Audi Repair: A4 Starting Problems, spring work, vapor lock

Question
QUESTION: I own a 97 A4 1.8T Sport.I am experiencing some starting problems recently where the car will start and immediately cut out.  I try to start it a few times and I get the same result.  If I open and close one of the doors or get out set the alarm and get back in the car it then seems to start.  The problem does'nt happen all the time but it allways seems to happen at the wrong time.  I only have the engineers key to the car but I have had years of problems free driving up until this.  I hope you can help

ANSWER: I need some more information on this one.  Does this happen when the engine is warm or cold, any extra specifics that may help the diagnosis will be useful.  If the car starts and immediately cuts out, normally is a vapor lock in the fuel supply, although by your description above it sounds like there is an electrical side to this.  My first item to check would be the ignition switch itself, by verifying the power is there in the 'run' position as well as in the 'start' position.  If that checks out then it may be worth checking the relays like the ignition relay and fuel relays.  let me know,

Jan

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for the quick reply. it can happen at any point whether the engine is hot or cold.  I just drove it home and it started straight away where as yesterday morning it took me about 6 attempts to get it going.  I am considering taking it to main dealer to diagnose but it costs so much money to do this so any further help would be appreciated.  I did find a forum where somebodyhad the same problem but it was onld one and closed so I could'nt find the solution.

Answer
You mention that it took 6 attempts to get it going; that means each time it starts when cranked but then stops when you return the key to the run position?  There was a recall on the ignition switches in that time period, does the switch return spring work properly to return the key from start to run?  Also check that when the car is running, if you wiggle the key does the engine cut out?