Ignition and cranking circuit dead but other circuits OK

[jeupham]

My 2006 Golf GTi Mk5 is suffering a strange problem.

The key fob operates the central locking, the cigar lighter, interior lights, air conditioning and other things work OK.

The red dash text appears when the door is opened.

However, key in the ignition and turning has no effect, no dashboard lights appear and the engine does not crank over.

A few days ago I was getting a strange fizzing noise when turning the key in the ignition.

This noise has now gone and the ignition circuits are dead.

Battery is fine at 12.6V

I'm guessing  a fault in the ignition barrel or cables going to it.

Are the ignition circuits fused?

Many thanks for your help!

[DBXdarkangel]

First rule of thumb should be check fault codes to see if its thrown a faulty code.

[jeupham]

How would I see a fault code? Would I need to purchase a fault code reader?

[LC5F]

I agree with always checking for fault codes first, but this sounds like it may not even have ignition to energise a code reader.

Where was the fizzing noise coming from? - let's just hope you don't drive James May around with his fizzing chap!

Any burnt smells? - the actual ignition switch is on the other side of the steering column from the key, maybe a good sniff around there.
If the switch did self-combust, I would be more concerned about what caused it to fail.

Give these a go - try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes and touch the positive & negative cables together to discharge any static - sometimes this can provide a temporary fix to electrical gremlins.

[DBXdarkangel]

A cheap cable off fleabay will do the basics to at least see if there's any fault codes.
Long gone are the days of fault finding and chucking hundreds at a car only to find it didn't fix the issue.
Vcds cable or similar should point you in the right direction of the fault.

[jeupham]

I think I have sussed it.

The noise was coming from the KL15 / 460 relay which is for the starter motor and ignition circuits.

I'll replace it shortly and report back.

The alternative is the 469 relay which is for the fuel pump but I don't think so.

John