As I go through this new-change-things-around phase, I want to try to document for others certain projects that required “thought” and “figuring”. The first in the series is the Porsche replica ignition switch. I wanted the smooth feel of a Porsche switch, and Porsche keys, although most 356s may not have had the early 911-look small Porsche key.
I ended up buying 3 switches and returning two. The first was a Bosch switch from SMC. It was nice enough but I didn’t realize it required a start button. I didn’t want that, so that was a bust.
The second was an expensive Porsche replica from SMC that comes with the small key with Porsche logos, like an early 911 (or maybe late 356s). I went for that on the spur of the moment because SMC didn’t have a Bosch regular ignition switch. I bought 12 of the special Porsche bullet connectors to go with the switch because the switch requires them.
It was expensive so I looked on ebay and found a regular Bosch switch to compare. When they both came, I hemmed and hawed it decided on the Porsche replica because I was surprised the Bosch doesn’t fit a Porsche key even though it looks like it might.
So now the puzzling. A Porsche replica switch uses Bosch electrical numbering, and 5mm bullet connectors that seem to be a Porsche-only part. The VMC switch has “IGN,” “ACC, “BAT,” and “ST” markings, not numbering.
The old IGN wires go on the Porsche “15” sockets, the BAT wires go on the 30 sockets, and the ACC wires go on the 54 sockets and the ST wire goes in the 50 socket.
In short (pun intended),
