Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Performance and Technical Chat

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-27-2013, 01:38 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Miami florida
Posts: 1,591
Key hard to turn in ignition

The first time I go to start the car in the morning, it's really difficult to turn the key. It almost feels like I'm going to break it off. After it moves the first time, from then on, it turns very easily.

I've tried jiggling the wheel and I replaced the electrical portion of the switch about a year ago. I've also noticed that the steering wheel lock does not work at all.

Any ideas?

__________________
Current car

2000 Boxster 2.7l red/black

Previous cars

1973 Opel Manta
1969(?) Fiat 850 Convertible
1979 Lancia Beta Coupe
1981 Alfa Romeo GTV 6
1985 Alfa Romeo Graduate
1985 Porsche 944
1989 Porsche 944
1981 Triumph TR7
1989 (?) Alfa Romeo Milano
1993 Saab 9000
san rensho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2013, 02:53 PM   #2
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Indiana
Posts: 22
Sounds like your ignition lock cylinder itself is failing internally. Porsche dealerships normally have complete unit with updated switch in stock. Usually costs around $180 and not very difficult to install yourself. Part # 996 347 017 07
Autobahn Pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2013, 03:09 PM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Miami florida
Posts: 1,591
Do I have to re-key after I change the cylinder? My understanding that is big bucks at the dealer.
__________________
Current car

2000 Boxster 2.7l red/black

Previous cars

1973 Opel Manta
1969(?) Fiat 850 Convertible
1979 Lancia Beta Coupe
1981 Alfa Romeo GTV 6
1985 Alfa Romeo Graduate
1985 Porsche 944
1989 Porsche 944
1981 Triumph TR7
1989 (?) Alfa Romeo Milano
1993 Saab 9000
san rensho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2013, 04:05 PM   #4
Registered User
 
Spinnaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Seattle
Posts: 734
See if this older post is any help. Worth a try before spending the big bucks for a new switch assembly.

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/36472-ignition-switch-acting-up.html
__________________
2000S Ocean Blue Metallic- 116K
3X Water Pump, Clear side markers, Crios Mod, Front engine mount, Flywheel, clutch, RMS, AOS, MAF, serpentine belt, power brake vacuum line, battery, 2X CV boots, Fuel filter, Oil filler tube, 3X ignition switch, 90K service, gas cap
Spinnaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2013, 04:51 PM   #5
Registered User
 
barkinfool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 153
Garage
I believe you might find that simply changing the ignition switch for <$15 might be a great first step to see if this fixes the issue. If you search ignition switch you will find many discussions of this part that commonly fails. You likely won't have to replace the whole mechanism if you start with the switch only. Worth the effort first IMO.
__________________
Barkinfool
'02 Boxster S
barkinfool is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2013, 04:53 PM   #6
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Miami florida
Posts: 1,591
Yes, I read that post, but my problem is the steering wheel lock does not work at all, so I'm thinking it's the Ignition lock cylinder, the mechanical portion, that's failing.
__________________
Current car

2000 Boxster 2.7l red/black

Previous cars

1973 Opel Manta
1969(?) Fiat 850 Convertible
1979 Lancia Beta Coupe
1981 Alfa Romeo GTV 6
1985 Alfa Romeo Graduate
1985 Porsche 944
1989 Porsche 944
1981 Triumph TR7
1989 (?) Alfa Romeo Milano
1993 Saab 9000
san rensho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2013, 04:55 PM   #7
Registered User
 
barkinfool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 153
Garage
OK, maybe someone else can comment. I admit, I didn't recall the wheel lock not working in my case....
__________________
Barkinfool
'02 Boxster S
barkinfool is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2013, 06:37 PM   #8
1999 base
 
Meir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 1,617
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by san rensho View Post
Do I have to re-key after I change the cylinder? My understanding that is big bucks at the dealer.
For my understanding, the mechanism comes without the key portion, and you need to use the old part, that matches your existing key.
I'm posting this from my iPad, so I can't show a picture, but if you will look at the part, you will understand what I mean.
Meir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2013, 01:56 PM   #9
1999 base
 
Meir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 1,617
Garage
got some pics for you.
the assembly with the key on it.



the new assembly without the key portion.





looks like you need to lift the two tabs, and move the key portion from old to new assembly.
Meir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2013, 04:51 PM   #10
Track rat
 
Topless's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southern ID
Posts: 3,701
Garage
My key was difficult to turn and it was the common failed ign switch jamming the works. The $15 part fixed it.

__________________
2009 Cayman 2.9L PDK (with a few tweaks)
PCA-GPX Chief Driving Instructor-Ret.
Topless is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page