06-09-2014, 08:07 AM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2
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Shaking steering wheel at high speed
I just bought a 2004 Boxster. It drives extremely well and overall I'm very happy with it. Two things I've noticed:
1) Driving with the top down and exceeding speed of approx 70 miles, the steering wheels starts to shake considerably. Is this just a basic alignment/balancing thing or is it mechanically caused?
2) When I signal either left or right, the blinker stops after 1-2 times and doesn't signal anymore. Furthermore, when trying to turn on the headlights, I need to turn it on/off a couple of times to actually turn on the light.
Any advice / help out there?
Thanks
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06-09-2014, 08:22 AM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Peoria IL
Posts: 529
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1) Sounds like the same issue I was having. I'm not a suspension expert, so I'm replacing the inner and outer tie rods and hoping that gets rid of the shake. If it doesn't, then I'm looking at the control arms / ball joints. Sounds like you are having the same issue. I'm sure someone else on here can point you in the right direction as to whether it is the tie rods or the ball joints.
2)I'm clueless. I have my own electrical gremlins, but they aren't that bad yet. I'll be replacing the ignition switch once they start to get out of hand as I've heard that is the cause of several different electrical problems.
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06-09-2014, 08:30 AM
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#3
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Rennzenn
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,369
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1) try getting the front tires balanced. If at all possible, find a shop with a RoadForce balancer. I've had this happen a few times, particularly w/ my autocross tires, and re-balancing always cures it.
2) Your headlight switch is going bad. When you turn the lights on, pull the switch out (turns on fogs) and then tap it in forcefully with the heel of your hand.
__________________
Rennzenn
Jfro@rennzenn.com
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06-09-2014, 08:39 AM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Kuna Idaho
Posts: 236
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I agree with starting with a rebalance of the wheels. Cheapest first effort of a fix.
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06-09-2014, 09:37 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: FL
Posts: 4,144
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amrenane2010
Furthermore, when trying to turn on the headlights, I need to turn it on/off a couple of times to actually turn on the light.
Any advice / help out there?
Thanks
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Agreed, headlamp switch, the exact same thing happened to me. Easy fix, see the guide here:
Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Headlamp Switch Replacement - 986 / 987
24 MM socket to remove the big nut, and torx bits to remove the rest.
For immediate relief while waiting for a new switch you can remove the switch, and spray electrical contact cleaner inside it while you rotate it through the positions. It will make it better and can be a short term fix.
Steve
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06-09-2014, 10:55 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Montreal, QC. (currently expat to Shanghai)
Posts: 3,249
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Read somewhere someone cleaned the headlight switch with contact cleaner or similar. Worked fine for him. Accumulated junk on the contacts... dunno
More importantly, I'm not a 986 surgeon but still advise you to get the car inspected by a professional. Whatever you mean by "shaking considerably". There is a lot of moving parts & joints that needs to be in proper op condition - get this signed off along with your wheel alignment.
If mine goes shaking, it's towed from where it started to shake mate. Stay safe and congrats on your new car purchase
__________________
______________________________
'97 Boxster base model 2.5L, Guards Red/Tan leather, with a new but old Alpine am/fm radio.
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06-09-2014, 11:28 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 1,665
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The car should drive smooth as silk well past 100mph.
It could be the tire needs re-balancing, in case it lost its weights.
The tire rubber itself if too old or damaged may be developing a problem.
The suspension may be worn and getting loose allowing the shakes to develop at certain speeds.
A rim could be slightly out of round due to hitting a curb but would shake worse proportional to the speed I would think.
Start with the cheapest (rebalance) and work your way through the possibilities.
__________________
"It broke because it wants to be Upgraded  "
2012 Porsche Performance Driving School - SanDiego region
2001 Boxster S, Top Speed muffler, (Fred's) Mini Morimotto Projectors, Tarret UDP,
Short Shifter, Touch Screen Dual Din Radio, 03 4 Bow glass Top (DD & Auto-X since May 17,2012)
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06-09-2014, 01:13 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2
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thanks for all the great advices and I start working on some of these recommendations and will definitely share the outcome, so it can benefit others..............
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06-09-2014, 02:16 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: sw ohio
Posts: 253
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Cheapest start point: check tire pressure.
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06-09-2014, 06:01 PM
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DFW
Posts: 782
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Do the tires have a lot of inner wear/mismatched wrong size? When the steering wheel is shaking, tires are always a big culprit.
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06-09-2014, 06:45 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: mass
Posts: 731
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jotoole
Cheapest start point: check tire pressure.
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i agree , start with tire pressure . these cars are very sensitive with the tire pressure . then balance wheels .
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