aviography

I recently noticed my reverse lights no longer work, since both light bulbs checked out fine, the reverse switch is most likely the culprit.

I found Car Quest to have this part, see http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/ca...1/805.html#804 lower right hand corner, part number 53-11798

Porsche number is 996.606.103.01.

Best part of this is the cost, it's only $9 or so tax in even up here with 13% tax.

Sneaky Pete

I changed mine a few years back. Be careful with non-oem. I bought an aftermarket part, installed it and it leaked transmission fluid so I tried to tighten it and snapped in half. The DIY is straight forward. The sucking sound you will hear when you remove the old one will surprise you....don't worry about the gurgle. The switch is on the top left (drivers side). Feel for the wire and you are home. Good luck!

aviography

Thanks for the heads-up! I haven't install it yet due to time constraint.

There was no O-ring or crush washer with the new switch, I think I may go get a fiber or aluminum washer to seal against possible leakage.

white out

Hit the original sensor with PB blaster. Try to give PB as much time to soak before attempting to loosen the sensor.

Loren

Never seen one that needed any anything but light effort to remove.
Perhaps someone had a leak and used sealant or thread locker on yours?

aviography

That's good to hear, I'd prefer to craw underneath the car only once to do this.

I also didn't bother picking up any gasket, if it's not leaking now then the new switch shouldn't either, I might put some heavy grease on the thread of the switch when installing to prevent the thin transmission fluid from seeping out.

I'm somewhat surprised the reverse switch has already failed with a little over 60K miles, I have never had a reverse switch fail in any of my other cars or anyone I know of, especially considering this car is unused for 4 or 5 months every year.

At least the part is cheap!

sjg1138

Mine failed at about the same mileage. Was super easy to get off, surprising given it was on there for 14 years! The part was only $11.00 from Pelican. Very easy to put the new one on and it did not have a gasket of any kind between the part and the transmission.

Jason @ Paragon Products

The Porsche unit is less than $17...probably not worth taking a chance on aftermarket.

http://www.paragon-products.com/Back...06.103.01p.htm

aviography

$17 would likely double by the time the S&H and local taxes are added.

Just did the replacement, super easy job, that is once I found the switch, somewhere I read the switch is in the driver's side, so I jacked up the driver's side to gain access.

Nope, it's not on the driver's side, unless it was an UK or Aussie car......

For anyone doing this job, the switch is located at the front passenger side corner of the transmission housing, facing up, right by where the shifting bell-cranks and mechanism are under the car.

Hurdigurdiman

Mine went right around the 60000 mile mark same as yours. Doddle of a job to change. No need for anything only the switch just lightly tightened. Pull the wires off. Exchange the switch. Stick the wires back on. Easiest DIY ever. 5mins mins work tops.

Sneaky Pete

That came from me (don't believe everything you read on the interwebs)......sorry. Good job!

aviography

No worries!

BTW, is that why they call you Sneaky?

Sneaky Pete

Not sayin' just sayin'......

aviography

Well Pete, here I am not even two years later with a leaky switch by going the aftermarket route.........., it may have been slowly leaking for quite sometime, but only finally started dripping onto the garage floor this year.

Guess I will pony up for the OEM switch this time!

Ahsai

Maybe it's also a good time to replace the transmission fluid and make sure the level is proper.