OK, I have a little problem. My 01 A8L wont start, I am leaning towards the transmission safety switch, but not sure. I drive it daily and never a single problem, never hard started or anything, then I parked it at my dads for Thanksgiving and went to start it to go home and nothing. Everything seems to work except the engine doesn't do anything. The lights all light up on the dash the stereo works the auto headlights adjust to center, but the engine makes no sound. I read my manual and checked the immobilizer light, it comes on when you try to start it but never blinks. I even tried the plastic emergancy key, same outcome. I towed the car home, chedked all the fuses, all were good, and replaced the battery, still no start. I started my 98 A8 and shut it off in gear, then tried to restart it in gear, it seams to act the same, the only difference is that you can't remove the key when it is in gear. Please any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated, I can't get it to a shop until mid January, and it would kill me to pay $1000's if it ends up being something stubid that I could have fixed. I do have some mechanical ability, I co my own brakes, oil changes, spark plugs and the like on these cars. I have played with old Impalas and done everything on them, but this in no Impala. Thanks for any help

 

it sounds like the safety solenoid valve,turn the ignition switch step on the brake pedal and listen for clikimg noise at athe same time it suppose to come from the shifter area,if there is none moste likely the brake pedal switch is mallfunctioning.you sayd you have another a8 if you want try to swap the switches .the re is nothing wrong with your car it is a very simple issue

 

where is the solinoid?

 

I opened up the relay cluster under the passenger front fire wall. There a about 10 different relays and solinoids as well as a couple of fuses. Nothing seemed to be labeled. I tried to start the car again and get at least 3 different clicks from that area. Does this mean anything to anyone? Please help.