Hi all
I have a '96 a6 non quatro wagon that won't crank
I've tried the following
1. starting it in nuetral
2. replacing the ignition switch.
3. swiching out the battery and jumpstarting ( car seems to have plaenty of juice)
4. Rapping on the starter selinoid ( starter never gave me any signs of trouble)
5. Locking and unlocking the car several time
6. Checked fuses and relays that I know of, drivers side of dash and drivers side under the hood
7. bridging the starter selionoid with the ignition on

Is there a starter relay somewhere? It just seems like there's no juice getting to the starter
Does anyone have addtional thoughts on this
Thanks

 

I guess I'm looking for the location of the starter interlock relay j207
Please help

 

The starter interlock relay provides the signal from the ignition switch, it applies 12V to the starter relay which activates the main power directly from the battery. If the interlock relay wasn't working the car wouldn't crank, which is possibly your problem. Its much easier to diagnose with a DVOM (multimeter). Pull the panel off under the steering wheel and see if you can locate a 4 pin relay, its usually grey. Check what color the signal wire is at the starter, its usually red with a black stripe. Find the relay that has that wire going into it then test with an omh meter from that wire to the starter. If you have continuity, you have found the correct relay. First test the resistance of the relay, if thats good take your relay to your car battery and jump the 85 and 86 pins on the relay, you should hear a click. If it doesn't click the coil in the relay is shot and thats your problem. You should also check the volt drop or resistance of the main power wire to the starter. If both of these check out ok, and you have already replaced the ignition switch you have yourself a bad starter.


Good luck.

 

Thanks for responding
I found the addtional relays under the knee bolster and when I turn the ingnition switch I can hear an feel the last relay to the right click. I'm assuming this is the starter interlock rely althougth on the lengend on the backside of the knee bolster it refers to some diesle application which I don't have. I thought these relays were marked a J207. This was not. I think it read 208
Any way a visual inspection of the starter shows some pretty corroded wires in particular the short lead that i think grounds out to the casing
I guess i must have a bad starter althought there was never any indication it was failing
Jeff

 

Very well could be, put your volt meter on the ignition lead (ignition switch wire) and have someone crank it for you to see if you get 12V's. If there is 12v's at that starter you know the relay and ignition switch is working fine.