DB_NC_95C2

ouch, I wish I had done a search....

I was at the local shop this morning having a state inspection on my Mini. While there I mentioned my 993 driver's side door window switch is starting to act intermittently. He said 'you want the cheap crap or OEM'. Without thinking I said OEM, even with a 10% off coupon it was still $45. I said 'why do you stock both', he said some people don't mind crappy frequently-failing switches that cost $15. Oh well, at least I hear it's an easy replacement. Can someone tell me what you use to pry the old one out of the door (I'm assuming something above and something below ?
without screwing up the vinyl trim ? THANKS

jscott82

For what its worth.... I was talking with the parts guy at the dealer awhile back about the premium on 993 parts compared to other models... The example he gave me, window switches.... 993 window switch $50, 964 window switch $20... The only difference is the texture on the lever.

eric523

We stock both at our shop as well. The cheap ones usually last less than a year, you get what you pay for.
Porsche ones last longer and carry a warranty. I always recommend the Genuine Porsche brand, but not everyone wants to pay $50 a switch.

Slow Guy

I no longer have my 993 but the AutoHausAZ ones were still working fine when I sold it in Oct.

BSL

I also got switches from AutohausAZ and they have been working well so far (installed about 6 months ago). I'll see what their longevity is before deciding what the replacement will be when needed.

dcdude

There is a thin flat metal housing that surrounds the back edge of the face of the switch. It has little fingers that wrap around the inside and pinch the vinyl. It serves as the mounting surface for the switch. If you start prying out the old switch with a sharp screwdriver of 1/8" or narrower, your most likely failure point is pulling the housing as well as the switch. This is bad, and undermines the ability of the housing to hold the new switch flush and tight.

So when digging in with the screwdriver, pull the back out slowly until you are only a couple of millimeters behind the face of the switch. At that point you might even feel a small "click" telling your that you've grabbed just the swtich and not the housing as well. Once you're sure that you're free of the housing, you can push back in a bit and use the housing as a fulcrum to help you get the switch out.

-nick

964 switches are the same part number (964.xxx...) and have the same $50 dealer pricetag. I tried an ebay "OEM" and it lasted about a month. Then bought two from the dealer and one just failed after slightly over a year of use. This is an aftermarket gold mine if someone can make a switch that lasts, even for $50 a pop.

brucec59

Fingers.

brucec59

FWIW, I have replaced all of my switches in my nearly 4 years of ownership, some more than once. In fact I have one that needs replacing now. I have purchased OEM and repro. I have not noticed a difference in longevity. So, naturally, I buy the cheap ones now.

aribop

I bought a $12 switch from Ebay and it lasted an entire week!

Live and learn...

MarkD

There are (at least!) 3 grades:

OEM Porsche $45
German $38
Really cheap (most are Asian) $15 or less

The German hold up as well as the OEM Porsche, FWIW
None last as long as a window switch should!

Cactus

Do you guys sell any of these?

samba-lee

What about repairing the "broken" OEM switch ? It's usually just that the contacts are burnt - strip the switch, blast the contacts, reassemble - I've done this on other cars.

Lee

DB_NC_95C2

Thank you for the specific details. This is why I ask questions, because in my bull-in-a-china-shop style I'd have just yanked out the frame as well. Knowing that the frame is there,into which the switch's metal tabs fit, will help whether I try fingers or small flathead screwdriver.

Chuck W.

When I sold the cab the 16 buck swithch was still working. I would still buy a $16 one over an OEM one for $50. However, if I only got a week out of it I would be shelling out $50 for an OEM one!