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Wiper stalk not working- until I stop, lock and unlock car!?

tedzwedz

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Joined
18 Aug 2008
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1,051
As above, noticed a very odd thing today

I was driving along, some rain appeared I tried the wipers (which had been working before) and the stalk did nothing.

At around the same time the fag lighter (which was powering the sat nav) stopped working, this may or may not be a coincidence!!!

I stopped the car, locked it, went to the petrol station, came out and unlocked and it worked again!

Same thing happened on the way back, very odd!

The fag lighter does not work at all so may be unconnected, just odd both stopped on the same journey!

Any Ideas?
 
Sounds like you need a new ignition switch.
 
HI. Mine does this too. also the blowers stop working and the demist. I have found that it only happens now and again.

So, when I start-up, I check the wipers. if they don't work, then a tiny little tweek (nudge in the direction of the off position) of the key and, hey-ho, everything works fine.

Agree with 911tom, it's the start of a failed ignition switch....but how long it'll take to pack up, ive no idea.

chris
 
easttorks964cab said:
HI. Mine does this too. also the blowers stop working and the demist. I have found that it only happens now and again.

So, when I start-up, I check the wipers. if they don't work, then a tiny little tweek (nudge in the direction of the off position) of the key and, hey-ho, everything works fine.

Agree with 911tom, it's the start of a failed ignition switch....but how long it'll take to pack up, ive no idea.

chris

Thanks guys

Are these expensive!?

Also, do we think the fag lighter packing in mid journey is a dream, unconnected?

I checked fuses, all ok
 
just wiggled the key, its v loose! and you are right, the wipers stopped then started!

v odd how connected, I hope it's not ££££!!!

Anyone know how to change it? or is it OPC/specialist job?
 
found a guide on this site by Richard Hamilton, pics are included in the link

It seems the early 996 uses a VW/Audi part

http://www.911uk.com/download.php?id=14667&sid=44acf69b01b3a5971288ed18eb791787

Fitting a New Ignition Switch
The Ignition Switch on the 996 was taken from the VW/Audi parts bin. It is a fairly
common problem for the switch to fail, giving a range of weird electrical faults, as you can
imagine. I recently had to change mine, as a piece of plastic on the end had broken, and
was preventing the switch from returning to the '1' position under the strength of the
spring. The original switch is no longer available as a separate part from Porsche, and
you have to buy the complete housing from them at a cost of around £150. However,
you can still buy the switch by itself from a VW dealer for about £22. The part number is
the same as the Porsche number: 4A0 905 849B. Alternative suppliers, such as Euro Car
Parts, also stock the original Hella switch. Don't be tempted to buy a cheap eBay item, as
they are usually Chinese-made, and poor quality.
According to the workshop manual, you can do everything from the footwell. If you
intend to try this approach I suggest you look for a two-year-old with good manual skills.
Of course, the instructions were written for a left-hand drive model, where the lock
housing is the other way up. I found that you can get access to the switch by removing
the vent from the side of the dashboard, where there is a reasonable sized hole to get
your hand through. I have mirrored the diagrams from the manual so that they apply for
RHD, but left the numbers the same. It is also worth removing the dashboard speaker (2
x T20 Torx screws) to give more light and another access point.
I didn't disconnect the battery, as I wasn't 100% sure what would happen to the alarm.
Normal procedure is to put the key in the ignition and turn to position 1 before
disconnecting the battery to prevent the alarm from sounding. (There is a backup battery
in the alarm siren). I wasn't sure what would happen when the ignition switch is
disconnected, and I didn't want any nasty surprises. The switch itself is well polarised by
offset connectors, and plastic locating pins, so I was confident that I wasn't going to short
it out somewhere, or connect it the wrong way round.
Start by removing the air conditioning duct –A-, which is simply plugged in at each end.
Pull forward the control button -25- of the light switch -31- as far as it will go in the
direction of the arrow. Press in the locking device at the underside using a small
screwdriver and remove the control button.
Undo the two fastening screws -21- at the side and the third screw –21- in the light
switch opening. Remove the side vent towards you. Disconnect the plug connection -
30- of the main light switch. Also disconnect the plug connection for the beam
adjustment switch, and put the vent cover to one side. In the opening you will see a vent
duct. This is the duct shown as –B- in Fig 1. There is a single screw in the middle of the
duct holding it in place which you should undo, and remove the duct through the footwell.
Take care with the dashboard opening, as the edges can be sharp.
You should now be able to see the ignition switch and the two screw holes which secure it
(covered in red paint). The screws are pointed grub screws, and dig into the wings of the
switch to hold it into the slots in the housing. Mark the switch connector so that you
know the orientation and pull it off the back of the switch. Scratch off the red paint
making sure you remove as much as possible. Use a small dumpy electrical screwdriver,
ensuring it fits the slots snugly, and loosen the grub screws a few turns but don't remove
them fully. Once loose, the ignition switch will slide out from the slots in the housing from
the back.
Re-assembly is a reverse process of the above.
© Richard Hamilton – September 2006
edited August 2010
 

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