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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHCan't Remove Key
Leading reported evidence
Replace head light lamps last month
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
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Read evidence and context
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I replaced my head light lamps last month and when I pulled the headlights out, the wiring harnesses were very brittle.
Leading evidence: 'Replace head light lamps last month' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check there' (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.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
My sister lives in the countryside and their garage is used for 2 Ford Model A's.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Used my cell phone and a flash light to video the space behind the dash - above the foot well.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Anyone had this problem before or a link to a repair thread?
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.
13 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261027T003124Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Well, this is irritating. It has been somewhat sticky removing the key when shutting down, but today - nothing. Can't remove the key. Fiddled around with it, but nothing doing - it won't come out. Anyone had this problem before or a link to a repair thread? Did a few searches but couldn't find one.
Thanks.
It looks like you have an ignition switch failure.
You chan check there
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...l#post16951490
There are 2 versions, a black one (first version known to fail 4A0-905-849-B-VAG), fitting only for Models with an Original Lock Assembly:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...53&SVSVSI=996J
and a white one 99634701707 (2nd version reinforced by porsche) only compatible with the following Porsche Steering Lock Assembly:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...YNAyMX1Stm6JE8
Had the same experience with our �01 Carrera. Key was stuck for a day until a whole bunch of fiddling got it out. Before that I knew it was coming because things were stiff and finicky. Replaced it with the black switch unit and all�s good.
You need a new "search engine" !!!
I Googled "cant remove key 996" and got well over 10 "exact" threads on Rennlist...There must be hundreds more here ,because it is one of the most common things on 996 986 ...
Rennlist Archive is the s**t for finding technical threads on 996's ...
Yes, I had this too. Ended up having to squirt all sorts of penetrant deep into the lock, around the key with a very fine syringe and manipulate the key whilst poking and prodding into the mechanism with a paper clip until it eventually came out. Fairly straight forward to replace once you get the drivers air vent and headlight switch removed. Plenty of videos on line for 996 and Boxster.
Yup! I meant I searched here and couldn't find anything. I'm showing my age by not going to YouTube first rather than a forum. Found several, including a French guy who has a channel "Piston Kirk" who had an extensive video about the problem. Used my cell phone and a flash light to video the space behind the dash - above the foot well. Looks like a black unit. Ordered one from FCPEuro that should come this week.
Dave
Jeez, what crazy design. Finding the videos and explanations of the problem (lots of Boxster repair videos of the same issue) makes me question Porsche's over thinking on this. Between this and a few other issues that are related to anti-theft designs, they really put some effort into it. PITA for us latter year owners!
The Piston Kirk video:
You Tube
I've owned my 996.2 for nearly 23 years. The 996 is extremely durable, but 20+ year old parts eventually go and need to be replaced or they cause some ruckus but aren't catastrophic. Ignition switch, headlight switch, oil sender sensor are three that come to mind.
Yup. I replaced my head light lamps last month and when I pulled the headlights out, the wiring harnesses were very brittle. Yikes. Can't complain. My 996 has been cared for well in its lifetime. It is (of course) garage kept. My sister lives in the countryside and their garage is used for 2 Ford Model A's. Her car sits outside in the elements. Her insurance company just totaled her car due to rodent damage - they'd destroyed the soy based wiring insulation!
