Corrado VR6 not start, no crank, no spark, nothing. Ignition switch?

[JimyJonz 10]

Firstly I'd like to apologise for filling up the forum with 'Help the noob' threads but I could do with a bit of help with the apparently non-stop issues I'm having with my Corrado.

 

After getting it back from the garage and the auto-electrician on Saturday it all seemed to work fine. Low and behold on the way to work Monday the head unit just cut out, not a big deal I thought it's probably just a loose wire but after checking all seemed fine. I know it gets permanent live as if I press the CD eject it makes a whirring noise but it doesn't switch on fully on any key position.

 

So after work Monday I go to start it to see if the HU is still being weird, all dash lights came up on position 2, windows all worked etc but when turned to position 3 there was no crank, no buzz at all. Its like the immobiliser is on (aftermarket, was in when I bought it so I'm sure of make/model) when it is switched off, so after checking all relays and making sure I couldn't see any obvious wires hanging in the engine bay I called for someone to run the spare key up to me. While I'm waiting I tried a few more times to get it started and for some reason it just starts up and dies again, after a few more tries I managed to keep it going and drove home.

 

I started trawling forums but couldn't find a thread with the same issue that had been resolved. After putting the HU and starting problems together I started thinking ignition switch, and found they're quite a common part to go on C's.

 

So this morning I had the same issue, but managed to start it by leaning on the wheel and pushing the key in fairly hard while keeping revs up for a few seconds to stop it dying. So does the ignition switch sound like the problem to you knowledgeable folk? I'm thinking it could be a loose cable as I had someone fix the horn for me just a few days ago but it might be an idea to replace the switch while I'm doing it. Any help would be appreciated

Cheers

Mitchell

Edited May 14, 2013 by JimyJonz

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Try using paragraphs to make reading easier but yes, sounds like the ignition switch.

[JimyJonz 10]

Much better with paragraphs :thumbleft:Thanks for the quick reply, managed to find a local supplier with one in stock so I'll see if a new switch solves problem tomorrow. Do you think this would be the head units problem too?

Thanks

[Henny 0]

yup, for the £20ish quid and 30 minutes it'll take you to fit one, put a new ignition switch in... they're utter #@£$ and will cause all sorts of problems like you describe if it's on it's way out....

[JimyJonz 10]

Yupp, it was the ignition switch. All sorted now :dance:

Thanks for all the help

Mitch

[Henny 0]

yay! :dance: