Cool writeup. I just did this with a different guide the other month, your's is better . It was an easy process though, definately a DIY and get a used part off ebay! Saves a lot of $.

 

Just my two cents -- I'd replace it. It's really inexpensive and simple and you don't want to get caught far from home without lights.

 

What's the best place to buy it? Suncoast?

 

That's where I bought mine.

 

Just bought a new switch from Suncoast. It came to $103 with shipping. I imagine my old one will be fine with some maf spray on the contacts. If anyone would like it just pm me.

 

I got the entire used switch on ebay used for $35. It's the same part as even the Boxster uses. Just popped it right it and it works perfect.

 

If I recall from reading the other thread about it, it's the same as a VW part for like $25-30 bucks on ebay. I'm going to try the MAF cleaning fluid on mine. All of my lights work except the Xenon's. Sometimes, it takes a bit for them to turn on, other times, I have to toggle the switch left and right a few times to get them to turn on. But all my other lights come on fine, parking lights, fog lights, etc. Only the xenons come on late. There was one day though where they turned off while driving for about half an hour with them on... kinda hairy but a quick toggle and they came back on.

 

finished up the switch replacement. Thanks to this DIY there was no guess work and it went pretty smooth! Thanks OP!

 

You guys ROCK. My lights were intermittent. I used the MAF Cleaner and fixed it for $6 and it took an hour. Saved me the price of a new switch. LIghts work perfect every time.
I took some more pics to show a bit more detail and how the AC vent attaches to the dash. Pull out the vent feels like you are going to break it. When I did it I wished I knew where the connection points were. Here are some pics.

 

I just posted some pics. I did this last weekend. Works great. No more problem. Look back at the original post about using MAF. I replied to that thread.

 

Thanks smistry007, for this great post!

Just tackled this issue on my -03 tt this morning. It took about 45 minutes including tools in and out from the storage. And probably 20 minutes of that gathering courage to use enough force to pull the vent out.

Also thanks to rlougee, without your comment I would have probably not found the courage even after those 20 minutes.

 

I also just tackled this... finally. Cleaned with quick drying electrical contact cleaner. Seems to be working great. It does feel like your going to tear the dash out when removing but one caveat it goes back in very easy to don't push on it just get your fingers behind it and get it lined up. It slides right back in. Great post saved a bundle over dealer or indy thanks all.

 

This nut is 24 mm. An adjustable wrench will do the trick too. This is an easy DIY. Just go done in about 15 minutes.

But now my little parking lights are not working. Odd they'd both burn out at once. Hopefully this isn't another issue.

 

Thanks for the detailed explanation! Did this on Saturday to my 2001 Carrera 4. I only cleaned the switch, didn't replace it. The switch is working perfectly now.

 

Going to try the cleaning solution first.