Clicking noise in dashboard and knocking sound on transmission lever

[cabrio94]

Hi there all! I want to throw a question out there about a symptom I've noticed on my Audi Cabriolet 1994.

The car has an automatic transmission and it's a 2.8, V6engine.

Description of symptom:

When I turn my key in the ignition switch to the last position before the switch commands the starter (all display lights are turned on in control panel) I hear a mechanical clicking sound in the dashboard just behind the steering wheel. It sounds like a relay clicking or something along those lines. If I push the brake pedal the clicking stops. If I release it, the clicking begins again.

So then I turn the car on (without pushing the brake pedal and the car is in Parking) and I notice the clicking sound continues behind the steering wheel in the dashboard, but then I also hear a new noise occur at my transmission lever on the center console. The noise sounds like a knocking sound (much louder than the clicking in the dashboard).

As soon as I push the brake pedal down both the clicking sound and knocking on the transmission lever disappear. If I release the break pedal the noises return.

So I did another experiment. If I put the car in Reverse, Drive, 1, 2, or 3 there is no clicking or knocking sound with or without enabling the break.

The clicking and knocking sound only occur in Parking and Neutral and when the break is released. And as far as I can tell the transmission works just fine when I drive the car. It pushes the engine to ~3000 rpm before shifting to the next gear. No snags.

Also another caveat: these noises are intermittent. Though they only occur as they described above they don't always occur. It seems that it will happen after I've driven the car for sometime. But sometimes it won't appear at all.

Another observation is that my Anti-lock off signal light on the control panel occasionally will light up. I don't know if that is related to this.

If anyone has see this problem or may have some ideas please respond.

Thanks so much everyone. Please ask if you need any clarifications on my description.

[fourringsrus]

Some of the clonking below your transmission could indicate worn gearbox mountings,or a poorly fitted exhaust system,or subframe bushes as the v6 gearbox mountings are fitted to the subframe.
Alternatively the issue which appears to be break pedal related, and the issue with the anti lock signal may be related to the abs control/pump, sorry I know little about the abs set up but I do recall a previos thread referring to a clonking at start up and that it was something to do with the abs system charging up or re - setting.
Hopefully someone else knows what I'm trying to get at and can clarify/elaborate or confirm what I am almost talking about.
Sorry I can't be any clearer but someone knows what I mean
Good luck

Stuart