Hello all, I am a newbie here from the UK.
I have a 2000 2.8 Quattro Avant. I have recently had some strange goings on, with my dash and with starting.
When I turn on my ignition for the first time, I have dull / pulsating dash lights and the large red STOP brake warning light comes on. The car will turn over perfectly but not fire. If I turn the ignition off and on again, the dash lights are perfect, full strength, no warnings at all and the car fires immediately. I have run a full fault code check ( all 70 odd ECU's on the reader ) and it came back with a camshaft postion sensor bank 2 error ( I have replaced this - no difference ) and an airbag crash position error ( I don't know what this is, so have left it ). Has anyone any ideas ? It is almost as if the ECU isn't connecting properly first time, but second time there is absolutely no problem ?
Please help - the local garage have been helpful so far, but even they are now stumped !

Thanks.
Carnutter5 ( Paul )

 

I'm stumped too.

It sounds like a battery/wiring problem to me but without more information I'm just not sure.

 

Ok ,I have just checked the dash voltmeter and it reads about 12V prior to engine starting and just over 14V when engine fires. I am getting 12.28V across the battery terminals with the engine off. I have just found today that the dash lights are not coming on at all sometimes, but the engine seems to crank over normally, but doesn't start now. I will try putting the battery charger on and see what happens when it is fully charged ?

 

My guess is ignition switch. All the power for your car goes through that switch, so if there is an issue with the switch or the wiring leading to the switch it can cause symptoms like you are having. When it's acting up (weird flickering lights) wiggle the key in the switch.

 

Thanks - tried the ignition switch wiggle and after a few attempts - it worked. So........what's the score with replacement - DIY or dealer only

Progress, at least.

 

Here it is.

Iginition switch

 

OK, Excellent - I'll see how I get on. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

Result !!
Car seems to be back to her old self. I think all my issues were caused by a combination of the cam position sensor and the ignition switch going bad at the same time. All I have to do is get the code for the stereo now. Some idiot swapped the Concert unit in 2004 and didn't bother updating the service book with the new code. A trip to the stealer beckons.........