I only drive my 88 coupe about once a month. The other day I took her out for some exercise and after I drove about 10 miles, I stopped at a station for gas. She was running very well. When I got back in the car after putting gas in it, I turned the ignition and nothing happened, no click or anything. The horn and all of the gauges lit up, but nothing. I recently replaced the battery and I looked at the gauges while I was driving and the alternator was charging 13.5 volts, so I did not think it was the battery. After a little while, a guy offered to jump me. I did not think it would help, but I said OK, can't hurt anything. result: nothing happened (as I expected.) I went and tried to call my wife to bring my truck so I could pull it home since I was only a few blocks from home. I could not contact my wife. I went back to the car to see if I could figure out what was wrong, fiddled with the cables, shifted in and out of "park" a couple of times and the turned the key on and off. I then tried to start it and sure enough, she fired up and I drove home. Now I am totally confused on what caused this and how to fix it. Could it be the ignition switch or the shifter (A4). I have started it at home several times since and it has not happened. Any ideas?

 

Vat system is the first thing that comes to my mind. A neutral safety switch is my second thought

 

I also agree with Pete K on the vat's problem. i had the same thing happen to me, had a new key made, you'll have to find a locksmith that can check the resistance, my no start problem has not come back as of yet. under a no start vat's case, you have to wait 6min. for the system to re-set than try again.

 

Clean the pellets on the key with alcohol. Good to do this once or twice a year. Also huge, heavy key rings tend to spread the contacts open in the ignition switch.

 

I had the same thing happen the other day at a friends house. I did like Pete says, cleaned off the pellet on the key and it started right up.

 

I just looked at the key and the pellets look kind of dirty and worn. I will get a new key made, I'll bet that was the problem, but it had me stumped. That is the great thing about this forum!

A round for the house!