past experience with this sort of problem, I'd say it's most likely the reading coil that is not recognising the transponer signal from your keyfob. I'd maybe try using a different key. If the problem still persists, then it's not the transponder in the fob, but most likely the ignition reading coil.