missmy993

OK, so I put the key in the ignition switch and it felt kind of mushy, I started the car pulled the key out and now the key will not go in. I also noticed that the steering lock is not working. With the key out I can turn the steering wheel lock to lock.

I have searched the board and found that the ingition switch is a known problem.

Does this sound like the problem that the $20 diy fix can take care of??

Any help is appreciated.

Car is 99 C4 w/ 90K miles.

redridge

yes.... check out rentech diy section.... R&R it before you get stranded somewhere...

missmy993

Here is how the story ends: finally got key in with a lot of force, drove to dealer. one new
Ignition Switch, Steering Lock Assembly Only, LATE-STYLE, 996 Carrera 2/4 (1999-05), 996 Turbo (2001-05), Boxster/Boxster S (1997-04)
part # 996-347-017-07
and all is good. I'm $480 lighter. One thing that gets me about auto techs is how they charge the book time but finish much faster. The labor charge was around 3 hours, in 1 hour the job was done, the car was washed and in the lot ready to go.
I found a DIY to install this part, did not look too hard but I wanted it done today.

TheGoodLife996

Had a local install one for 200 in Dallas. This seems to be a common problem, and probably wouldnt hurt to have a spare handy along with the DIY instructions for when it happens again. This is the 2nd replacement for me and both had different sympotms before the went out.
1st. difficulty getting the key in and out of starter and would not click.
2nd one, a/c and lights were not coming on when car was running.

fpena944

Next time remember it's often the switch itself that is bad and can be purchased for I think about $40. Installation can be done in less than 30 minutes (10 minutes if you've done it once before!). I just had to do mine about 4-5 months ago.

ivangene

so a point of data on these.

Yesterday I cut an assy in pieces and had a look into why this happens and although I cannot be for certain I CAN tell you what is going on. There is a "cam" that turns with the key. The cam pulls the lock mechanism away from lock and allows it to retrack back to lock. In the lock mechanism there is a spring loaded pin (and for the life of me I have no idea why its there) but when the parts either become worn to the point of allowing a little extra travel, or the spring that puches the locking pin back in place ?moves? (this was tough to tell if it is the problem because you have to destroy the part that holds the spring to see it) but anyhow..... when the locking pin retracts "too far" that spring loaded pin come out of the cam housing and gets stuck outside (since its spring loaded it wont go back in)

once it is out, that assy is done.

The "fix" would be to put some sort of a hard stop on the locking pin so it cannot retract to the point that pin gets outside the cam....for $400 I would try a fix myself... but for a dealer/indy there is just no way. To much time, effort and not really sure the cure would elliminate the problem.

Anyone have a spare they want to ship to me, I will pay shipping and try to fix it.

Maybe I will post a quick video of the workings - pretty simple and pretty dumb whats going on...

redridge

this switch is gonna fail.... its just a matter of when. Wonder if the 997 switch would work, it gotta be better than the 996.

gota911

Ferd, don't let the 997 guys hear you say that ^ because then they will have 3 things (1. headlights, 2. interior, 3. ignition switch) to criticize about the 996!

ivangene

THAT'S IT???

Gawd, double the price (or more) and all that is better is the headlights, interior and ignition switch?)

so if you gut the car for a track toy you're down to headlights and ignition switch... and add several hundred pounds and make it tall and clumbsy - pretty lame IMO

AndyK

I've had a new ignition switch sitting in my to-do cabinet since I bought the car in '07! Looks like a major PITA to get in there and swap it out. My switch is a little mushy, and hard to turn, but still works fine otherwise.

10 minutes once you know how to do it??

ivangene

there are two differant "ignition switch" repairs
1 is a little socket
the other is the entire assy (much longer repair)

Divot

PM sent.

aron in toronto

Yep it really is a 10-15 min job if you are just replacing the electrical portion if the ignition switch, which happens to be the most common part to fail.

Porsche now replaces the entire ignition assembly with the steering column lock which is a more involved and costly repair.

For DIYrs you can buy the switch through your VW or Audi dealers for less $$ than the the P dealer or for even less $$ (~$9) online at places like AutohausAZ.

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...ition%20Switch

fpena944

If your hands can fit in the area, all you have to do is remove the air condtioner ducting from the bottom part of the dash on the driver's side and you can access the switch from there. No removing anything else is needed so literally it can be done in minutes.

ivangene

iin my explaination the $9 wont help...if you have the problem of not being able to remove the key... THAT is not the electrical part


??? RIGHT ???

symptons for the electrical are not starting issues IIRC (someone confirm)