986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - 2000 Boxster

ben2000 · 01-15-2018, 06:06 PM

Howdy folks
I have symptom of key being hard to turn (especially in colder weather) from off to accessory pt. I already replaced the electrical portion of the ignition switch and that did not help at all.

I next was going to replace the mechanical port of the ignition switch (pistol/steering lock assembly mechanism). To do that, I followed the tech article from pelican (https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-996-997-Carrera/86-ELEC-Replacing_Your_Ignition_Switch_Steering_Lock/86-ELEC-Replacing_Your_Ignition_Switch_Steering_Lock.htm). Precursor to the work was, though, to remove the dash/cluster (again per the pelican tech article).

When trying to do that, I got the 2 torx screws out, as well as the hazard switch. All no problem. But next step was "D: Lift the gauge cluster up so that you can disconnect the wire harnesses on the back."

Here, after an hr or 2 of trying..............I could only get the cluster to partially lift off (on the passenger side of the car, it was bit more free - maybe 1-2 inches, but on the driver side it was only lifting off maybe 1 inch)......bottom line it was nearly far enough lifted off for me to be able to reach back and disconnect the wiring harnesses (ostensibly not enough slack in the wiring to let it lift off much).

I supposed I could have just kept tugging at it till it came loose, but I didn't want to do more damage ($$) than this is already going to cost me.

For now I've had to shelf this project and probably have to take it into the dealer. Were there any tricks others can share to save the day?

01-15-2018, 06:06 PM	#1
ben2000 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Texas Posts: 13	2000 Boxster - gauge cluster removal woes Howdy folks I have symptom of key being hard to turn (especially in colder weather) from off to accessory pt. I already replaced the electrical portion of the ignition switch and that did not help at all. I next was going to replace the mechanical port of the ignition switch (pistol/steering lock assembly mechanism). To do that, I followed the tech article from pelican (https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-996-997-Carrera/86-ELEC-Replacing_Your_Ignition_Switch_Steering_Lock/86-ELEC-Replacing_Your_Ignition_Switch_Steering_Lock.htm). Precursor to the work was, though, to remove the dash/cluster (again per the pelican tech article). When trying to do that, I got the 2 torx screws out, as well as the hazard switch. All no problem. But next step was "D: Lift the gauge cluster up so that you can disconnect the wire harnesses on the back." Here, after an hr or 2 of trying..............I could only get the cluster to partially lift off (on the passenger side of the car, it was bit more free - maybe 1-2 inches, but on the driver side it was only lifting off maybe 1 inch)......bottom line it was nearly far enough lifted off for me to be able to reach back and disconnect the wiring harnesses (ostensibly not enough slack in the wiring to let it lift off much). I supposed I could have just kept tugging at it till it came loose, but I didn't want to do more damage ($$) than this is already going to cost me. For now I've had to shelf this project and probably have to take it into the dealer. Were there any tricks others can share to save the day?