19 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHFirst symptoms: time to order a new ignition switch
Reported or suspected cause
clunking/reset part
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
First symptoms: time to order a new ignition switch
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Leading evidence: 'clunking/reset part' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'clunking/reset part' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check battery connections and the y cable' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The ignition switch is a whole matrix of issues that when replaced defies all common sense.
First symptoms: time to order a new ignition switch
Replace ignition switch
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I recently replaced the ignition switch which cured some issues I was having, but the key still seems harder to turn than �normal � as far as I�m concerned.
First symptoms: time to order a new ignition switch
Replace switch a few times
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I've replaced my switch a few times but the symptoms keep coming back.
First symptoms: time to order a new ignition switch
Check battery connections and the y cable
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
I would check the battery connections and the Y cable.
First symptoms: time to order a new ignition switch
Replace ignition switch
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I recently replaced the ignition switch which cured some issues I was having, but the key still seems harder to turn than �normal � as far as I�m concerned.
First symptoms: time to order a new ignition switch
Use paper clip inserted through the tiny hole just above
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Discussions that contain suggestions
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
has anyone tried removing the front part of the ignition - the part where the key is inserted - using the paper clip inserted through the tiny hole just above and to the right of the keyhole method??
First symptoms: time to order a new ignition switch
Coverage and how to read this overview
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
19 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T120458Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
After several years of happy motoring since last replacing the electrical part of the ignition switch, my 996 has exhibited two of the earliest indications that the switch is starting to crap out:
* The ignition did not "clunk" when I removed the key - I didn't notice until I inserted the key later the same day and it clunked inappropriately.
* The fan level control on the HVAC unit would not change the fan speed until I jiggled the key.
Having been through this process twice before (once on my 986, and shortly after I acquired the 996), I know it's time to buy the part and keep it in the center console along with the shorty jeweler's screwdrivers...I now know not to wait so long that I have to wrestle the car to get the key out of the ignition...
When mine was going it began to create all types of gremlins in my car. At times it felt like my car was possessed and was really worrying me because it almost seemed like an entire electrical and HVAC system failure.
The last straw was when the key wouldn't be released one day so I knew it was time to fix.
Thankfully a pretty inexpensive part provides the fix. Unfortunately it does require you to be a contortionist under the driver's side dashboard but once you get past that it's not all bad.
Not to be a downer, but I think if you have the no "clunk" or delayed "clunk" when you remove the key, you may need the whole ignition part. The "clunk" is the steering lock at the end of the ignition popping back out.
I was worried about that the last time it happened - but the cheapo part fixed it, so I'm going to assume it's the same issue until proven otherwise. I understand that the clunk is the lock - and I don't understand how the plastic bit interferes with the non-electrical operation of the switch - but it isn't the first 996 mystery to come along and probably won't be the last.
After careful dissection and replacement this is what I learned. The switch part can get worn or the steering lock can go bad. They are not even close to each other.
If it's the switch only you can have a multitude of different problems including electrical issues from the plastic part not turning freely to the key not coming out.
If it's the steering lock there will be no electrical issues, the key will always turn back, car will shut off and key will come out. But you won't be able to put the key back in until the steering lock pops out.
The crazy part is the updated part has the electrical switch built in, so in the future you would always have to change the whole thing.
After rereading the thread I concur, probably just the switch. It was the clunking/reset part that threw me off.
I've replaced my switch a few times but the symptoms keep coming back. My problem has nothing to do with the key being difficult to move, the fan switch thing, the no clunk thing, etc. My car does little or nothing when the key is turned to start. The dash lights dim, that's it. If I turn the switch to the left and try again it fires right up. Sometimes, I have to turn the switch back and forth several times to get it started. It always starts eventually so I just deal with it. Anyone else?
I recently replaced the ignition switch which cured some issues I was having, but the key still seems harder to turn than �normal � as far as I�m concerned.
has anyone tried removing the front part of the ignition - the part where the key is inserted - using the paper clip inserted through the tiny hole just above and to the right of the keyhole method?? This would be in order to lubricate the licking mechanism?
Wondering and thinking this couldn�t hurt?
I would like to try this before replacing the entire lock mechanism.
Anyone?
If your seeing dimm lights.. I'd check the master power relays, Ignition/ECU/Fuel Pump when the contacts wear out, they get tired in a hurry.
Back in MY VW rabbit days I would just buy a handful of them and replace them all since they were standard Bosche 5 blade relays.
I would check the battery connections and the Y cable. If the lights dim and the starter is not engaging, that sounds like a voltage drop, only possible if there�s a connection issue and no load on the battery. Unless the car is programmed to dim the lights, but I don�t know why it would do that.
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