Dave Crellin

In all my years of P-car ownership, all models have needed regular window switch replacement.

It's not a big problem, but are there any more robust alternatives to the unreliable original design?

Simon Shearer

I've posted about this before and never heard anyone reply that there was a more robust replacement (or any replacement at all). It is the same switch as used on an Audi (but they're no cheaper). I am at the stage where I keep a couple on hand (about $36 each). Over the past four years I've had to have replaced 10 (between both p-cars).

You'd think Porsche's engineers might have done a better job, especially as they must have been a warranty nightmare over the years (at least from '89 to '98).

I actually got quite good at repairing them - you can get them apart but it isn't easy, and depending on the internal damage, a little super glue will fix some problems.

graham_mitchell

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"> Simon Shearer wrote:
Over the past four years I've had to have replaced 10 </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">In 3 years of p-car ownership, I have never had a problem with them. I wonder which experience is more typical?

jw97C2S

You may want to purchase them at Sunset Porsche for about $16 each.
Jim

Pete in DC

I've blown through 3 in the past two months. Never had a prob with my 89 C4. Absurd.

STLPCA

3+ yrs of daily use, incl frequent window cycles, & no problems. Just what are you guys doing that kills your switches?

David in LA

I've also never had to replace any window swithches on both of my 993s...I've had one for 3 years and the other for 5. Could it be an electrical current/surge issue, or perhaps water shorting them?

Ben in Plano, TX

I've replaced 6-8 switches.

2 distinct issues.

1) Switch shorts electrically - no longer operates window.
2) Cheap plastic internals in switch break - sometimes you can wiggle it to make it work - other times must be replaced immediately.

I bought my first 3 and since have had all replaced under 2 year (1 year?) warranty parts replacement.

As for why they break so often... well I don't use my AC much so I have the windows up and down a lot. Might just be an issues of frequency of usage. Certainly the driver's side go more frequently.

And of course group statistics are meaningless for any single user's experience - so it's entirely possible that I have had 10 failures and Dan 0. My shop tells me this is a VERY common issue at least going back to the 964.

Ben

Flopbuster

I have had to replace about 6 in 18 months on my 993.

I can verify that they are a very poor design and/or build quality.

I know that I am very cautious with how I use mine, but they break.

You have to keep at least 1 spare if you don't want to be caught with the window down at the wrong time.

Just a word of caution, the passenger and driver's switch for passenger window are on a circuit so if one of them busts, you can't close the passenger window.

PC replace mine now under warranty after I bought my initial replacements.


Pete.

993MSJ

I too have had to replace two switches in the last year. As FLOPBUSTER states above, my passenger window was completly out even from the drivers side control. Thank God I had the window "up". Pretty cheap piece of equipment along w/ the door click...CE light on......Dont' get me started !!
):

Bob D.

I have never had a window switch break on my prior 964 or on my current 993. Maybe I have just been lucky, as I too use my windows much more then air conditioning.

There are, however, sturdier replacement switches. When the search function comes back, check for a prior post from me with a link to an advertisement for some. No affiliation, I just came across the ad and passed along the information to someone who was interested. My memory is a bit fuzzy, but they may have been on eBay; if so, I think it was recent enough that the link should still work. Good luck.

Tito

Another vote for poorly designed window switches.
They are virtually disposable items on mine. One switch a year so far.
I wonder if it is the way I press the switch : slightly sideways and down/up as opposed to straight up/down.
Tito.

graham_mitchell

I just blew my first window switch

Can anyone recommend a cheap source for an OEM switch? My old one had a part number starting with "964". Is that correct?

The search function is still not working (for items more than around 10 day sold). Does anyone know about this 'sturdier' switch?

Labatt

So I'm sitting there reading everyone's threads about failing window switches, going "Mine is rock solid! Never gonna happen". Well, I was on the way to the stealer, rolled down my driver's side window, and guess what popped out? (no need for the sicker minded to answer )