Intermitent wipers/indicators/heater fan don't work (1996 1.8 petrol)

[stewburt]

When I start the car, the wipers, indicators and heater fan don't work. This continues until I turn off the engine. Usually on restarting they work OK, sometimes not.

My father verified that when the problem occurs there is no voltage to the rear indicators, and that when all is well there is 12.4 (same as voltage across battery). He says this proves there isn't an earth problem. He then thought of relays, put his hand in and waggled them all. This *seemed* to cure it for 3 days, but now it's back.

I've noticed the 3 fuses for these 3 components are all located next to each other in the top left hand corner of the fuse box. Could that be significant? A work colleague suggested a dry joint on the fuse box PCB (assuming they are mounted on a PCB) - I've not checked this out yet.

Possibly related is another fault where the car starts but cuts out after 2 seconds. Again this is intermittent - on another forum someone said this sounded like an immobiliser fault. As I say I don't know if the faults are related.

Thanks for any advice at all.
Regards
Stewart

[a4avante]

I think i might have a simular problem with my A4 avant 1997 tdi. Sometimes indicators, wipers, horn, etc dont work and switching off the car seems to reset all these and they work again. If and when i get to the bottom of this i will let you know.

Thanks

Jay

[GWA497]

This might be a shot in the dark, but it may be the ign switch. They are notoriously bad on these.
After you have started the car and the key is in the running position, try turning it back to wards the off position slightly and see if this solves the problem. If it does then the ign switch will need replacing.
I had a similar problem and it burnt out the starter eventually.

Might not be the cause but worth a try.
Good luck

[Crasher]

Ignition switch or X relay.

[a4avante]

This might be a shot in the dark, but it may be the ign switch. They are notoriously bad on these.
After you have started the car and the key is in the running position, try turning it back to wards the off position slightly and see if this solves the problem. If it does then the ign switch will need replacing.
I had a similar problem and it burnt out the starter eventually.

Might not be the cause but worth a try.
Good luck

Spot on

My mechanic has just had a look and he said it needs a new ignition switch.

Many thanks

[TALL65]

1997 a4 1.9 tdi
The same happened to me and it was the ign switch the casing had broken causing the return spring to fail( cost me £10.50) well done to all this saved me a fortune in garage bills as i fixed it my self.

[stewburt]

Thanks, your diagnosis of a faulty ignition switch was exactly right.