2000 A6 4.2L non turbo. I tried wiggling the ignition switch and I looked at all the fuses. I am perplexed as to why all of a sudden the headlights, wipers and ac-heater blower is not coming on. Car drives normal and starts just fine. Hazards blink and parking lights work. Radio works too!

Any ideas what else to check?

 

Well, all those do go through the ignition switch... have you metered it?

 

I read somewhere it could be a bad switch. But that doesn't make any sense to me. I removed the cover underneath the steering column, checked around and everything looks normal. I found some relays under there and some big fuses but they look new. Nothing burnt. How do you check the ignition switch? is there a changeable electronic part under there? If the switch was bad, will I need a new key and assembly? I don't know where to find a repair manual with this information in it.

 

From what I understand, there is two parts to the switch, the keyed lock and a contactor section. Pin 75 (yel/blk) supplies power to the headlights and would be a good place to check. I'm just going from wiring diagrams though..

 

Thank you, I found the problem. The key and cylinder lock are seperate from the switch/contactor. I seperated the switch/contactor and unpluged a round looking wire harness from its rear. I carefully pry open the plastic switch/contactor and it looks brand new inside. I sprayed it with w-d 40 and blew some compressed air into it. I plugged it back together and tried the switch again with the key to see if the horn/lights/blower/signals work and NOTHING! Then I bang on the end switch with a big *** screw driver ( butt side) and it fukin turns on. What the **** man. I don't have patience for these stupid ****** problems. I can tear an engine and tranny apart and put it back together in no time, and I love doing it.....but when stupid **** like this happens I get frustrated. Now I am wasting time calling advance auto/pepboys/napa/autozone/central auto parts etc,etc,etc.....they are all expensive! $65 bucks for a little frekin thing...unbeleivable

Anyway, as always....thank you for your responses it really helped

 

ecstuning has it for dirt cheap. I got hosed at the dealer about a year ago, but I had to get the car out of a parking lot before they closed.

 

Never spray wd-40 in or on electronics..it not only will eat plastic but totally collect dirt and dust like a magnet..use electronic cleaner spray which actually drys clean and does a better job of cleaning.

 

It costs $70 plus shipping from ECS:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-C5_A6-...itches/ES2172/

$65 seems like a deal



Glad you found it.

 

wow.... i got mine from Ariz Autohaus for $8.78...