so i bought a 97 a6 quattro wagon in may last year and it's been nothin but problems... bought it for 2100 and have replaced, both lower and upper oil pan gaskets, rear axel seal, heater core, thermastat, coolint resvoir, tires, egr valve (which is still unplugged cuz when it's plugged in the car runs like ****...) well now i'm having problems with startin my car... have been reading about a recall for a4's wondering if it'll work on my a6... lol when i can turn my car on it gets stuck in the start position.. so i turn it into the right position but if i turn it to far on accident it shuts my car off and it's a pain to get it to start again... so my first question is can someone give me directions on how to fix this? like step by step... and my second question is i think my wiper motor went out... i can see it... i think... how do i replace it? don't have the money or a job to take it to a mechanic so i gotta do it myself... please help!

 

I just changed out the ignition switch on my '99 A6 Avant. The switch failed (burned) causing terminal #31 to lose contact. This resulted in no headlamps, wipers, turn signals & HVAC fan. The job took less then an 1 hour and that was only due to the need to find a new terminal to repair the wire harness. Search within this forum for a 'How To' write up. This appears to be a pretty common problem. If you are comfortable working around SRS omponents, take it to a professional.

 

Murphy -- You need to get a new switch -

You also need to get VagCom, Bentley, Epic, and a cambar with crank locking pin.
Believe me - I know. I had a 97 Avant -96 Q, 86 90 Q, 89 200QT and lots of headaches.
All went over 200K with the 200QT going 350K.

 

I could have bet there's a complete DIY (with pics) somewhere around for the C4s, but I really can't find it. Lived under the impression that I posted some pics in a thread somewhere when I replaced mine. On AudiWorld there's only a write-up for a C5, with the tumbler located in the steering column.
Hmmm, I'm baffled... I guess I'm losing my mind...
In any event, the following should help you:
http://s-cars.org/site/archives/808
You'll have to remove the instrument cluster, which is pretty easy. Behind where you stick the key in you'll find the switch. There are two small screws that hold it in place, which you don't have to take clear out. Just loosen'em up good.
I remember I had to use a jewelers' screwdriver. It isn't very much room in there and you'll see what I'm talking about.