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Simple ignition replacement made complicated

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Old 08-01-2015, 03:07 PM
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dgjks6
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Default Simple ignition replacement made complicated

Beautiful Sat. Extra car at home. Ordered a new igntion piece a while ago. In the winter the key won't turn off after I shut off the car for a long time when the car is cold. Replaced the switch last year. Didn't help.


So read the DIY's and got started.

As of now the side vent is off, the gauges are off, and the seat is out and I still can't get to the last bolt.
Old 08-01-2015, 07:56 PM
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Rubik
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... Have you tried dropping the engine?
Old 08-01-2015, 09:02 PM
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dgjks6
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So here it is supposed to go:

disconnect battery

remove side vent

remove ignition be removing 2 bolts

transfer key/lock

replace ignition

replace side vent

Read about it on line with guys says thanks for the great write up. Theey post things like took me 40 mins, blah, blah, blah..

So here is how it went

Disconnect battery

Remove side vent. Loose screw that holds the vent pipe inside the tube. It disappeared into thin air. Seriously. But I did take off the dead pedal and the trim around the fuse panel thinking the screw went back there. I pulled up the carpet. Screw not there.

Remove bolts for ignition through side vent.

Can't get to last bolt from the vent so try from above. So remove the gauge cluster thinking that will help. It doesn't.

Try going from below but can't fit in so try to move seat back, and can't because battery disconnected. So remove the seat.

Get on my back and get the last bolt out.

Transfer various clips to new ignition and break one - but not sure what goes in there so who cares.

Put ignition back on. Go to put bolt in and drop it. It disappears. Went somewhere in the dash.

Look for magnet to fish out the bolt. I have 5 of these at home but of course can not find one. Blame the kids. Go to home depot and get magnet.

Find bolt with magnet and put it in. Run magnet around the rest of the car to see if I can find the bolt I lost earlier. No joy.

Put lock back on - after I take the paper clip and key out - for those of you that have done this in the past you know what I mean. If you have not done this repair and plan to in the future just don't take the paper clip and key out - trust me.

Got to home depot (for the second time) and by a screw for the vent.

Put vent back on

Put gauge cluster back in. When putting the screw in the left side drop it in the gauge cluster. Remove gauge cluster again so you can flip it over and get the bolt out.

Put gauge cluster back on. Put seat in. Connect battery. Plan to put he rest of the trim back on later.

Start car.

And it works!!!

Hopefully in the winter it will turn off.
Old 08-02-2015, 04:57 PM
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FRUNKenstein
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You've only had this car for about 2 years, right? Personally, when the ignition went out, I would have taken it back to the seller and demanded that he buy it back.
Old 08-02-2015, 05:57 PM
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Default Simple ignition replacement made complicated

............. and that's why I paid my indie to install my switch. I applaud your attempt.
Old 08-02-2015, 05:57 PM
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5CHN3LL
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Yeah, or check the title and see if you actually own a totaled Boxster.
Old 08-02-2015, 06:01 PM
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5CHN3LL
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Originally Posted by porsche-t
............. and that's why I paid my indie to install my switch.
Yeah, because 900 "it was totally easy" and one "it was a bitch" - AFTER you paid your indie - was the last straw that finally dissuaded you from your otherwise uncontrollable urge to perform the easiest DIY there is on the 996.
Old 08-02-2015, 06:49 PM
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wucash
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Originally Posted by dgjks6
Beautiful Sat. Extra car at home. Ordered a new igntion piece a while ago. In the winter the key won't turn off after I shut off the car for a long time when the car is cold. Replaced the switch last year. Didn't help.


So read the DIY's and got started.

As of now the side vent is off, the gauges are off, and the seat is out and I still can't get to the last bolt.
thest things help:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEIKO-1-4-Cl...item43dc12bbf2

or one of those thumb ratchets. the screws are at a weird angle. i am super skinny and had problems finding all the screws while upside down. somehow got lucky...
Old 08-03-2015, 07:45 AM
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porsche-t
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Originally Posted by 5CHN3LL
Yeah, because 900 "it was totally easy" and one "it was a bitch" - AFTER you paid your indie - was the last straw that finally dissuaded you from your otherwise uncontrollable urge to perform the easiest DIY there is on the 996.
Was kind of an afterthought. Car was in for a strut that went bad two days before my Cali road trip so I just had him change it while it was there. Switch was in my glove box for about 4 months and I forgot about it being there. Anyway, I can afford to have the indie do it. He only charged me $65.
Old 08-03-2015, 09:11 AM
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DTMiller
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Maybe you have the short block ignition switch but a long block car.

/spatula'd
Old 08-03-2015, 06:02 PM
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5CHN3LL
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I think your mechanic can retrofit the short-block switch onto the long-block, but it's 40 or 50 hours of labor.



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