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2005 Audi A6 Quattro

Question: Car doesn't start but MMI, lights, seat memory etc works fine

Question

Yuriy, 3.2L V6, Waltham, MA, October 19, 2009, 20:19
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 Rookie

Have a problem starting my Audi A6. I'm putting a key to the ignition but nothing is happening, no engine check, no usual activity. Otherwise, everything works fine, MMI system, lights, seats memory etc. Please any advice?

Update: I've tried different keys, even the plastic one. Got nothing. Have to tow the car to the dealer. Another problem - couldn't release gear shift to a neutral and steering wheel was locked too - had to drag it on flat bed truck with all wheals blocked. Than 6 men from Audi dealer service tried to get it out from the truck. Finally trick the gear shifter to neutral, but car won't roll. Had to use some silicon lubricant and push it to slide from the truck flat bed. Waiting for dealer specialist reply.
Updated: Steering column replacing required. Audi Dealer couldn't find it in states, so order one from Germany. Waiting for replacement.

5 Answers
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  • Answer #1

    lawrenceg October 20, 2009, 15:29
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     Master

    Hi,
    You will need to have the diagnostic codes read out, this may be a part of the immobilizer system and reading out the codes will help to answer that question.
    Do you have any other keys for the car and have you tried them?

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  • Medium-star Best Answer
    some guy October 31, 2009, 08:39
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     Journeyman

    does the steering wheel lock and/or release? a fault in the colum lock prevents key on power from flowing. you may need a steering column. please check your owners book for the emergency shifter release in the ashtray area.

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    some guy, November 22, 2009, 13:26
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     Journeyman

    told ya...boy i'm good

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  • Answer #3

    Visitor, October 21, 2010, 13:47

    The ECU is failed

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  • Answer #4

    Visitor, December 01, 2010, 14:29

    Hi Yuriy, I had EXACTLY the same problem with my 2005 Audi A6. Dealer told me that the onboard computer cannot identify the smartkey anymore. Needs a new transponder but in order to replace the transponder, the entire steering column needs to be replaced! Costs: $2,000. Wanted to ask you if you had any problems before that may have caused this. Audi lost a class action suit with regards to a rooftop leak. I had this problem and water entered the interior, even though the rooftop was closed. Since then, the MMI failed first, now the transponder fails. Want to check whether this could be related to the rooftop leak and whether I can claim it under the class action suit?

    ps. One thing I learned is that this will be my last Audi.

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    Visitor, December 01, 2010, 20:01

    Hi. Didn't have any problems before. But, I'm the second owner - bought it 2 years ago, 30k miles. Steering column has been replaced (covered with my Extended Warranty) - did cost me a time only. After that have a trunk leak - sealing replacement - free also.
    About roof leak - I received notice - owner manual adjustment - moonroof drains should be cleared every 40k miles now.
    P.S. - Don't give up on Audi - One thins I learned - get an Extended Warranty and enjoy this car. It needs constant maintenance.

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    Visitor, December 07, 2010, 07:08

    I just experienced the same problem (2005 A6) and had to have the entire steering column replaced ($2,000.00). I asked why the entire column had to be replaced since the problem was only with the electronic module. The dealer told me that the module was part of the column and couldn't be seperated. The column was $1,200.00 of the cost, so I asked for and was given the old column by the dealer.
    I came home, and within 5 minutes, I had removed the module from the old column (2 screws and 1 rivet).
    Why did Audi charge me for an entire new column and $700 labor to remove and replace it?
    I feel that Audi turned what essentially was a switch replacement into a major repair.
    Is there some legal recourse?
    Ken

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    Visitor, January 29, 2011, 12:40

    Everything said above is spot on. I just had the same experience with my used 2005 A6. Only had it a week when one day I went to start it and no go. MMI would light up, but nothing on the dashboard and car didn't even try to crank over. Towed it to Audi dealer, they said it was the transponder in the steering column that recognizes the key, and yes, the whole steering column had to be replaced, cost me $1800.

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  • Answer #5

    Reins October 08, 2011, 09:41
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     Rookie

    I had the exact same thing happenned to me on my 2005 Audi A6 recently. It was a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) with an extended warranty that expired 3 weeks before I had this problem. The dealer had to replace the steering column and charged me $1,700 to do it. The steering column itself was $1,250 and the rest was labor and taxes. On top of this, add the towing charges. No small change. There is no way around this one, believe me, I tried. I have the repair manual for the 2005 A6 and in the manual, Audi spells it out very clearly that the steering column has no serviceable parts. I got the old part from the dealer, and the screws for the steering lock module are the one-way type (you can't unscrewed them, at least not without using a brute force approach). The one other solution is to try to get a steering column from a junk yard, but I wasn't sure if this was going to be more pain than gain. I don't have the software to re-program the keys.

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