Bernie

Hey Folks,

So, completely by accident today I discovered the source of my intermittent electrical problems. It turns out that it is the ignition switch. It seems to have a deadzone when the car is started. I have play back and forth on the key when the car is in the run position.

Sometimes its my brake lights, sometimes my cooling fan, sometimes my power windows and sometimes my headlights.

Are these switches rebuildable? Having never taken one apart, I thought I would get some opinions and even some pics of the switch taken apart if available?

TIA
Bernie

ROG100

Not rebuildable - only use the Porsche supplied switch as the after market ones are crap.
964 613 012 00 - our price is $83.74.

Bernie

Well there's your answer right there Bern!

This is just the electrical part of the assembly correct?
Will this firm up the key and get rid of the play or will that remain?


Cheers
Bernie

jwillman

I have a similar issue. The ignition switch positions are a bit flaky, no firm detents, and I have to manually return the key to the run position after starting or lights and other accessories will not work.

Is this the key lock part or the electrical ignition switch part?

Bernie

Its the electrical portion that is on the back as far as I can tell?

The tumbler arrangement is separate so you don't have to replace everything.

James Bailey

That is the electric switch which is what has the return springs etc. Note they can fail in such a way as to start the car !!!! I had one crank the starter as it was falling apart.

Bernie

Mine is giving me endless amounts of amusement as it decides which electrical items should work and when......

Th Dude

Yes, that sounds quite amusing indeed. It is that very attitude, Bernie, that shall see you through the "dark" times.

smorris

or they can fall apart and cross the power supply starting a small fire and burning out your fuse panel....

ask me how. and how much fun it is rewiring a 928's fuse panel!

WallyP

The link from the lock to the switch can be worn, so that is an additional item to check.

pcar928fan

My S4 did all kinds of strange things when that wore out! There was no rhyme or reason to them and they appeared to be totally unrelated!

Landseer

FWIW, here's a glimpse inside one.
I don't know where/how they fail.
This one was ok, but came apart during an unrelated shop incident.

tlsmith1999

+1
The cheaper ones on eBay sucks. Also remember to disconnect the btty before attempting to replace it. If it falls apart as you remove it it can start the car, causing it to jump forward if in gear. BTDT have the bump on my head from the bottom of the pod to prove it.

rexpontius

If the springs are not snapped of, the switch is rebuildable.

I replaced my switch with an aftermarket one, which failed after 1(!) day! The quality of the aftermarket part is really crap. When it fell apart, my car also started and kept running the starter motor. Really a scary moment.

Because I needed to move the car I decided to open up the old (original 25 yrs old) switch very carefully.
After cleaning up the contact points and putting some new grease in, the switch works perfect again!

This is what I really love about this car, so many parts are 'fixable' instead of replaceble.
Few weeks ago I also took apart the defrost ****/switch, which is also a work of art with small springs and contacts. It takes some time and fiddling, but they are fixable.

wessideg

These switches are indeed able to be brought back from the dead, I can't speak to how log it will last, but I have had success so far (once I figured out how to put it back together)

Wes