Ignition Switch Or ? Questions...

[joee]

This is for a 98 Boxster in which I replaced the ignition switch last year. I replaced just the electrical part using a switch from Autohaus AZ, part number 4A905 849 B, in January of '05.

Over this last weekend at a Porshe club DE the car had some strange behavior associated with the turning of the ignition switch. When I turn the key to on the LCD displays in the instrument cluster went crazy, they flickered between the normal start-up display and the normal run display. Also the warning lights did not all light up. If I turned the key further to the start position the displays and warning lights were normal but I had to turn the key to off and then to on to start the car. Today the car sometimes seems to just stop after it is started. Usually restarts with one or more turns of the key. Other strange behavior is that passenger side window dropped down to the top lowering position once and I was getting false indications of low brake pads and low brake fluid over the weekend. The brake pad senors are tied out of the way and I had plenty of brake fluid.

When I look at the TSB's I see that Porsche recommends replacing whole lock assembly.

And ideas on what's going on?

Seems like a switch failing after a year of use is strange?

Should I replace just the electrical part of the switch again, the dealer has the Audi part in stock?

Should I replace the whole lock assembly?

Any ideas as to possible bigger problems?

It was very hot at the DE, 95+ on Saturday and close to 100 on Sunday. The car ran very well on the track and the way home.

[joee]

I found the old switch last night and reinstalled it. Everything seems to be back to normal. Of course I have to watch this switch to be sure it doesn't act up in the old way again.

[Rolando]

I found the old switch last night and reinstalled it. Everything seems to be back to normal. Of course I have to watch this switch to be sure it doesn't act up in the old way again.

My ignition switch from Autohaus AZ only lasted a couple of months. I got another one from AutoZone (made in Germany) that seemed to be much better. I heard that Audi still uses the plastic switch -this may be a better option.

I said seemed to be because today (after about a year of the last replacement) I could not starte the car :cursing: Lights come on ok but no response to the key turn. I'm praying for a switch problem :( -I'll also try my second key.

[Tool Pants]

There is a made in China switch out there. In the aftermarket and also sold by some dealers. I have also seen it on ebay.

I have no problem with a part made in China, if it works. The German switch is crap after all.

The problem is, the made in China switch also has problems.

[98Boxster98]

I bought an ignition switch on ebay last year and almost exactly one year later I was getting an alarm code for a Terminal 86S problem (no warning lights on the dashboard, just a code seen through the Durametric tool.) I replaced the switch with one bought from an Audi dealer (has Made in Germany decal!) and it got rid of the alarm. We'll see how long it'll last. The guy working the part counter remarked with a bemused look, "Porsche uses these?"

Edited June 2, 2006 by 98Boxster98

[joee]

I went by my local Porsche dealer and purchased a new switch. It is an Audi part, the parts guys said they sell to all the time for the earlier model year Porsches. It looked the same as the Autohaus AZ part I had replaced. Only positive in this is that I am getting to be an expert at changing out the switch....