Help- Can't Start - A4 Lockout?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 790
Likes: 7
From: Denton TX
Help- Can't Start - A4 Lockout?
I think that somewhere, somehow, I screwed up, but I need help determining where.
I removed the console and the shifter mechanism for my A4. I was looking for an opening to route my wide band harness through. After checking it out I decided this would not be a good place to route the harness so I put the shifter back in and tried to start the car just to make sure the linkage all worked right.
But now I can’t start the car. In addition with the key on I can take the car out of park without touching the brake. Did I somehow screw up the adjustment of the A/T lockout solenoid?
If I understand what I read in the manual the solenoid connector should be getting voltage with the key on when in park. It does not get any voltage. I checked the number 6 fuse in the BCM fuse block and it’s good so it’s not a blown fuse.
Does anyone know what I could possibly have hosed up by removing the shifter and putting it back in?
I removed the console and the shifter mechanism for my A4. I was looking for an opening to route my wide band harness through. After checking it out I decided this would not be a good place to route the harness so I put the shifter back in and tried to start the car just to make sure the linkage all worked right.
But now I can’t start the car. In addition with the key on I can take the car out of park without touching the brake. Did I somehow screw up the adjustment of the A/T lockout solenoid?
If I understand what I read in the manual the solenoid connector should be getting voltage with the key on when in park. It does not get any voltage. I checked the number 6 fuse in the BCM fuse block and it’s good so it’s not a blown fuse.
Does anyone know what I could possibly have hosed up by removing the shifter and putting it back in?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Alton Illinois
my guess would be that you maybe dislodged a wire or screwed up a connector somehow. did you go back and check for loose wire? you may have checked already but do you have any codes? i havent been into the area so i really cant guess. just trying to help out and at least bump you to the top for another round. sounds like something i would do! ie make things worse while trying to make things better!
good luck!
good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Bonita Springs Fl
I think that somewhere, somehow, I screwed up, but I need help determining where.
I removed the console and the shifter mechanism for my A4. I was looking for an opening to route my wide band harness through. After checking it out I decided this would not be a good place to route the harness so I put the shifter back in and tried to start the car just to make sure the linkage all worked right.
But now I can’t start the car. In addition with the key on I can take the car out of park without touching the brake. Did I somehow screw up the adjustment of the A/T lockout solenoid?
If I understand what I read in the manual the solenoid connector should be getting voltage with the key on when in park. It does not get any voltage. I checked the number 6 fuse in the BCM fuse block and it’s good so it’s not a blown fuse.
Does anyone know what I could possibly have hosed up by removing the shifter and putting it back in?
I removed the console and the shifter mechanism for my A4. I was looking for an opening to route my wide band harness through. After checking it out I decided this would not be a good place to route the harness so I put the shifter back in and tried to start the car just to make sure the linkage all worked right.
But now I can’t start the car. In addition with the key on I can take the car out of park without touching the brake. Did I somehow screw up the adjustment of the A/T lockout solenoid?
If I understand what I read in the manual the solenoid connector should be getting voltage with the key on when in park. It does not get any voltage. I checked the number 6 fuse in the BCM fuse block and it’s good so it’s not a blown fuse.
Does anyone know what I could possibly have hosed up by removing the shifter and putting it back in?
Good luck with the rest of your troubles. Robert
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 790
Likes: 7
From: Denton TX
I know why
Well sometimes it helps to sleep on it. Last night I started thinking about this and realized I was looking in the wrong location. Yes, there is an ignition key lockout selonoid located in the shifter but this only locks the key so you can't remove it when the car is in gear.
The park/neutral switch is located back in the rear on the trans. The reason the car would not start was because it was not in neutral or park. And why was that? Because I snapped the control cable going back to the trans when I had the shifter out.
The service manual warns that when removing the shifter one should be very careful because the cable is very stiff and does not tolerate much movement. But when I removed it I twisted it to the left so I could see under it and I am sure that is when it broke because at that moment I heard a pop.
The cable is only $69 bucks and it will have to be replaced. It should be finished by Thursday. And by the way if I get under the car and use a wrench to put the trans in park it will start.
The reason the key lockout was not getting voltage was because the park/neutral switch was not closed. Note to self; even if the job looks simple RTFM before you do the work, not after.
On well, live and learn.
Thanks for the input guys.
The park/neutral switch is located back in the rear on the trans. The reason the car would not start was because it was not in neutral or park. And why was that? Because I snapped the control cable going back to the trans when I had the shifter out.
The service manual warns that when removing the shifter one should be very careful because the cable is very stiff and does not tolerate much movement. But when I removed it I twisted it to the left so I could see under it and I am sure that is when it broke because at that moment I heard a pop.
The cable is only $69 bucks and it will have to be replaced. It should be finished by Thursday. And by the way if I get under the car and use a wrench to put the trans in park it will start.
The reason the key lockout was not getting voltage was because the park/neutral switch was not closed. Note to self; even if the job looks simple RTFM before you do the work, not after.
On well, live and learn.
Thanks for the input guys.
