Turn signal lever problem
 

After making left turns with the turn signals on, the turn signal lever does not turn off when the steering wheel is returned to straight ahead. Is there a fast and cheep trick to fix this ???

Mark
86' 944NA

buy a used one that is still functional.

Ive got the same problem,but my car has the air bag and I havent been able to worry about it that much. Just remember to shut it off.

Checkout the price for a new one, then check the price for a used one, then check the labor rate to replace it or the procedure. I'll just remember to turn mine off for a while longer.

Dave951M

I have the exact same problem only my high beams turn on as well! I was given a brand new turn signal unit by the PO, does anybody know how long or how difficult it is to install?

Not very difficult at all.

Three years ago I replaced the switch in my 86.

I had to pull the wheel, and take the plastic covers off the column. Once that was done, I think there were about four long screws and a bunch of wiring connections with stiff wires to fight with.

Why do I remember this stuff????????? :-/

patmac

That's about right...

Non-Airbag version:
Pull the wheel. Remove a screw under the ignition switch. Remove one on the other side too (underneath). There are a couple of screws on the face of the switch (the silver/white part). Pull it straight out and disconnect the wiring harness.

Put it back in the same way that it came out. It should take about 30 minutes. Not a big deal.



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Timm '88 924S

Thanks guys I'll buy a switch (used/new .... ?) and take a run at replacing it myself.

Mark
86' 944NA

Mark,

Buy the new unit. There are a couple of reasons that the old unit failed. One is from age, the other is from heat. Porsche has always been weird about sending the current for the headlights through the headlight switch. Over time this causes lots of problems. It is compounded when the switch assembly (and moreover the plastic that is used to hold the assembly together) gets old. You build up heat from from the electricity running through the switch, which then breaks down the plastic. Eventually the turn signals (and the highlow beam portion of the switch) fails. It can also be a nagging problem for those of you that have upgraded your headlamps to a higher wattage unit. This draws more current, causes more heat in the switch, causing an earlier switch failure.

To replace the switch, pull the steering wheel off, which is simple on a 944. Pull the horn pad straight towards you as you sit in the vehicle. Unhook the horn wire from the pad. Remove the nut holding the steering wheel on the steering shaft. This takes a 26mm socket if I remember correctly. After removing the nut (and the washer behind it) you should be able pull the steering wheel off. No puller necessary. Now, while lying on your back with your head in the wheel well, look under the steering column at the plastic pieces that surround the switches. You should see a bolt (might be allen headed, I can't remember!) that is used to tighten a clamp which tightens the whole assembly onto the sterring shaft. Some of the plastic trim pieces have to come off also I think. Behind the switch are electrical connectors that must be removed. Be careful, they don't pull out very far. Once you get this far, the rest if home free. If you look at your old switch assembly, you'll notice some white plastic pieces that kind of stick out on the top and bottom of where the turn signal lever is. Those are the pieces failing. If you look into the switch itself you'll see that those pieces, which are connected to a helper spring that returns the lever after your turn is complete, have broken from the main assembly. The whole switch assembly is riveted together. I opted to pull my apart, but you really can't repair the plastic piece easily. So off the the dealership I went. Make sure you get the right assembly! The cruise control, turn signal and windshield wiper switch is all one big assembly. So if you don't have cruise, or you have a turbo, or air bags, or no air bags the assembly is different.

Rob-O,

I've looked everywhere for an article that covers the switch replacement and so far this is the most info I've got on the switch and replacement. I think this write-up should be posted somewhere permanently, like the Pelican Tech-Article area or the 944-garage web site.

Thanks,

Mark
86' 944NA