2002 911 starting problem
 

I am having problem with starting my 2002 911. I have to turn the key on several times every time I start. Luckily, it's been starting at all times but I am afraid it will quit someday and more importantly it's taking longer/more tries before it starts. The only think I can think of relating to this is this: The key casing has been acting up and I have to turn slightly to left in order to have electrical components like wiper, radio, AC, fan etc to be turned on. I am wondering if there is a weak contact point in the key casing electrically... I stopped by the dealership and asked about this. All they could say was that I have to pay for the diagnosis first as they have no idea what it could be. Does anyone know or had this kind of issue with this car?

One thing I forgot to mention is that if the car has been driven recently it starts easier. If it has been sitting more than one day, it takes longer to start. I am not sure if this helps or not but this is the case.

Try posting this in the 996/997 forum as this is the air-cooled section. Hope you can resolve your issue.

The 996 forum on rennlist is quite active. I would check there as well.

Echo the Rennlist 996 forum - you won't get any joy on this air cooled forum.....

Except for the fact that there are former airheads liek me lurking around who now enjoy the reliability and performance of the 996 cars.

Your problem is likely the ignition switch itself. They are cheap, although not particularly cheerful little devices. They do go flakey.

Buy from Porsche and get fleeced or buy from your local VW/Audi dealer for $30 or buy from the internets for $10.

Install is typically aggravating but easier than it is on an air cooled 911.

First, thank you for the referals to the proper sites; water cooled and renn. And, thanks to jwetering for suggesting repair/replacement on the key housing. I might just do that to see if that would take care of this problem as I need to fix that anyway.

Whoa - be careful there. Make sure you're getting the right part. You can download the 996 Parts catalogue (PET) here:

http://www.porsche.com/all/media/pdf/originalparts/usa/996_USA_KATALOG.pdf


And go to figure 403-05. (section 4 - steering). Part #22 is the part you're after. They call it the "ignition starter switch". It's a plastic electrical switch that plugs in to the back of the key lock.

Notoriously flakey - cheap if you don't buy from Porsche. It's a very common German car part.

If you mean the igntion switch, this link should help:

Replace Ignition Switch :: Repairs :: Greg's 2004 Porsche 996

Ignition switches go bad all the time. They have been "redesigned" through-out the years.