ignition switch help

[bwoodall]

I need help with an ignition switch problem. Every once in a while when I turn the key, it loses auxillary power and the oil and battery lights go off and the starter just cranks. If I move the key a bit the oil and battery lights come on and car fires right up. Sounds like a bad ignition switch. Ordered a new switch, replaced the switch - old one had a crack in it. The new switch does not trigger any power at all. No lights, nothing. I figure a bad switch. Pulled out the new switch and replaced it with the old one. Same issue as before, but at least it gets power and I can always move the key around and it fires right up. Got another switch, put it in - same problem as before, no power, nothing. Back to the old switch. Anyone have any ideas?

[bwoodall]

Forgot to mention, it is an '84 944.

[Razorback1980]

Get your ohm meter out and check the new switches. Sounds like you keep getting the wrong switch for the car. Check your wiring positions and make sure when the switch is in the start position, the power goes in the same pole and out the correct one. If the switches worked alike, you wouldn't have any problems with the replacements.

[bwoodall]

When purchasing the switches at the dealer, how does one get the wrong switch? If Porsche lists the wrong switch how would I get the correct one?

[earlr85944]

could be a bad switch.
replaced one last month and the new one was defective, good idea to check readings as razor described

[Razorback1980]

Not really sure how you would get the wrong switch...does the old switch have a part number on it. Using the ohm meter will flush out the problem.

[bwoodall]

So if the Ohm meter shows that there is a problem, how do I get the correct switch since 2 different switches do not work?

[hpservertech]

If you bought a new switch from the dealer, take it back and tell them you want them to replace it. That's what the warranty is for.

[Razorback1980]

Look for a part number on your old one. The Porsche dealer should also be able to tell the exact part if you take them the old one. I'm not totally sure what is going on there, but the ohm meter will help you figure that out. It would seem that the two switches are working differently.

[kdjones2000]

Is your original one like one of these?
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/pel_search.cgi?please_wait=N&forumid=&threadid=&command=DWsearch&description=ignition+switch&I1.x=0&I1.y=0&FILTER_944M=ON&FILTER_TECH=ON&FILTER_SUPP=ON&FILTER_ACCE=ON&FILTER_CARE=ON&FILTER_STUF=ON&FILTER_PERF=ON&FILTER_MISC=ON&FILTER_GADG=ON&FILTER_TOOL=ON#

Get the one that matches your original.

If that is still causing problems, then your issues lies elsewhere

Good luck,

Keith

[bwoodall]

The problem was not with the switch, one of the wires in the harness wasn't seating properly. For some reason it would work with the old switch but not the new ones. I adjusted the harness so that the wire would make complete contact. Now the new switch works just fine.

thanks for the replys.

[Razorback1980]

Strange the wire would work with the old one but not with two different new ones but it's great that you have it fixed.

[Dean924s]

Originally Posted by Razorback1980

Strange the wire would work with the old one but not with two different new ones but it's great that you have it fixed.

When the switches crack they get a little longer. This added length will cause the old switch to push against the plug/connection and make contact. The new switch is not as long so the contact is not made. Hard to describe but I had a similar problem on my 924s

[Razorback1980]

Good to know...thanks Dean.