Ignition Switch Epic Fail

[thstone]

I also ordered the parts and was going to tackle this project on Friday afternoon thinking it was a breeze. Rethinking about taking it to a mechanic now.

[Spinnaker]

Originally Posted by thstone

I also ordered the parts and was going to tackle this project on Friday afternoon thinking it was a breeze. Rethinking about taking it to a mechanic now.

If you have the money to spend on a mechanic, I don't blame you for thinking about it, based on what some of the others have gone through. But try going through the dash method, and it will be a lot easier on your body than the underneath method and you can save the money for something else, like a couple of tanks of gas. Oh yeah, don't forget to tie a string onto the little set screw screwdriver. If you drop it, it can fall behind the kickpanel where the fuse panel is and you will find another opportunity to use some colorful language.

[vwburg]

I swapped mine (2002 S) in the fall and it certainly took me longer than expected as well. At first I tried to do it with the drivers seat in, but I'm too large for that(5'10@220). It took far too long for me to remove the seat because I couldn't figure out how to disconnect the harness for the power/heat :-) Once I was finally in there I had a tough time to bend my wrist the correct way to turn the set screws. I also had thoughts about calling a tow truck :-) However, once I got the set screws loose the remainder of the process was fairly quick. Everything went well, but when I sat back in the car and the key wouldn't turn I hit rock bottom. As I was walking away from the car I realized the steering lock was the problem. Slight turn of the wheel and the key turned easily and it's been fine since then.

If I had to do it again I would. But I would look into the through the dash method mentioned below before I crawled under the dash again.

Good luck!

[jwade]

You guys talking about the electronic portion of the switch? I'm sitting here reading all this about taking out seats and going to a mechanic...WTF??

The switch itself is a breeze to get to. Undo the HVAC duct and it's right there. Take a micro flat head screwdriver like something you would fix a pair of glasses with and loosen the set screws enough to get the thing out. Then put the new one in.

DO NOT HAVE A KEY IN IGNITION WHEN DOING THIS.

You have to lay upside down at an angle with the door swing. Use a small step stool or something to get your body in place. No big deal.

Now if your taking the mechanical portion out, Wayne over at Pelican Parts.com has a great book called 101 projects for your boxster which shows you exactly how to do that portion too. Never had to do my mechanical portion, just the little electronic portion. Doesn't cost that much and if you are having any electrical issues this is a sign the switch is going bad.

The car really does some wierd stuff man when a switch is dying. Way more than simply having a hard time turning the key.

[vwburg]

I'm certainly talking about the electrical portion of the switch. I didn't have many electrical issues during the last days of the switch, but the big sign for me was that the key would be stuck in the switch after turning the car off. The mechanical part of the switch wouldn't release the key.

Yeah, I read and tried all the tricks like placing a stool just outside the door etc, but there was no way I could bend myself as required. I could get my head in place and see the switch, but I couldn't get my arms up to work on them when entering from the side with the seat in place.

[jwade]

Where are you? If you are in TN or close by to Clarksville, bring that ******************** over and I'll switch it out for you in 15 minutes!

One thing I hate is the boxster ignition design. Such a beautiful and agile car that cost 60k ++ when new...only to be completely immobilized by a sub 20 dollar AUDI part.....what a pity!!