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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHIgnition switch bad, or is it the whole thing?
Reported or suspected cause
cheap fix
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
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Leading evidence: 'cheap fix' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'cheap fix' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Adjust reading glasses is the sort of size you're looking' (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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Adjust reading glasses is the sort of size you're looking
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Reported fixes
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Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
A jewelers screwdriver or one for adjusting reading glasses is the sort of size you're looking for.
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 suspect a cause
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Suspected cause
Very very common failure on early 996 and 986 - most likely the issue you're feeling.
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
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Suggestion
So you should try the $15 fix first, before springing $450 for the stealership to replace the whole lock (keeping your existing tumbler to maintain the existing keys)
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.
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Suggestion
If you go to the stealership, they now replace the whole switch unit with a new part number, but the Audi part fixes the problem for another 7 years of driving, and is cheap!!
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.
Suggestion
So you should try the $15 fix first, before springing $450 for the stealership to replace the whole lock (keeping your existing tumbler to maintain the existing keys)
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.
Suggestion
If you go to the stealership, they now replace the whole switch unit with a new part number, but the Audi part fixes the problem for another 7 years of driving, and is cheap!!
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.
15 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: 20261026T161109Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
My ignition feels slow when I turn the key - like someone poured honey into the key slot.
Is this the ignition switch, or is it the whole ignition that needs replacing? I don't have any electric glitches (so far), just the stickey motion.
What am I in for?
I bought it on Long Island, an hour and a half away. I would rather take care of the little stuff myself, or, bring it to the local Porsche dealer (under aftermarket warranty) if the items add up.
Andy.
Do a search...there was a lengthy thread here about a mounth ago. The problems with removing the ignition switch just got worse and ended up with comments about hammers. chisels and hack saws. Sounded like a project to avoid. A mechanic once told me he hid when the service manager was looking for someone to work on an ignition switch.
Good luck but this one should likely go to the pros.
Tom
Really? I read threads that showed it took 5 minutes to do the switch. I did read it was complicated to do the whole assembly, which is why I want to know if a slow stickey feel is switch, or whole assembly related.
The switch is an easy fix with an AUDI part number
EBAY auction 260107289792 has one for sale
Very very common failure on early 996 and 986 - most likely the issue you're feeling.
A DIY project, but somewhat of a squeeze to get to up in the dash!
If you go to the stealership, they now replace the whole switch unit with a new part number, but the Audi part fixes the problem for another 7 years of driving, and is cheap!!
Chris.
There are two possible failures.
Probably 80-90% if the time, it's the cheap switch that fails
The rest of the time the actual lock-mech fails and needs swapping at the dealership (Note Porsche only do the whole lock mech these days!)
So you should try the $15 fix first, before springing $450 for the stealership to replace the whole lock (keeping your existing tumbler to maintain the existing keys)
Thanks. I tried finding the two screws that hold the ignition switch on, but couldn't get my head in there to see them!? And another thing...Owwww! Is there a trick?
The screws are here - covered in red screw-lock paint
The screws face the side air vent so you need a very small screwdriver to get in there.
A jewelers screwdriver or one for adjusting reading glasses is the sort of size you're looking for.
Oh, and take plenty of pain killers before you start!!!1
How small are these screws? I have several jewelers screwdrivers, but I thought the screws would need a larger handle for leverage? Or do they loosen pretty easily?
Symptoms sounds like it is just the electrical switch from the back of the ignition cylinder. If at all possible do not even attempt to remove the ignition cylinders, it also involved remove the steering wheels etc.
I had the same exact problem with my 996, I had a hard time to believe that it was just a stupid little switch because it really felt there was something wrong with the cylinders. But turned out to be a cheap fix! DO NOT try to obtain this part from the Porsche stealer, they want to sell you the entire ignition module. Walk next door to the Audi dealer. (They are always next to each other).
The two flat screw that holds the switch in place is not very visible, you will need modify a short stubby flat screw driver in order to fit it into the screw head. A small mirror on a pole will also help too. Took me about 1 hours to complete this DIY and 2 days of back pain.
Good luck!
I already got an ebay switch for $15. I have to recover from removing my clutch helper spring - my back and shoulder still hurt!
Why Porsche didn't put the set screws facing the floor is beyond me. They always seem to think their cheap plastic switches and parts will last forever!
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