Unpredictable failure; Wipers, Climate Control & Headlights. urS6

[s2_wot]

Another question for all of you.
From time to time my wipers don't work. Always at the same time the climate control, headlights & indicators don't work either.

When I switch the car off and back on again everything works nicely. I'll have to get into the habit of checking because I nearly caused an accident earlier with having no indicators.

The ignition switch on the car is due for replacement, have the part but have no time. When the switch is broken (as it is) it tends to stick in the starting mode and won't spring back. I've always been careful to turn it back once the car is started but maybe it's not returning fully.

Q1: Is there a relay or something that kills power to the wipers, lights & climate control whilst the car is starting up?

Car is a urS6.

[S2central.net]

Root cause sounds like that dicky ignition switch... it is providing power to those modules that you notice failing while driving. Those switches are prone to cause all sorts of badness on S2/S4/S6 from that era.

[s2_wot]

Cheers Paul, off to change the bloomin switch... pm on the way to you about something else

[UrS4boy]

Cheers Paul, off to change the bloomin switch... pm on the way to you about something else

This DIY will help you:

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?p=18927576

BTW, there is a load reduction relay that turns off a bunch of stuff when the key is in the start position and starter is engaged.

[S2central.net]

It is worth checking / changing the X-contact relay but if the ignition switch feels dodgey already I would tackle that first.

[s2_wot]

This DIY will help you:

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?p=18927576

BTW, there is a load reduction relay that turns off a bunch of stuff when the key is in the start position and starter is engaged.

It is worth checking / changing the X-contact relay but if the ignition switch feels dodgey already I would tackle that first.

Thanks men, switch sorted it (I hope). Think I'll do a bit of a write up for RHD cars.

[re2500]

Was also going to suggest dicky ignition switch, get similar symptoms on polos/golfs etc also.

Tho i think on the golfs etc you can test it by turning the wiper switch on with the ignition off and then turn the blowers on, then the wipers should come on. Or something like that, or i could be talking out my *****, cant remember. lol

[s2_wot]

Changing the ignition switch on a urS6 RHD

This took me 3 hours total including time for dinner, trying to find the switch in my stash of parts when it was actually in the glove box, finding the right tools and head scratching.

Read the thread linked above and also this one:

http://www.audifans.com/kb/Ignition_Switch_C4#Replacing_the_Audi_C4_ignition_switch

Disconnect the battery. Be careful out there kids.

Generally following the instructions in either of those threads but with the following additions. When you have the dash cluster removed you can twist it out accross the steering wheel and place it down in the foot well beside you. I put a towel down there to protect the plastic screen. This saved me having to disconnect it at all.



On later cars the 2 little securing screws are hex head. I opened mine with a torx 5, easy when you get past the glue. Do not remove, just loosen.

There's no need to remove the part for the steering lock over the barrell for the autobox. The 2 little screws are completely accessible with it in place. The screws are covered in red paint. You can just see them in this photo. Cars with manual gearboxes will be a little easier.



The broken switch.



The replacement switch is part number 4A0 905 849 B and cost about €40-50 IIRC. A very satisfying little job to have knocked off the list.

[S2central.net]

Well done that man !