986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - Key spins round and round, steering column won't lock

roundel325 · 01-31-2020, 07:46 AM

My 99 Boxster has done this occasionally since I bought it 3 years ago:

If I stall the car accidentally then reach down and try to restart the engine without first turning the ignition fully off, the key turns infinitely in both directions. Usually if I back the key off to approximately the 'off' position and wiggle the steering wheel I can get the key to reengage and start the car.

For my wife this has happened a few times when she first tries to start the car after it's been parked for several hours. She is not as good at the wiggling of the steering wheel technique so I have to drive out and rescue her.

This happened today and caused her to miss an appointment so I guess I need to fix it or she's going to make me sell the boxster and buy a tesla or something

A forum search yields electrical switch, tumbler mechanicals, or steering column lock mechanism as possible culprits. My gut tells me it's mechanical rather than electrical. What parts would you suggest i replace first?

Thanks!

01-31-2020, 07:46 AM	#1
roundel325 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Maryland Posts: 54	Key spins round and round, steering column won't lock My 99 Boxster has done this occasionally since I bought it 3 years ago: If I stall the car accidentally then reach down and try to restart the engine without first turning the ignition fully off, the key turns infinitely in both directions. Usually if I back the key off to approximately the 'off' position and wiggle the steering wheel I can get the key to reengage and start the car. For my wife this has happened a few times when she first tries to start the car after it's been parked for several hours. She is not as good at the wiggling of the steering wheel technique so I have to drive out and rescue her. This happened today and caused her to miss an appointment so I guess I need to fix it or she's going to make me sell the boxster and buy a tesla or something A forum search yields electrical switch, tumbler mechanicals, or steering column lock mechanism as possible culprits. My gut tells me it's mechanical rather than electrical. What parts would you suggest i replace first? Thanks!