Ignition switch failure?

[clickman]

Occasionally when the key is in the starting position, there's a momentary delay before the starter engages. Is this an early symptom of the dreaded ignition switch failure?

thx Norm

'01 Boxster, 5 spd, Seal Grey

[Loren]

Most likely yes.

Especially if you are having any other strange electrical problems.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=493

[liifesfun]

When the switch fails, a common symptom is that the radio doesnt automatically switch off, you may also notice the lights do things like appear not to be on but are in park mode (not bright) and the spring back doesnt work or it feels reversed, that is when swicthing off it wants to "spring off" the OFF position . You may also have remore locking problems depdning on the security system fitted to the car, mine has an aftermarket system and I couldnt lock the car.

Point to note is if this happens the car is "powered up" and if you leave it for a few days you could end up with a dead flat battery.

[mtruck456]

When the switch fails, a common symptom is that the radio doesnt automatically switch off, you may also notice the lights do things like appear not to be on but are in park mode (not bright) and the spring back doesnt work or it feels reversed, that is when swicthing off it wants to "spring off" the OFF position . You may also have remore locking problems depdning on the security system fitted to the car, mine has an aftermarket system and I couldnt lock the car.

Point to note is if this happens the car is "powered up" and if you leave it for a few days you could end up with a dead flat battery.

Do you have to have the switch rekeyed to use your existing keys? How hard is it to DIY

[Loren]

When the switch fails, a common symptom is that the radio doesnt automatically switch off, you may also notice the lights do things like appear not to be on but are in park mode (not bright) and the spring back doesnt work or it feels reversed, that is when swicthing off it wants to "spring off" the OFF position . You may also have remore locking problems depdning on the security system fitted to the car, mine has an aftermarket system and I couldnt lock the car.

Point to note is if this happens the car is "powered up" and if you leave it for a few days you could end up with a dead flat battery.

Do you have to have the switch rekeyed to use your existing keys? How hard is it to DIY

If you replace just the electrical part of the switch then nothing has to be re-keyed or re-programmed.

If you replace the whole lock assembly then you do have to re-program.

[clickman]

What's the Audi or VW part number for the switch?

Can anyone post the link to the detailed instructions for changing the switch (that I can't find)? It included pictures and the whole 9 yards.

thx Norm

'01 5 spd, Seal Grey

[Loren]

What's the Audi or VW part number for the switch?

Can anyone post the link to the detailed instructions for changing the switch (that I can't find)? It included pictures and the whole 9 yards.

thx Norm

'01 5 spd, Seal Grey

I posted the link to the instructions and the full discussion of part numbers 5 posts up.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=493

[70Sixter]

I'm interested in why these things fail. Back in the day the Conventional Porsche Wisdom (CPW) was not to carry other keys or a heavy key chain with your ignition key. Thought was that it stressed the mechanical part of the switch leading to failure.

I have not seen this surface as a possible cause, but cannot help but wonder....

[Tool Pants]

That is what we were told in the old days. But the 986/996 design is such that I cannot see how a heavy key chain would damage the electrical portion of the switch. My 1997 switch failed after a year or two and there was no key chain - just the key.

In Loren's link is a picture of a switch I took apart. A piece of plastic inside the switch had broken off. That can't be due to the weight of a key chain. It is just a crappy switch. And this was the 4th generation switch used by Porsche until Porsche went to a different design.

The mechanics gave me another defectve switch for an autopsy so I can see if it has the same problem.

[Topless]

I'm interested in why these things fail. Back in the day the Conventional Porsche Wisdom (CPW) was not to carry other keys or a heavy key chain with your ignition key. Thought was that it stressed the mechanical part of the switch leading to failure.

I have not seen this surface as a possible cause, but cannot help but wonder....

It's just a cheesy, junky, lame, unreliable, $10 Audi switch that simply doesn't belong on a $40K+Porsche. Honda or Toyota would never allow such a poor design for such a vital part to be installed in any of their cars.

Hello. Is anyone in Stuttgart listening??