986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - Ignition key stuck

U023 · 05-28-2023, 07:45 AM

Hello,
I acquired a 98 Boxster from an elderly family friend. It has 98K miles and auto transmission. After about a week the ignition key got stuck in ignition, would not return to the 0 position. Most posts on the forum advise to replace the electrical part of the ignition key. In my case it feels more like a mechanical issue and found that the release cable mounted at the front of shifter wasn’t moving when shifting out of Park. I removed the center console and the Automatic Gear Selector Shifter and bench tested the shift lock solenoid. I believe that the solenoid is bad, it isn’t making any movement when supplying 12v. An order for a used shifter assembly has been placed.

#1. Can someone confirm my understanding of the shift lock operation? Is the following correct: with ignition on, shifting from Park to Drive, the solenoid should engage and pull the shift lock cable connecter out, so that the ignition key can’t be removed?

#2. I ordered a replacement ignition switch on Amazon 4A0905849B and found that the top-end of that switch is about 4 mm taller than the original switch, preventing the switch from going in full to be flush with the aluminum housing. Is this a known fitting issue. Can I still use this switch?

#3. After reinstalling the original ignition switch, the key won’t turn from 0 to I position. Is this normal? Battery is disconnected. Does it require power to allow turning the key?

The 12v battery is fully charged and fairly new.

05-28-2023, 07:45 AM	#1
U023 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SF bay area Posts: 5	Ignition key stuck \| A/T with shift lock issue? Hello, I acquired a 98 Boxster from an elderly family friend. It has 98K miles and auto transmission. After about a week the ignition key got stuck in ignition, would not return to the 0 position. Most posts on the forum advise to replace the electrical part of the ignition key. In my case it feels more like a mechanical issue and found that the release cable mounted at the front of shifter wasn’t moving when shifting out of Park. I removed the center console and the Automatic Gear Selector Shifter and bench tested the shift lock solenoid. I believe that the solenoid is bad, it isn’t making any movement when supplying 12v. An order for a used shifter assembly has been placed. #1. Can someone confirm my understanding of the shift lock operation? Is the following correct: with ignition on, shifting from Park to Drive, the solenoid should engage and pull the shift lock cable connecter out, so that the ignition key can’t be removed? #2. I ordered a replacement ignition switch on Amazon 4A0905849B and found that the top-end of that switch is about 4 mm taller than the original switch, preventing the switch from going in full to be flush with the aluminum housing. Is this a known fitting issue. Can I still use this switch? #3. After reinstalling the original ignition switch, the key won’t turn from 0 to I position. Is this normal? Battery is disconnected. Does it require power to allow turning the key? The 12v battery is fully charged and fairly new.