996 turn signal not cancelling

Hello folks, I have a 99 996 Carrera, and am very familiar with them as a former Porsche employee of the past. When I hear an unusual sound, it normally indicates a coming problem. For the past few days, when using the turn signals, I heard several clicks when applying the turn signals, before the stalk was in the full up or down position to activate the indicator, etc. New sound - never heard it before. Now the turn signals won't "cancel and return" to their middle position, the signal still blinks until I manually pull it back to up or down, back to the middle. What is causing this or what needs to be replaced, without letting the mechanic rabbit hole the problem for untold hours @$150 an hour. Who has had this problem, and what fixed it? My appreciation for solutions out there, stay safe!

I had a broken turn signal stalk. The inside had cracked so it would not stay clicked over or reset. I ordered a new 4-column stalk abd replaced everything... Now my 2 lower stalks do not work. I cannot use the selector for the screen nor the cruise control, neither seem to work. Turn signals and washer ones work fine. Any ideas? 2003 911 Convertible

Had the same happen to mine. I was considering dismantling the pieces and checking if it can be fixed.

When you say you purchased a *new* 4-column stalk, did you purchase it from a local dealership or an official Porsche parts retailer online? If so, I'd contact them about a return. The 4 stalk part is pretty much plug and play. Therefore, I'd contact them for a replacement. Question, when you installed the unit, did you unplug the negative ground on the battery?

It's likely that the turn signal stalk is faulty. The plastic pieces that cause the click and to cancel the turn signal are likely damaged. It may be available as a turn signal stalk or it may come with the entire clock spring assembly behind the steering wheel. I highly doubt you'd be able to repair it without replacing it. -Jesse

Okay, hopefully this was done right... It was from a used parts retailer, but in near mint condition. It's been a long time since I ordered and i'm sure past warranty date or return. Secondly, yes the battery was disconnected from what I remember. I had a mobile mechanic install, but he took it off again to ensure connections were solid. We are both stumped because you are right, it seems plug and play, but i started thinking some of these had 2 stalks, 3 stalks, or 4 so maybe something was not connected right. My old car was 4 so I bought direct fit replacement.

I've seen videos of repair attempts. You need to be pretty adept mechanically to effect a good repair. First, knowing how to disable the airbag device before removing the steering wheel. Then knowing how to carefully remove the rivets holding the turn signal assembly together, without destroying it. Next, opening it up and watching for one or both of the broken plastic fingers to fall out. Then deciding if a suitably reinforced epoxy repair (using some fabric or fibre) will work. I don't believe a simple gluing is strong or durable enough. Plus as fingers, they need to be flexible enough to bend. Finally, reassembling all of it. Not for the faint of heart. In my case I've spent the past 2 years doing the turn signal cancelling manually. Maybe I'll tackle it this spring.

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Quote: In my opinion, the part is defective. Now, you have a couple of options: 1.) return it or... 2.) open up the electronics to begin tracing the source of the problem. It can be simply broken solder joints or a disconnected wire. That can take time.. a lot of time! If it were me, I'd return it unless you got a steal on it. I just replaced my light switch. While it was tempting to save money and purchase one used, I didn't want the hassle and bought a replacement from Porsche. The 4 column stalk unit is similar in that it is both electronic and mechanical which means it usually wears out from the physical use on switching it on and off.

Pelican parts sells the piece right https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/99661321911EWC.htm?pn=996-613-219-11-EWC-OEM&gclid=CjwKCAiAjeSABhAPEiwAqfxURZ8YQC6OEBNDgXAu 3dLObvF9OZ09DfkdGMnnlGYCRJA1trr50d1EbBoCWiYQAvD_Bw E]here. You have to replace the whole piece can't open and replace the broken plastic pieces. The hard part is removing the steering wheel. Mine has had this issue for over 4 years now, it bothers me but not enough to pay some one to do it or me doing it. My Porsche shop shot charged me 3 hours for labor.

hmm, never occurred to me to take it apart and look at the internals and wiring but your right. Simplicity, ha. Yeah, returning might not be an option, it was through eBay and was about 6 months ago, just had no one to help install until recently. Thanks for the info.

This is what the inside looks like. It's spring loaded so things pop out when you remove the cover. The turn signal stalk is on the left. This is the piece that breaks and causes your turn signal stock to not return. It's for the right turn signal in this case. I'm pointing to the same (unbroken) piece for the left turn signal. Unfortunately, there is no way to repair this. You have to buy a new assembly. Shop around - I found a brand-new one for $100 below list price at the Porsche dealer in Las Vegas. 996.613.219.01 is the latest incarnation.

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Quote: Ouch. Frustrating isn't it? That's why I just say screw it and buy part news that are difficult to install. For example, last year my coolant expansion tank sprung a leak. After reading how hard it was to install (i.e. lower engine, flush coolant, remove fuel and coolant hoses, etc.) and the horror stories with aftermarket tanks, I decided to purchase a genuine Porsche part. Yes it was a lot more money, but at least I don't have to do it twice. Cheers!

I just completed a repair of a friend's turn signal mechanism on his '04 911 4S Cab. The self cancelling function did not work. The solution is a slight re-engineering of the two plastic spring fingers molded into the hub of the stalk. As mentioned by others who attempted a repair, simply gluing new plastic fingers always results in joint failure in short order. In my 'new and improved' solution, I used portions of medium sized steel binder clips that were attached with small screws like you find in glasses repair kits. Additionally, I soldered pieces of copper to the tips of the new spring fingers and shaped them to mimic those areas on the broken fingers. Why use a piece of spring steel from a binder clip? Because they have a preformed loop in which the double S wire spring gets inserted! A final note ... reassembly is a bear, and not for the faint of heart! More details and pix can be provided on request.

You can remove your computer stalk from your old one (assuming it was working) and simply install on the new one. They are a simple two screw installation. This would at least eliminate if it is indeed the stalk or a wiring issue.

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Quote: Well done; it would great if you posted a picture of your repair. Thanks

Here are several pics of the first one I upgraded. Current ones use slightly beefier screws and modified slides on the spring ends.

Thank you. That looks solid and should last a lifetime. What are those wedges made of underneath the spring clips?

Funny you should ask. First one used scrap copper chunk that was ground to shape. Now I use a piece of folded copper sheet. Just remember that reassembly is a bear!