help - ignition switch & resultant battery problem?

[darconi]

Thanks in advance for any help on this matter!

So got a 2001 Boxster S that just recently had a problem with the ignition switch where the key had a hard time going in and certain electrical things didn't work unless I dialed back the key a bit. Looked it up on here and it seems like the typical ignition switch problem and had info on how to get that fixed. Great!

Then I had to do some business traveling and a couple weeks later, finally came back. I ordered the part from autohausaz and should be getting it in the next few days. So far the needed repairs seemed all normal but today I went to try and start it up anyway even with the minor ignition switch issue to check the underdash area I have to repair. It wouldn't start up at all.

I read that the ignition problem could cause the car to keep some of its electrical systems running so ok maybe its just a dead battery from that. I jumped the hood release to access the battery and then hooked up the battery to my other car like I did before. It wouldn't start up...at all. Even with the other car attached, I couldn't power the lights, no dash lights came up, NOTHING worked. This is after a full battery only a couple of weeks ago.

Now this is a BRAND NEW battery, less than 2 month old (had to replace the orig dead battery a couple months ago) so it should take a charge right? Is it that the battery drained and the faulty ignition switch is not allowing me to start it again or is there something much more serious going on here?

Anyone got any ideas? I'm starting to get very frustrated by the somewhat less than ideal reliability of porsches nowadays...

[Loren]

You need a new ignition switch - it is a common problem on the older cars.

Replacing the Ignition Switch DIY

[darconi]

You need a new ignition switch - it is a common problem on the older cars.

Replacing the Ignition Switch DIY

Loren, thanks for the ref. I figured that the ignition switch was definitely a problem but is there any explanation for the resultant battery problem as well or was it just a bad confluence of events?

[Loren]

A bad ignition switch could cause a battery drain - if the wrong parts are shorted and always on.