Ingition switch HELP... Screws for palstic collar on steering column?

[racecrmike]

Help, Just half way through tearing apart my dash to replace the ignition switch I hit a road block. What tool do I need to take off the plastic collar on the steering column?

I tried a phillips screwdriver and that didn't seem to work. I tried a hex wrench and that didin't seem to work. What works? I'd rather NOT cut it off and glue it back together.

-Mike
'95 A6 FWD 5spd 120k miles

[Muhammad]

[racecrmike]

Okay, then they are phillips. Would I be using a normal size head like you would use for rocker panel screws on a chevy or am I looking to use a really small head screwdriver like you might find on a radio part?

-Mike
'95 A6 FWD 5spd

[Muhammad]

[audijim113]

I took my column and dash apart recently for several reason, inclcuding to replace the ignition switch, as you are. One of my "fixes" was to replace the cruise control switch side of the colum switches. I had a switch assembly from a 95 A6. (mine is a 92 100 CS).

I had the same trouble as you. It turns out the "screw" on mine was hex socket and the one on the 95 assemble was a phillips. I'm just glad it wasn't a damn torx, as the set I have is real sort tips.

The trick is to angle the screwdriver (or hex driver) from the bottom up going towards 10'clock. It's still a pain to find the hole. There's a solution to that, but can't put it on this family rated forum.

By the way, I hope your hands are smaller than my meathooks. Getting the electric part of the switch off requires acrobat manuvers with your hands. By the way, to head off the next problem, the red gook you have to dig out hides two flat blade set screws. Use a fairly small screwdriver blade and they will back out.

Good luck,

Jim

[Wagonmann]

For the ignition switch only. Your car should be on Recall, if not file a complaint with NHTSA.
I think your car is the same as my '97, and you just lower the steering wheel all the way, and work around it. Don't have my bentley here, but I remember it suggests way too much work. See link below. TimI posted several days later with very good additional procedure.
Jim
'97 A6qw
Quattro value package

• http://forums.audiworld.com/a6100/msgs/10899.phtml

[racecrmike]

Thanks for the help. Turns out that a number 2 phillips head long screwdriver worked ( but not easily). Since the screws are hidden, you are working blind. Also they are very thin. I had to -wiggle- the screwdriver constantly while turning in order to get some bite. Even with a craftsman screwdriver.

Once that was taken care of the rest of the procedure was pretty simple.

Pulled out the dash after removing the five phillips head screws. Dash only comes out partway until you undo some connectors.

You MAY also need to pry up on the bottom of the dash after removing the connectors to get it out over the lip of the dash opening above the steering column. I did.

You must untwist a few color coded bulbs ( so you put them back in the right hole when done).

Then you need to unclip some varoius connectors. Be patient. Some you pull on a center purple release to get the apart. some you squeeze to get apart. Some you pry up with a flathead screwdriver to get loose.

Then you can set aside the dash unit and start looking (down) at the ignition switch. Use a bright light to see what you are doing.

(Note) This is an excellent time to replace the dash bulbs. I should have thought of this ahead of time. Do yourself a favor and got the ones with the orange socket already attached from the dealer. No fuss twist on installation.
You will need a small jewlers flathead screwdriver to twist the bulbs out of the dash.

** You will also need this small flathead jewlers screwdriver for the next step on the ignition switch.

Scrape off the red paint from two little set screws on the left and right of the electrical part of the switch. Then push down hard using that flathead jewlers screwdriver until you feel it bite, the carefully back out the screw.- Don't drop it. You will have to use it again for the new switch.

Once you back out both screws, gently pull back on the switch (towards the front of the car), and the cable assembly will just seperate from the key part. Carefully wiggle the old cable assembly/switch out of the dash hole and pop off the old switch by hand. The new switch pops on with keyways as your alignment guide.

Replace in revers order. When screwing in the two little set screws, be carefull not to drop them down in the dash. I didn't, but it could be a big problem late on a Saturday night.

Drop some RTV or paint on the screws after tightening them down securely. The pointed end of the screws point down by the way.

This should prevent them from backing out.

Reassemble the dash and steering column cowl. (#2 long Phillips screwdriver).

Reassemble the knee bolster and wiring protector pad under the steering column.( 10 mm socket with an extension works best here).

Done.

Something else I found out, while driving for a week with a bad switch. If you just turn the key back about a 1/4 inch after starting the car, you will feel a "sweet spot", where the switch would normally rest. This prevents the key from remaining too far to the right, and thus burning out your starter, and preventing the elctrical items from working.

FYI- Ask you dealer for the black switch, vs. the white one. It is built to a higher standard. The one I pulled out was the white one and the nose of the switch was busted. ($30 at Claire).

Total time (with fumbling around) should be about an hour.

-Mike
'95 A6 FWD 5spd, New ignition switch.

[Maini]

[Dewman]

I used a very small flat head screw driver. I didn't have one small enough until I found one in my sons swiss army knife. Make sure it's not too wide.

Just push it threw that red plastic and turn.

The switch may have been replaced via recall once already. However, I don't trust that the dealer did it.

[Wagonmann]

If so, a very small flat blade, bigger than a 3/32 will work, so 7/64" or 1/4"? I just happened to have one in my hand when I did mine. But I have 3 or 4, so it is a standard size. I would bet 1/4" or 5 or 6mm.

Jim
'97 A6qw
Quattro value package
It was perfect today