Tips on replacing the (electrical)ignition switch

[Britrover]

Hi - The common issue (electrical) ignition switch on my 98 Boxster has gone kaputt. I have followed DIY instructions from Pedro and the other link below. I have managed to get the AC vent out of the way, unhooked the cable and loosened the left screw with great difficulty. The problem I have I can barely see the right screw , let alone try to loosen it. Looks like many members have done this fix themselves. Looking for tips on possibly what I doing wrong or additional steps in terms of parts that need to be taken out to complete the change.

Link #1 Replace Ignition Switch Porsche DIY
Link #2 Replace Ignition Switch :: Repairs :: Greg's 2004 Porsche 996

[jcslocum]

the bottom screw is done blind. I uses a 1/4 drive ratchet and a flat blade insert in a socket.



It still takes some contortion but you can do it thru the AC vent hole.

[thstone]

After hours of laying upside down and struggling.... and struggling .... and struggling, I gave up and had my indy install it. I admit that this job kicked my arse.

IMHO, its easier to swap the transmission.

[kjc2050]

This is my post & thread on this topic; suggest you read the entire thing. http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/46411-ignition-switch-replacement-holy-crap.html

[jcslocum]

With the 1/4" ratchet it was 15-120 minutes....

[Wallace River]

Originally Posted by jcslocum

With the 1/4" ratchet it was 15-120 minutes....

LOL and likely closer to the 120.

[newBgeek]

The trick to this task is to have the right screwdriver that will fit. Here's a screwdriver that most people will already have. It's a perfect fit and locks into the screw head which is recessed so it will stay in place and you can just turn it at will. The slot is quite deep so you will know when it is locked in. It also helps to have a mirror so that you can see the orientation of the slot to help position the screwdriver bit.

[AaronPDX]

+1 on the right screwdriver. I modified a small screwdriver I got for free by cutting the handle in half. That made it short enough to get in there. I'd say it took me about 30 minutes from start to finish, but I could probably do it in 15 now. Also, this was one of those jobs where my headlamp was invaluable.


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[jakeykev]

Hi guys, looking for some help and advice here.

I'm trying to replace the ignition switch on my Boxster. I've had the car for 4 years and it's not really had any issues until last week when the electricial system has gone a bit mad.

Done some research and decided I want to change the ignition switch so took off side vent and the A/C ducting and got a look at the switch.

It looks like the previous owner has perhaps the replaced the switch as the two litte grub screws and in bad shape with the heads of them chewed to the point where I cant really get a grip with a small screwdriver.

Looking for some advice on how to remove them or what best course of action will be.

Car is a 97 Boxster.

Thanks

[Cbonilla]

I posted this on 7/31 after finishing the job. Are you sure the screw heads are stripped and that you're not just looking at the sealer on the screw head?

****

In the hope that others scratching their heads at the same point in the process may find these points of use

Don’t even think of starting this without having a tiny screwdriver. I had difficulty finding one (even tried cutting one down) and got lucky in a hardware store where a customer heard my plight and offered to loan me one out that he had magically in his glove box!

In case you’re wondering, the screws holding the electronics of the switch come out in a downwards direction. Yes, the blob of sealant you see (barely) is the head of the screw.

I did mine both from above and below the dash. Just couldn’t work it otherwise
If you try to remove the vent on the dash the first snag you encounter is taking the knob off the light switch. There is a tiny almost invisible metal tab just below the lip of the knob. I finally figured it out when I saw this post and picture (about 3 pics down):

DIY Head Light Switch Remove and Replace - 6SpeedOnline - Porsche Forum and Luxury Car Resource

The torx screw that is only accessible when you have the knob off is the same size torx as the other two

When re-installing the switch, attach it to the harness first. The pressure from the harness will keep it from falling out as you try to tighten the set screws

If you remove the snap in cover to the left of the ignition switch, note that it has a top and putting it in upside down will result in a poor fit and not follow the dash contours

If you do go in from the dash, let me know if you were able to reinsert the Phillips screw that holds the “L” shaped duct in the dash. For all the vaunted German engineering, it would have been nice to have some guide posts to help line it up. I finally despaired of ever getting the screw in and just friction fit it to the lower duct and the dash vent

Start to finish (with a hardware store trip in there) was 2.5 hours

Carlos

[Gelbster]

Here is the missing link from the Post above- lots of useful pgotos:
DIY Head Light Switch Remove and Replace - 6SpeedOnline - Porsche Forum and Luxury Car Resource
And
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/46411-ignition-switch-replacement-holy-crap.html
Wouldn't it be great if all the links and photos for this project were in one place ?
Thanks to BritRover for starting the Thread with his linked sources.

[Porsche9]

Would a watch repair tool kit that has small screwdrivers also work?

https://www.amazon.com/SE-JT6221-16-Piece-Watch-Repair/dp/B000T9VK56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471362732&sr=8-1&keywords=watch+sizing+kits