Ignition switch question?

Hello all. I have a 2002 C2 that needs a new ignition switch. In doing research, I know there is an updated assy, and the switches are different. In the listings i see, it mentions a steering column lock with the new part. We have had the car for a few years, but i dont know if it has the original or updated assy. Is a locking steering column a sure way to tell if it has the new or original ign assy? Or do the original ones also lock the steering column? Also, is there a specific brand to choose or avoid? Im assuming if i pick the wrong one my water pump will disintegrate and my ims will explode, correct? Thanks for any advice!

I've gone through this a couple of times and was planning on doing a comparison of the various options but have not gotten around to it yet. Soon...Anyway, 1. Your 2002 is the same as mine, you should have the original part, not the upgraded one unless someone has been in there before you. 2. Replacing the switch is easy, the worry is that the replacement will break soon as well. 3. I used the cheapest replacement originally last year and it broke soon after. Most recently I ordered both the cheapest and the OEM equivalent part from Warehouse33.com. The cheap one was $6, the OEM one was $26. 4. The long and short of it is that I used the $26 one (also known as the $30 part depending where you get it and who you talk to) this time. After comparing it to what the car came with from the factory I am fairly confident (so far) that it should hold up just as long (i.e. another 14 years) and that it IS the identical part and not just a knockoff built to the same specs. 5. So my recommendation is get the $26 one from Warehouse33.com, use "rennlist" as the coupon code for 10% more off, get the cheapest shipping option which turned out to be USPS Priority Mail and spend half an hour upside down in your footwell. As long as you are no taller than 6'1" and weigh no more than about 215 (which are my specs) you will only be very uncomfortable but not excruciatingly so. There are several excellent writeups out there on the exact procedure. 6. Enjoy your car again and pat yourself on the back for saving a ton of money but not cheaping out so much that you are uncertain about whether or not you'll be doing it again shortly... PS: I have no affiliation with warehouse33.com and had not used them before this, they were great. Also, on the upgraded ignition assembly the switch is NOT removable apparently so you will know if you have the old or new simply by dint of that.

What he said. I took out the drivers seat. Made it a lot easier And I don't know why no one ever mentions this, but the hardest part I had was seeing. It's at the right distance and I must be at the right age where I could not focus on it. Thank god I had small kids to hold magnifying glass and flashlight.

Thanks for the responses guys. Im 6'-5" and around 3 bills, so either my 5'-2" wife or 9 YO son will have to help, or out comes the seat!

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Headband flashlight is the key for jobs like this

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+1. An LED headlight is an awesome resource for this DIY.

Hi RGrove, I just had my ignition switch on my 2002 C4 go and just finished replacing it. I'm happy to report that the $27.75 4A0-905-849-B-M56 from Pelican worked and I can drive my car again !! While Pelican has a walk through on the repair, I found a website with "Greg's 2004 996 Replace Ignition Switch" that nicely walks you through the process and requires minimal time under the dashboard. It took me about 20 minutes to remove and 20 minutes to replace. If your C2 isn't a daily driver, I'd just go pull the part to confirm and then order the new one. You'll be back driving in a couple of days (depending on your shipping option). I had my head lamp on, so I'll +1 the guys above on that suggestion. Ward

Don't fall for the part in some of the DIYs that says you need to remove the left side of the dash where it meets the door - it's not necessary. If the switch is the factory original, close your eyes as you are scraping the thread lock off the top of the screws or it will end up in your eyes (ask me how I know). And the only tool you'll need is a very small flathead screwdriver tip bit - slightly bigger than a jeweler's screwdriver. Oh, btw, I'm 6'0" 250 lbs, so it's a little tight in there but you can do it without removing the seat. Lay a towel or blanket over the door sill for padding.

Thanks to everybody for the replies and advice. New switch on order, I'll swap it this weekend.

Hey guys, just wanted to give a quick update. Maybe this will help someone in the future. Overall, really easy job. I looked through the Bentley manual before I started and saw a few things in there that were a little different than most of what I saw online. The way I did it didnt require hanging upside down under the dash. I ended up taking out the dash vent first. After that, I took out the ductwork that runs under the dash, and then the ductwork that connects to the back of the dash vent. That duct has a single phillips screw inside the duct at the elbow behind the vent. Use a flashlight and it will be pretty obvious. Once that screw is out, remove that duct through the bottom of the dash. Once that is out of the way, remove the escutcheon around the ignition switch. Now, with a good flashlight from the side or below, you can get a good view of the switch and screws needed to replace. Only hard thing was bending my arm up under the dash to get to the lower screw, but if you sit on a stool or the floor next to the car its not bad. Just position yourself for a clear line of sight through the trim hole and its pretty easy. It took longer than it could have though, as after I got the old switch out, my 9 YO son took an interest and decided he wanted to help. So I let him put it all back together while I watched. He found it easier to hang upside down under the dash to put the new switch in (oh to be young again!). He did a great job, and Im pretty sure that he is probably the only 3rd grader who has put a new ignition switch in a 911.... Thanks to all for the advice, and hopefully these notes help someone else out.

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That's how I got into working on cars, helping my dad. Your son is going to be one of the few carrying on the tradition. Very cool.

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Thanks! He has always really been into cars, but this was the first time he wanted to get involved and actually work on one. It was pretty cool to see him get the feeling of satisfaction when it was done, and I let him start it for the first time. My dad always kind of liked cars, but had little ability or interest in working on them, so Im not too sure where I picked up my interest. Im glad to have it in common with my son. He is a full on car nut though. His favorite movie is LeMans, and for cubscouts one year for his pinewood derby car it had to be a McLaren M8A can am car (came out pretty good, too). He is a big fan of almost any old car and new sportscars. I could go on, but Ill leave it with the fact that when he got his first "real" bike, he picked the one that was flat black with red flames and red wheels with whitewalls!