Q – My 2006 Carerra has an odd symptom with the ignition switch. To start it, I have to turn the key very hard before it will crank and when I shut it off, I have to push in on the key to get it to turn off. My other Porsche does not work like this so I am a little worried. I am also concerned because my last car, a 2001, had an ignition switch failure that cost me almost a thousand dollars to fix. What am I in for? Pete
A – On the later cars, the mechanical linkage between the ignition cylinder and ignition switch has been eliminated and everything is now electronic. My first experience of this new design involved receiving a new lock assembly from Porsche with no key. I thought, “let’s just see if the cars key will work in the new lock”. I figured it was a long shot but perhaps it was ordered by VIN number. Nope, the later lock works with any key! However, although you can insert the key and turn it, you cannot remove the key without plugging it into the wire harness to power up the mechanism. Now since the only key that I had was inserted into the new lock, and since I had no other keys, I was oh so grateful that the harness plug was long enough to power up the switch and allow me to remove the key.
Once this was figured out, the labor to do the job and parts involved were actually reasonable compared to the older cars. My advice, don’t wait, get it fixed before it strands you. And it costs far less than a grand. MC