Ignition problem with my 2003 Turbo with just under 148K miles.

Key is starting to hang up in the ignition switch. Kind of like what can happen if one leaves the wheel turned and it puts some pressure on the steering wheel lock.

Stopped in at the dealer this AM on the way to work to ask if a shot of some dry lube would help. Tech asked me if they had done the switch on my car yet. Not yet. The tech said the problem is with the shaft that comes down from the steering column and dry lube wouldn't help, wouldn't even reach the problem area.

He said the parts department carries the switch assembly in stock. I was hoping I was wrong but I really expected this response as I have the assembly from when I had this replaced in my Boxster and I am somewhat familiar with the assembly. The tech is right.

No time today to leave the car and wait for a shuttle ride home. But next week sometime I'll take the car in for this. In the meantime it will have to remain parked. The risk is the key will remain stuck and if this happens almost certainly it will happen at the worst time and at the worst place.

No heavy key chain connected to the key either. I have both car keys sans any key chain or key fob. Just another wear item, I guess.

 

Yes, it is a wear item. 148k is is a pretty good life span for a part that has since been redesign because of premature failure.

 

Mine failed at 24k miles on my '02 911 this year. $12 bucks and a half hour later it was back up and running. My key was actually stuck in the ignition and it took a paperclip to get it out.

 

I think Macster is talking about replacing the entire lock mechanism, not just the electrical switch and/or key tumbler.

 

My ignition switch went out, the spring broke. Had the entire unit and mechanism replaced. Works great. Wasnt that bad from a wallet perspective.

 

I had the same symptoms with key getting hung up. One would think it was the tumbler, but the $12 switch fixed it. That dealer is going to rape you esp since you know how cheap the fix is.

 

Which switch?

 

This one.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/272061241596?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

There is a distinct click when you pull the key out when working properly. Mine wouldn't make the click and would do a combination of the following:

Would not click and would still read as key in when removed.

Would insert key key and it would turn past ignition. Basically it was just free spinning in there.

Difficult to remove, I would have to jiggle it to free it.

New switch fixed everything.

 

If the dealer changes the mechanical switch they'll charge you at least $700. I would give the electrical switch a shot before dropping it off at the dealer.

 

The click I hear. I have never seen a key present warning after I removed the key. The key turns in the ignition just fine, there is no slop/play or what have you.

Based on my experience and observation and memory of the assembly (from the I have from my Boxster) and because I trust the tech I'm having the entire mechanism replaced. The car is at the dealer awating Monday.

 

Where would I take the car to give the "electrical switch a shot"?

I have no indy shop I trust with the Turbo. The Porsche parts department doesn't sell the electrical portion separately and there is no warranty on parts installed by the dealer that I buy elsewhere.

There are other dealers around but the nearest one is 25 miles away compared to the less than 2 miles away from my local dealer. I'm pretty sure the other dealers also do not sell the part separately. Chances are the other dealers would charge as much or possibly even more than my local dealer to replace the entire assembly and there's the hassle/cost of getting a rental car.

The car is already at the local dealer. Monday I'll swing by on the way to work and drop off the key. The car will probably be finished by Monday afternoon -- I was told the parts department has the assembly in stock (probably because this is starting to be a common problem as the 996 models rack up the miles and time) and I can ask the SM to drop the car off at my house when it is finished. If he doesn't have the time -- and he might not as Monday is a busy day for the dealer service department -- I can pick the car up Monday after work then make arrangements to get the Boxster home Tuesday.

 

the switch is the 12$ fix. Just try it first.

 

I know that Napa sells a generic version for about $20 but I bought the gen vw part for $40. Then 30min or less of DIY labor and you might have saved yourself 650-700$

The difficulty level of this DIY is similar to changing a headlight bulb.

 

I think rentech has a really good DIY. You can do it for sure. My last one took 15 minutes.