Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-31-2016, 07:24 AM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MD
Posts: 268
Garage
Lessons from Replacing my Ignition Switch

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


Last edited by Cbonilla; 08-01-2016 at 11:58 AM.
Cbonilla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2016, 07:35 AM   #2
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: S.California
Posts: 2,027
Thank you for taking the time to post these tedious details.Missing any one of those little "Gotchas" would be a real nuisance.
Gelbster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2016, 01:17 PM   #3
Registered User
 
Chuck W.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Agoura Hills (LA) So.Cal.
Posts: 1,574
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gelbster View Post
Thank you for taking the time to post these tedious details.Missing any one of those little "Gotchas" would be a real nuisance.
I agree, thanks. I am big on searching the forum be for I start a project and reading all I can. This will help.
__________________
1995 Porsche C4 Cab

2016 BMW M2, 6 Speed LBB - ED 7/2016
1997 993 Cab - Sold; 1997 993 Turbo - Sold
2001 Boxster S - Original Owner - 30K Miles -SOLD
Chuck W. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2016, 08:20 PM   #4
Registered User
 
flaps10's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 430
I used a cut down eye glass screw driver. If you pull the driver seat you can lay on your back and see okay. That duct is a bit of a pain but keep at it, youll get it all back
flaps10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2016, 04:14 AM   #5
Registered User
 
Xpit77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 487
I used this. The little driver has a light. The driver separates from the tip caddy. It`a about 2.5 ". I removed the vent.
I read where someone had a flex driver. That would be the best tool IMHO.
__________________
99 Boxster sold
88 944S sold
Xpit Formula Four sold
95 Integra Solo I sold
71 Opel GT sold
Xpit77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2016, 07:28 AM   #6
Project Addicted
 
jcslocum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Posts: 623
I found this to be very effective when doing this job.


__________________
______
Jon
1966 912, 1976 911
1986 944, 2000 Boxster
jcslocum is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:37 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page