Scrh1

Well…I think 105k miles on the original switch was a good run…….of course took the spare out of the car yesterday while doing some cleaning and forgot to put it back in. Luckily I decided to go the gym this morning close to home and when I came back out no start. I knew it was the switch as that is how it always happens . A 10$ Uber ride home and back after picking up switch, mini screwdriver and flashlight. Of course it’s a balmy 95 degrees and I was a bit slippery under the dash. 15 or so mins of fiddling with the little screws and it was swapped and I was on my way home. Kudos to https://pedrosgarage.com/site-3/ignition-switch.html this link. Bookmark spit and memorize it as it’s helpful when you are literally sweating under the dash. Note to self……place switch repair bundle in car asap and leave it there !

Lazurus

Congrats on having the foresight to keep a spare in the car as I have always done.

Couple of things that always struck me about that switch. (A) The sheer number of things that begin to wonk out symptomatically that have seemingly nothing at all to do with the switch and (B) that a $12.00 shared VW/Audi/Porsche part that if failed can leave your once $140,000.00 car stranded! Good for you knocking out the DIY in a parking spot and a $10.00 Uber ride!? You must have been a block from home. But I get it. Summer heat!

Scrh1

Ha. Yeah was about a mile away however the sun was relentless and wife / kids were out and about so dad was on his own. Yes…I provided a good laugh to @ few folks in the parking lot seeing my upside down in the footwell .

LinwoodM

This happened to me at a cars and coffee event. I pulled in, parked, and was unable to pull my key out. Luckily I just hung out at my car for the event and then drove home fine. I swapped it out soon there after and have been good to go ever since.

T Kono

Does the upgraded switch (2004 & later) have the same failure issues?

theprf

I am not sure, although I do know the steering lock casting is different for the new switch.

jcc0016

What are the symptoms of this failing, just that the car will not start? Where is a good source for the spare?

theprf

It causes all kinds of electrical weirdness. Most of the power to run the car's circuits goes directly through the ignition switch.
The part is shared with VW and Audi, sometimes for a much cheaper price. I would grab an OEM Audi switch to have on hand.

Lazurus

The CDR 23 can go on/off as if powered by a phantom. All manner of unexpected electrical wierdness - as noted. The funniest part is I've had a VW for 15+ years. Never a problem with THAT ignition switch

theprf

My 32 year old VW has used up 5 or 6 ignition switches. I've had it since new.

Carlo_Carrera

The switch on my Turbo lasted 23 years and 86k miles so the OEM switches aren't total cr@p. They just wear out eventually.