[joep]

Today on a road trip in the backwoods of VA (bumpy gravel roads included) I noticed that in starting up the car the ignition switch turned very heavy almost sluggishly off. It didn't quite make it to the off position but i could remove the key with a little effort. When I restarted the cr I recall hearing an unusual notice in the vicinity of the engine but it was too brief to almost notice.

A little later on down the road when it was getting colder as the sun came down we notice the heated seats wouldn't turn on. Put the top up and noticed after while the AC was "on" per the console but no air was blowing at all. The coup de grace was when it got dark and I found the main head lights were "out" as was the high beams. I could use the high beams in flash mode only so I drove the whole way home holding then in the "on" position.

All other electrical seems to work fine. I did a quick check of a few fuses, nothing seems blow there.

This circumstance is unusually sucky for me since my main vehicle inconveniently had the water pump hosing brake on my Friday night while driving home. That took out the water pump, alternator, power steering, and cut into the radiator. All because a bearing on the shaft of the water pump gave.

So I am suck to daytime driving til the pcar is normal.

Any suggestions what this might be? I'll be heading for the garage 1st thing rather than work tomorrow morning.

[Rick V]

Ign. switch. Not uncommon.
I have a spare housing if you should need it.

[chris prack]

The new part comes as a complete housing with the electrical part included. Change the whole thing and be done with it.

[turbo23dog]

Here's a link to the DIY I followed when I replaced this part on my 2000 S. The part cost me $40 at a local Audi dealership. You'll want to bookmark the main Pedro's garage page. Tons of great stuff there for Boxsters...

http://www.pedrosgarage.com/Site_3/R...on_Switch.html

[smdubovsky]

x3 ign switch. The new part chris mentions is the new update (and $$$.) You can still buy the cheap vw/audi part to replace the orig. Thats the route I went (figuring the orig lasted 100k...) IIRC, you simply need to wiggle the heater tube out, pop connector off, and then use a SHORT screwdriver to get the screws out/in. Other than laying upside down in the seat to look under the dash was pretty darn easy as car things go.

[joep]

Ok! thx all for the quick responses. From the how-to it looks easy enough if I can get the part quickly.

But how/why would the ignition switch being affecting those components?? That's an engineering mystery to me if I can still operate the car.

[Dr K]

Hey, don't forget the possibility of renting a car in the meantime. Drive safely.

[smdubovsky]

Ign sw controls switched power which runs most everything in the car (think of all the stuff that turns off momentarily as you crank - lights - radio - top - everything). When Jens went bad, the crank contact went bad too (something breaks off inside and moves.) Had to BARELY turn the key past run to get it to start. If you just turned it all the way, you'd go past the contact, get 1/4s of cranking and then nothing. She had been complaining about the lights not working right for a few days

[joep]

WTF?? just called around for parts, and both audi and pdealerships have it. But stearlerships want $600+ to install it!

btw: the dealership says its this part # 99634701707 http://www.babblers.org/forums/attac...8&d=1182287569

vs the above part description: http://www.pedrosgarage.com/Site_3/R...on_Switch.html

The was ~160 or 50 depending on the brand. From what you all said above, is that what they would charge?? I expect to pay a premium for labor, but that's outrageous!

[smdubovsky]

The part you show is the new updated one that replaces EVERYTHING. It is expensive and prob takes a good while to replace (the whole ign lock has to come out - who knows how much of the dash and other stuff has to come apart.) The old switch only part like pedro shows is easily <1hr to replace. I'd offer to do it for you, but Im heading out of town tonight until Wed (unless you want to come to columbia MD for lunch)