Ignition Key Rotates In Cylinder

[Hedges]

2001 C2 Cab. 58K At this weekend’s DE event I went to startthe car and the key rotated, in both directions, in the cylinder withoutengaging. After a few frantic moments Ifinally jostled the steering wheel around and the key engaged. Any ideas on what the issue may havebeen. Rest of the day the key workedfine but I was gentle. Thank you.

[714dre]

that sounds to me like your ignition switch assembly going bad....

mine would do odd things intermittently, no headlights, no a/c, etc...

I swapped it out and have had no problems since.

DIY here: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?/tutorials/article/30-diy-upgraded-ignition-switchlock-installation-for-996boxster/

[Hedges]

that sounds to me like your ignition switch assembly going bad....

mine would do odd things intermittently, no headlights, no a/c, etc...

I swapped it out and have had no problems since.

DIY here: http://www.renntech....for-996boxster/

I replace the plastic ignition switch last summer after I had trouble removing the key. Is this the same thing?

[svansyoc]

This is not quite the same thing, the key cylinder is normally held into the housing with a spring loaded tab, it may be getting weak or was not seated properly. If just the plastic switch was changed out last time this would not have been apart, but if a new cylinder assy with switch was changed(the only way available from porsche with old style switch) this would have been traded out into the new cylinder... if you put the key to position two(right before start/crank position) pull on the key and if cylinder comes out again, push it straight back in and take in to have it looked at, if it doesn't come out it's probably ok.

[Hedges]

This is not quite the same thing, the key cylinder is normally held into the housing with a spring loaded tab, it may be getting weak or was not seated properly. If just the plastic switch was changed out last time this would not have been apart, but if a new cylinder assy with switch was changed(the only way available from porsche with old style switch) this would have been traded out into the new cylinder... if you put the key to position two(right before start/crank position) pull on the key and if cylinder comes out again, push it straight back in and take in to have it looked at, if it doesn't come out it's probably ok.

Not that the other post are incorrect, yours seems to make more sense based on what I have read and your comments. It seems that I recall that I did push the cylinder in and there was a click just before it started working again. I will keep any eye on it. Thanks for your post.

[714dre]

I agree that svansyoc is on the right track... but FYI- the link I posted, the line that starts with "Remove the key cylinder"...

Not that I am suggesting you to remove the cylinder, but that section may give you some help in understanding how it clicks in etc...

good luck.