2001 Boxster S Steering lock problem

[Skibum]

Hey... I wonder if anyone can give me a bit of insite here..possibly some diagrams?

Last week, I went to take my car for one of the last few drives of the year. When I got to where I was going, I got out of the car without turning off the engine (letting the car warm up). After about 10 minutes, I reached into the open window and shut off the engine. Problem was that the key felt hard to turn. No overly so, but kind of like the feeling when you need to give the wheel a little jostle before you remove the key. I kept turning, the car shut off, but the key wanted to spring back to the on position. Keeping a small bit of pressure on the key, I removed it in the proper position. Problem is the steering column did not lock, and I could not get the key back in. After a few minutes, never forcing, I was able to get the key back in and restart the car. I drove it home, and tried again, with the same result, the steering wheel never locks with the key out, and the key feels messed. Pull out the key, and it is really tough to get back in.

Anyone have any suggestions? I'd really appreciate one.

Boxster S 2001 Manual US.

Thank you.

[Tool Pants]

I would say it is the ignition switch since that is a cronic problem on the cars made pre September 2003 986/996s

[whall]

Jeff,

I was checking out some of the threads concerning ignition switches and noticed that some people refer to using an Audi replacement part. I'm not sure what the Audi part number is but my two sons' A-4 Quatros (a '96 and a '97) are being re-called by Audi to replace the switches for some of the same problems Porsche owners are finding with their cars, i.e., things won't turn on or, alternately, turn off. I don't know if other years or models are affected or if the Audi part the board members are using is the same. And (John) Lucas is known by English car owners as the "Prince of Darkness". :P

Cheers,

Bill

[Tool Pants]

In my younger days I had several English cars, and even a BSA motorcycle. I will take an Uncle Lucas ignition switch over what Porsche had been using.

Until my local dealership was sold a year or so ago, my local dealer was a combined Porsche/VW/Audi. Before the change of ownership I had a parts guy run the ignition switch through the part computers to see who was using it and how many times the switch had been revised.

Revised 4 times. Used by all 3 companies over different time frames. I even went on Audi message board and they had instructions on how to replace the switch.

Porsche did do a recall for about 3,300 1997 Boxsters. I know because I had 3 of those notices sent to me, years ago, for my car made in January 1997. The rest of you may be out of luck....