996 OBC and turn signal problem

I have an original 2003 Porsche C2 convertible. from the factory it came with the OBC computer with the four stalk turn signal and cruise. Everything has been working perfectly for 10 years. Now the lower selectors do not work. turn signals work and cancel properly around turns. Windshield wiper works perfectly. The bottom two are completely dead. No OBC, no cruise. I thought perhaps it could be a fuse, but all the fuses look good. I purchased a brand new column with 4 stalk and replaced it. Problem still exist. when I turn the steering wheel around sharp turns I can hear what sounds like squeaking or crackling inside the steering wheel housing. It definitely doesn’t sound normal. I’m not sure what else to check. Could there be something inside the steering column or a connector that’s bad because I can’t imagine I have two stalks that are bad… again, this car does come with the OBC from factory, and it has always worked perfectly fine.

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!

This is a hard one to say, as the noise you describe doesn't seem good and could be related. At the same time, looking at the wiring diagram, there is not connector between the two lower stalks and the instrument cluster where their wiring/signals go. There is a fuse B7 you can check which has to do with Cruise, but it isn't related to the OBC selector. If the steering column switch assembly has already been replaced with a new OEM unit, I would suspect your issue is with the wiring or the instrument cluster itself. First step would be to have the vehicle scanned with a PIWIS tester. I would then Ohm test the wires, then check the signals. if they check okay, I would condemn the instrument cluster.

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

One of the things I noticed is the time / clock adjust on the cluster doesnt work either... I imagine it is related to the entire stalk issue as well? I checked fuses and all look good by a OBD check. So if the turn signals and wiper stalks work, just the lower do not, but also the odom and clock adjust are not working, something must be related...

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

The cruise control stalk seemed to be NOP with my '01 Carrera 2 Cab 6-speed bought used 4 years ago. Wasn't the stalk as source of the problem. There are push button switches under the brake and clutch pedals that had worn out. I took both switches apart and refurbished the contacts. Solved the cruise control problem. A related symptom to look for when that brake switch is bad is no brake lights. Unfortunately this fix does not address issues with the OBC stalk.

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.

Does anyone not know how to fix this? Turn signal and Wipers work fine, lower two stalks = nothing. Replaced them with new 4-stalk and still nothing. I cannot get the computer to work, cruise to work and my clock adjustments wont work either. I think its something that needs to be reset or reactivated or something. Please help.

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.

Did you ever resolve this issue? I am experiencing the same

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.

You referred to some noise after installing the new 4-stalk assembly. On 996s, there is a specific dimension between the end of the steering shaft and the metal top plate ... 55mm. Too far down the shaft and you're likely to create some interference.

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.

Quotes source post: 4929037

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!