Hello all.
I have a 1997 A4 2.8 Manual Trans. There is a problem in the starting circuit. When i turn the key to RUN position all of my electronics work fine, but when i turn the key to start there is no movement from the starter. I changed both the starter and the battery, bypassed all sensors, (clutch, netural safety, etc.) and still no movement. I ran a test light to the starter and it read that I was recieving power to the pos. and all grounds are good. I know it is not the ignition switch because even as I turn the key to start, my test light reads that there is power going to the starter control wire.

I think my problem is a load reduction relay. This is the relay that turns off all other uneeded components during engine starting. I can turn my climate control on high and when i turn the car to start it does not turn off.

To help with my troubleshooting, can somebody turn their climate control on and start there car and tell me if it temporarilly turns off? This would be a big help

Also the Audi dealers I have gone to have tried to tell me that they cannot look up this part. This leads me to believe that this might be the problem and they just want me to bring it in to service. If ANYONE can get me a part # or a location on the relay plate of this relay it would be greatly appreciated.

Not having a car sucks, especically when you have a 2 hour commute every day......

Thanks in advance for all the help!

 

Just tested it - when I turned the key to start, it shut off the climate control for about 5 seconds.

 

Thanks man, Now i just need to find out which relay it is. This is driving me crazy..