Replaced old Shift Knob with LED shifter!
 

My old shift knob was worn, and the leather boot was frazzled and chewed up. So I replaced it today with a knob with LED lighting! Purchased it on ebay for $149 - you can pick what color LED you want for the display. I chose blue, although I know it doesn't match my amber lights, I like it. I believe they do have that orange amber color, and several others. Installation was easy, and it wires right into the same lines as for the light bulb in the ashtray.
Just popped the old one off, and slipped the new one on, spliced the wires and tightened the set screws. Although if you're going to do this same procedure, I recommend getting the ring on the boot with the holes for the set screws in place before you wire it up, otherwise a little bit tricky. If anyone wants step by step instructions, let me know.

Ahh, I've been eyeing the same shifter! How is the feel of the knob versus the standard OE 5sp one? Also, any comments on build quality?

Looks great!

Jeff,
I would definitely get it, it's actually much better quality than the old shifter (IMO). My car is a '97 and the old OEM shifter was made of rubber base covered in leather. Over the years the rubber wore and it felt a little loose, like there was a little bit of play between the knob and shift rod. This new one is metal base and feels great. There is no play at all once installed, and I like the newer look too.
(Originally I got a replacement from eagleday.com but sent it back because I wasn't happy with it - didn't come with the U-bracket and the insert had scratches like it was used and repainted.)
The one on ebay is MUCH better quality and I am very happy with it. Only drawback, it took a while to get because they ship from Germany. Get hung up in customs for a while but I finally got it about 10 days later than expected, but worth it!)

I have been looking at that on ebay for a while now too. Glad to hear that it worked out so nicely. Might have to re-think that again now. Thanks for the review!!!

Someone got a link?

Here is the one I bought:

Porsche Boxster Shift Gear Knob Leather Gaiter Illuminated LED Best Quality | eBay

That looks really cool.

Thanks, very nice!

I was interested in this when I had my boxster. Unfortunately they only make it in black. For the price it can't be beat.

That's sick. Would fit so perfect with my interior.


https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...37843839_n.jpg

Holman,
You should get one! Your interior rocks!

And you both need blue instrument LEDs! :p :D

I installed that, too.
The quality of the leather and aluminum ring, as well as the look'n'feel are equivalent to the stock knob.
Be Aware: YELLOW LED = Porsche amber

So this knob fits without an adapter to the boxster's stock rectangular shaft?

Yes, it's made to replace OEM shifter, fits perfectly. The hardest part was getting the old shift knob off! The trick was to twist it side to side, then it slips right off. The new one is cut to fit on the rectangular shaft perfect, and in addition, it does have 3 set screws to tighten it

Thanks for the info.

Hmm...I am normally not a LED type of person, but that knob actually looks really classy and like you said, the quality looks really good.

Great upgrade!

ok, when I first heard "LED" shift knob. I was thinking, "that sounds like some fast and furious BS", but that looks very nice. Mine is an 01, so the piece with the gear pattern is oblong rather that round and there is another piece that surrounds that and tapers down to the boot. it was originally black, but years of use rubbed all the paint off except around the top near the R-1-3-5. took it off earlier and wrapped in some carbon fiber wrap. turned out really well.

Cool! Can you post a pic? I bet it looks good with the carbon fiber pattern!

I put this shift knob in the other day. It took about two weeks to arrive from Germany. I had to file the inside of the knob a little to fit, but it was worth the added trouble. The shift knob and boot looks very nice. Thanks to OP for posting about it.

I need help. I tried to install this today and failed. Getting the old shift knob and boot was hard, but I got it done without any damage. I can't say the same for the new pieces. I've managed to crack the knob and tear the boot.

The knob wouldn't snug down over the shaft. So I tried to tap it down with a hammer and padding but still put a big crack on the top. Re-reading the comments above, maybe a metal file would have helped.

After I got the knob settled, or so I thought, I couldn't get the boot to pull up and attach to the knob. I managed to make two rips in the boot while trying.

I've contacted the seller hoping to get replacement parts without having to pay full price, we'll see if they take pity on me.

So, can anyone give me step-by-step instructions? Any other tips if I'm able to try again with new parts?

If I remember correctly, I attached the boot to the knob first. So file knob opening to fit first, but don't screw down. Take knob back off shaft. Then attach boot to knob, being careful to face the boot the correct way. Place knob and boot on shaft, tighten knob to shaft. Then pull boot down and snap into place. I hope this helps and good luck with replacement :cheers:

Randy...I had exactly the same situation as you did. I tried and tired to get the whole thing to fit and wound up cracking the top piece as well. I messaged the company and they sent me a replacement piece, however they did charge me a small fee for it but worth it as it was my mistake for cracking it. I took a file to the inside of it. It really took some time and patience to get the inside filed down enough to make it fit. It seemed like there was quite a bit that needed to be filed down. Once I got it opened up it ft perfectly and looks great! Hope they can get you taken care of, they seemed to be pretty easy to work with. Let us know how it goes!

Makes me wonder if enough people are asking for replacements because they have to file it or force it fit, they might make some adjustments to their manufacturing.

Seller has asked for pictures of the damage. I'll send that to them.

Seller is sending replacement parts for a small fee. Perfectly reasonable considering how I screwed things up. Now I wait.

Glad to hear it worked out for you as well....here is what I did to mine when trying to hard to get it to fit...:eek:

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1428009516.jpg


http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1428009540.jpg

When they saw the picture i sent them they noticed that the ring around the insert was damaged too so they offered to send a replacement for that . They were very easy to work with and I thought since it was my fault they did not try and charge me a huge amount or try to get me to buy a whole new unit.

Here's what I did to the shift knob:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps12a3ymie.jpg

And the boot:
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps0um9zijz.jpg

Now I just wait on the replacement parts. :(

I've got that one also in Amber. I love the quality.

Replacement parts arrived today. I replaced the broken shifting pattern insert, and I tested the LED on a 9v battery. It glowed nicely, I'm sure it will handle 12v when it's wired in.

I bought two metal files: flat and round, and cleaned up the inside until it slipped on the lever nice and neat. Yes, it took a while but I'm satisfied with the fitting.

They sent a complete boot assembly too. I didn't break or tear anything, but that's still where I'm getting hung up. After trying for two hours, I just cleaned up and put the original shift knob back on. I can finally see how its "supposed" to fit, but I just can't spend any more time with the fitment.

I'll try again on Monday, my next day off.

Need help again
 

:confused: Ok. The gear shift and boot are installed - no rips or cracks. Looks really nice. But...

Darn thing doesn't light up. I spliced to power and ground wire to the ashtray light. Should work - right? Ignition on, car running, nothing. Headlights on, car running, nothing. I don't have a voltage tester (I'm going to get one), but this should be working - right?

The wires to the gearshift are red and brown. The wires to the ashtray light are blue and brown. I spliced brown to brown, and red to blue. I even tried reversing polarity, no luck.

I don't know if the ashtray light ever worked, it was disconnected when I got the car. So maybe there's no power.

What else can I check?

I checked the voltage where I connected the shift knob. I have 12v with the car running and the headlights on. But still no light from the shift knob. I've emailed the seller, we'll see what happens next.

Make sure you didn't pinch one of the wires. I'll check if I can see how I connected the wires before I bring the car into the shop tomorrow.

IT WORKS! Apparently, it has been working. Up until now it's been pretty sunny outside, so I didn't notice the light coming on. (It's not real bright.) I didn't even look at night.

Today was overcast and OMG I can see the light! No, it's not real bright, but perfect for night-time use.

The shift knob is wired to the ashtray light. It only comes on when the car is running and with the headlights on.

Thanks to everyone who posted their help. It is nice having a support group !

Sun? What's that? We don't get sun up here for another month lol. I'm glad everything worked out for you.

Very glad you got it figured out and working. I was waiting to see how you made out before ordering one :p

Lessons learned:

Fasten the boot to the knob, there is no need to ever take the two apart.

Make sure the 3 set screws are completely backed out of the shaft opening.

If the shift knob doesn't slide on easily, file the opening until it does. This may be easier with the boot off, but why risk it.

Once the knob slides on easily, tighten the 3 set screws and be done with them.

Now, connect to your electric source. I used the ashtray light. The leads on the ashtray light (on my 2002) are blue and brown. The leads from the shift knob are red and brown. Connect red to blue and brown to brown. Test with a voltmeter, 12v appears with the car "running" and the headlights on. I used wire nuts to complete the connection.

Now you can snap the boot in place. Reattach the ashtray/bin assembly (if used). You're done.

If I hadn't screwed up the installation the first time, this is an hour of labor. If you break something the seller will replace the parts for a small price. They're a German company, shipping takes some time.

I think I'm the first person to tear the boot. They said "how did this happen? we see that for the first time."

But most important: I am super pleased with the result! It looks awesome, and the yellow is the same as the amber dash lights. I'll upload a picture as soon a I can.

Here it is:

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...psb54lqxou.jpg

The mark between 1 and 3 is just a reflection.

So I recently bought my Boxster and the original shift knob was in the center console. It has an LED one on the shifter, which looks much cheaper than the one you have, and I'd like to put the original back on. Do these things just pop on and off?

Picks of the led unit on now as I might b interested?