Re: Ignition Switch Replacement
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:39 am
We need a like button. Good writeup Frunky.
I used what I would call a 'jeweler's screwdriver' or one that comes with a kit to keep your glasses tight. The advantage to using this (which I just had lying around) was the grip handle was big. Lots of torque.FRUNKenstein wrote: ↑Fri Sep 23, 2022 9:40 pm OK, another update. What I've learnt today:
1. The same day delivery on the ignition switch from Amazon did indeed get delivered today. Thumbs up!
2. Once you stick your head in the footwell, you can indeed easily tell if you have the older part (4A0905849B) or the newer part (4B0905849), which has the white housing. Here's the view after only removing the heater duct (which takes 2 seconds to do):
IMG_3944.jpg
So, word to the wise, before you buy or order the part, take the 2 minutes to stick your head under the dash to see which switch you've got. In a post above, I noted that apparently the older part was used up through 2003, and the new part was only placed on the 2004 and newer cars. When I replaced the switch on my 2002, it was the older part. This car is a 2001 model, so I assumed it had the older part. But, as you can plainly see in the picture, it is the newer part with the white housing. Based on the red loctite on the set screws, this is the original switch from the factory.
3. Autozone ($61.49) and NAPA ($71.99) both stock the newer part with the white housing. Amazon has them starting at $8.99 and all the way up to $20.02 (Beck-Arnley). Apparently an alternate part number (maybe Audi's part number) is 201-1790. I ordered one from Amazon with next day delivery at $16.98.
4. I grabbed what I thought was a small width flat head screwdriver tip, but it was too big. It had a size "4" stamped on it. I had one size smaller, a "3" and that worked fine. In the below picture, the 3 is the one on the left and the 4 is next to it.
IMG_3945 (1).jpg
5. Because this was the original switch, I just couldn't get enough torque on the screwdriver tip to turn one of the set screws. It was the lower one. I was able to use the bit holder in the picture above on the lower set screw, which gave me just enough grip to get it turned. The bit holder would not work on the upper set screw, but thankfully I was able to get it to turn with just the screwdriver tip alone.
This failure was fun. Dropped the kid off at a sporting event right before I was going to put the car away for the winter and the key wouldn't come out. I had to fix it in a parking lot.
I was visiting a friend's new baby and I thought WTF he lives in a good neighborhood. I didn't have a new switch in my glovebox. I probably should keep one too..