03996

Had to get the switch assy replaced a few days ago. Couldn't get the key, then couldn't get it back in, then when finally did, had no wipers, radio, blower motor or indicators.

Took it to the dealership while it was at least still running. They replaced the switch, total bill just about $600.

Now here's the interesting thing.......since replacing the switch, the car runs smoother, quieter, stronger! First I thought it was my imagination but having taken it on three drives over the course of three days, it's definitely better than it was before I had the troubles!

Could it be that because of bad connections, various sensors might either not have been getting full voltage or intermittent voltage?? It's the only reason I can come up with. Bottom line......it's better and thanks for it!!

5CHN3LL

I had the same issue with all of the accessories. As far as running more smoothly, that's a new one - but given the sheer volume of things that go wrong when that switch is buggy, I suppose it's possible. This switch is definitely on my short list of suspects when the car starts acting wrong. In addition to the issues you listed, headlights may not come on, starter can get stuck in the "starting" position, and even if the key comes out, the car may think the key's still in the accessory position - so stuff stays on.

If you ever need to replace the switch again, you can work a screwdriver, and you're fairly flexible, the part is $31.50 at Pelican (the price varies a few bucks depending on model), so you might be able to save yourself a bit of dough next time around.

KrazyK

Just wondering, with all the info here and at Renntech about this issue, why did you pay $600 for a $30 part and 20 minute repair? What else did dealer do. That bill would of have given me a heart attack.

03996

Well, the part isn't $30 it's $222. That of course is the real Porsche part. I've no idea if the parts supplied by your corner store are correct. They might "fit" and work but that doesn't mean they're the correct part.

Fitting cheap replacement parts to these cars, imo, is kinda silly. You spend a load of cash on getting a great and expensive machine, then put cheapo parts in it. Doesn't make sense to me. ALL the parts that go into my car are genuine Porsche. Rightly or wrongly, that's the way I look at things. I do the same with my old Jag.....just use genuine parts.

healey1968

First off, Porsche doesn't make half of the parts in the car - they use OEM's. That being said, the OEM part made by Kostal is 31.50 on pelican. That's the same part that was used by the factory.

That $222 price is the dealer markup. Ouch.

herbertkid

Hello All,

New to Rennlist and my first post. I recently purchased a 2003 4S and one of first things I fixed on my car was the ignition switch. Couple of hours of research on this forum, the $31 part from Pelican, and 1/2 hour of work, the car was back in business again. Thanks all.

Seeeu911

Welcome ! You will like this forum. Lots of great information and people here.
Please post pictures of your C4S.

Stephen Tinker

What we are describing here is the electrical portion of the ignition switch. Porsche no longer supply just the electrical portion but the completes lock assembly of which the electrical bit just screws into.
Installing the complete lock assembly mean at least 2 hours work removing the steering covers and assembly, that's why your bill was $222 + labour. The electrical portion is common to Audi, VW, Skoda and numerous other Euro manufacturers and is made by several companies throughout Europe in their thousands. Thats why its so cheap to buy @ $31.00 each.

occb2

Stephen I guess that is the price in Queensland. In the USA Porsche sells the whole switch for $187.47. Suncoast which is a Porsche dealer cuts everyone and sells it for $159.95. My local Indy shop Mtech ordered the part from Worldpac and it came with the Porsche sticker on it. It was from a dealer and had the porsche dealer number. The part was $18.00. It took him about 20 mins to change the part that was broken. So the fact that the part was from Porsche means that Porsche does get them. They are charging people 800 dollars + to change a part that cost less than $20. Even if they would use the full switch they are charging 4X the price of the switch to change it.

I'm not one to nickel and dime. I just dumped over $7000 in my 996 with suspension and clutch and breaks and exhaust. I love and wouldn't go to any other shop but Mtech in New Rochelle. When my switch went it was very similar but I didn't lose power. My key wouldn't come out and the AC didn't work. I called Mike at MTECH he told me to wiggle the key while it was running. I did and everything came back. He said don't attempt to remove it and drive it to him. I did so. I got there and the part was there. It takes me an hour and a half to get to him. With in 30 mins the switch was repaired and I was fine. He charged me 30 mins labor, $45 dollars and $18 dollars for the switch. $63 dollars. Not $600.

lingpoen

$16 OEM part fr EBAY...30 minutes of contortion, plus I can't see. My detail guy did it in 15 minutes. but the detail was pretty expensive-

996Ray

Why are some folks so aggressive on this forum? How about, "Hey, thanks for the information....maybe next time I will look into doing it myself and save some money." Instead, it is insults and innuendos.....

To all of those that try and help those of us without tons of money, thank you for the do it yourself advice and thanks to those manufacturers that provide parts without the Porsche tax.

5CHN3LL

There are always folks who do not want to do the work themselves, which is fine. My goal in post 2 was to let OP know the option for DIY existed if he wanted to save some $$$ next time - without being overzealous about DIY (which KK took care of in post 3).

The comments about the part being a cheap replacement are totally off-base - but even if the part WAS an off-brand, so what? The first one wore out, so it's not like you'd be replacing some masterpiece of craftsmanship with a shoddy clone. These switches wear out constantly. I've had 100% failure rate of the switch based on my sample size of 2 Porsches.

If you have the money to spend, hell, it's your prerogative. Spend it. If on the other hand you have better things to spend your money on, take the advice offered herein and buy the IDENTICAL part that Porsche is going to provide you...for hundreds of bucks less. Just like the MAF sensor, you can pay several hundred more bucks if you want the Porsche box - or you can buy the same part from the same manufacturer for less than half the price. It even comes in a box - but it says Bosch instead of Porsche. If saving money appeals to you, you CAN save a lot of money without resorting to off-brand parts by doing a little research.

OP, I'm glad you got the car running, and I'm sorry if my comments in post #2 caused this thread to go south. My only ambition in posting was to let you know that there is a MUCH less expensive way to address this issue should you need to do so again in the future.

FRUNKenstein

That part is $11.49 and kept in stock at your local NAPA. Just sayin'.

Dstutler

OP....I had a similar run-in on this forum when I had roughly a quart of oil leak out on my garage floor. Thinking I may have a catastrophe on my hands, I called a reputable INDY and took his advice to flatbed my car to the shop and NOT drive it. I was highly ridiculed for what I did when it turned out to be my oil filter wasn't completely tightened. Wound up costing $100 plus the tow. I suppose in hindsight I should have been able to get under the vehicle to diagnose it but I chose to be safe and have a professional look at it. With these cars and this forum it's best to listen a lot and at the end of the day it's your car, your money and your decision. Do what YOU feel most comfortable with.

On your situation, any good Indy will tell you to buy OEM parts vs Porsche labelled.

996inTX

Exactly.