Bad ignition switch advice (w/ correct 996TT part number & DIY)
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Advise on a bad ignition switch (w/ correct 996TT part number & DIY)
So I just went through a momentary, semi-heartstopping moment this past weekend. I've had my car back after the big build for just over a week, Sunday I decided to join a few friends at Cars & Caffe in Bergen County.
Everything was fine, we did some spirited driving leaving the meet to go check out a local AutoX. When its time to go home, I put the key in, turn it, and.....nothing. No start, no click. Just lights on the dash and I can faintly hear what I presume to be the fuel pump priming.
I noticed I left my radar plugged in, so my first guess was dead battery. I tried a jump, still nothing. Then as a last resort to avoid a tow, we tried push starting and the car fired right up.
The culprit, a bad ignition switch! If you go to Porsche they will advise you that you need the full ignition mechanism and have you spending $600+. The good news is that the ignition switch itself is a part shared by VW/Audi and can be had for ~$10 on Amazon Prime. (Or ~$50 at the dealer if you need it same day). It take some finagling to get under the dash, but this is absolutely a repair anyone can do on their own (take that as if I can do you, you can do it
)
Cliff Notes
Everything was fine, we did some spirited driving leaving the meet to go check out a local AutoX. When its time to go home, I put the key in, turn it, and.....nothing. No start, no click. Just lights on the dash and I can faintly hear what I presume to be the fuel pump priming.
I noticed I left my radar plugged in, so my first guess was dead battery. I tried a jump, still nothing. Then as a last resort to avoid a tow, we tried push starting and the car fired right up.
The culprit, a bad ignition switch! If you go to Porsche they will advise you that you need the full ignition mechanism and have you spending $600+. The good news is that the ignition switch itself is a part shared by VW/Audi and can be had for ~$10 on Amazon Prime. (Or ~$50 at the dealer if you need it same day). It take some finagling to get under the dash, but this is absolutely a repair anyone can do on their own (take that as if I can do you, you can do it
)Cliff Notes
- Symptoms: Insert key, car does not start, all lights and electronics still function
- Possible Warning Sign: Intermitant A/C issues
- Correct Part Number for 996TT: 4B0905849
- DIY Guide (Ignore his Part Number, the rest is correct): http://www.pedrosgarage.com/Site_3/R...on_Switch.html
- Link to $10 Part on Amazon (non-affiliated): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Last edited by DSCOFF; Sep 1, 2016 at 02:43 PM.
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It's also Audi part # 4A0-905-849-B-VAG...Pelican Parts for around $36...they have oem #4A0-905-849-B-M56 for around $27...and a made in China part is around $11...
I'd bought one of each and they are very close in quality...don't know about the insides.
It took about an hour to R & R...if there was a panal under the steering wheel area, like my Toyota, it would have only taken 10 mins...once you remove the vent, AC duct, reach though the vent, hang upside down under the dash, scratch off the waxey red paint, and take the 2 set screws out, it took less than 10 mins to do the job. Then, you will have to spend 20minutes to put it all back together again.
I'd bought one of each and they are very close in quality...don't know about the insides.
It took about an hour to R & R...if there was a panal under the steering wheel area, like my Toyota, it would have only taken 10 mins...once you remove the vent, AC duct, reach though the vent, hang upside down under the dash, scratch off the waxey red paint, and take the 2 set screws out, it took less than 10 mins to do the job. Then, you will have to spend 20minutes to put it all back together again.
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It's also Audi part # 4A0-905-849-B-VAG...Pelican Parts for around $36...they have oem #4A0-905-849-B-M56 for around $27...and a made in China part is around $11...
I'd bought one of each and they are very close in quality...don't know about the insides.
It took about an hour to R & R...if there was a panal under the steering wheel area, like my Toyota, it would have only taken 10 mins...once you remove the vent, AC duct, reach though the vent, hang upside down under the dash, scratch off the waxey red paint, and take the 2 set screws out, it took less than 10 mins to do the job. Then, you will have to spend 20minutes to put it all back together again.
I'd bought one of each and they are very close in quality...don't know about the insides.
It took about an hour to R & R...if there was a panal under the steering wheel area, like my Toyota, it would have only taken 10 mins...once you remove the vent, AC duct, reach though the vent, hang upside down under the dash, scratch off the waxey red paint, and take the 2 set screws out, it took less than 10 mins to do the job. Then, you will have to spend 20minutes to put it all back together again.
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I was in the same boat as techweenie. were you trying to click bait us? haha. Good information to know though. thanks for the "advice." haha
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i bought that very same replacement with the vw/audi part # roughly 5 years ago, and it hasn't acted up again. was 9 bucks back then! hah
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Yeah my ignition switch went out on Tuesday as well, my AC wouldn't work and I just replaced it two weeks ago but my last one lasted 2 years. I just order them from Napa for $11 yes they are cheap Chinese made and quality is not the best but I always keep an extra one around, now it only takes me 15 min to change it out.
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Be wary of the $11 part. I swapped in a cheap Chinese knockoff part and then had all sorts of battery discharge issues. I finally figured out what was up when it rained on my car while it was parked and the automatic wipers came on - with the key in my pocket! Switched to the VW sourced part, Bosche?, and I've not had a single issue since!
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Good update for the crew-- Another warning sign, you turn off your car and remove your key . . . The radio is still on. A quick jiggle of the key slot, turns off the radio-- Thanks, KH
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Originally Posted by Turbopun
Sorry if I missed it, is the Amazon part OEM? Does NAPA sell the factory VAG part, or is it generic?
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If the key is stiff to remove, must be jiggled to turn, or various electrical circuits don't work (wipers, headlights, a/c) those are all warning signs. Ignore it long enough and it may trap they key apparently 