SteveF099 Posted September 29, 2023 Report Share Posted September 29, 2023 Hello All, The ignition switch is very stiff when turning the key to start the car. I was told to put graphite on the key to loosen up the switch. Will this damage the switch? Is there something else I should use instead? Don't want to create a bigger problem. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted September 29, 2023 Report Share Posted September 29, 2023 Common on a Boxster of that age. Not so expensive to replace, IIRC. I haven't heard of dangers from trying to lubricate it especially using graphite. Though I read pencils were banned in space due to the graphite dust potentially causing a problem with the electrics... Is the problem the key barrel or the switched electrics at the end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edc Posted September 29, 2023 Report Share Posted September 29, 2023 The switch is at the back of the barrel so I doubt graphite on the key blade itself will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted September 29, 2023 Report Share Posted September 29, 2023 The only effective solution is to change the switch. Not too difficult and not too expensive: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveF099 Posted September 29, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2023 1 hour ago, Menoporsche said: Common on a Boxster of that age. Not so expensive to replace, IIRC. I haven't heard of dangers from trying to lubricate it especially using graphite. Though I read pencils were banned in space due to the graphite dust potentially causing a problem with the electrics... Is the problem the key barrel or the switched electrics at the end? Not having any problem starting the car. Key isn't hanging up in the barrel. It's just that it feels "tight" when turning the key to start / turn off the car. Thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted September 29, 2023 Report Share Posted September 29, 2023 Some dry lube or graphite in the lock barrel may just ease it a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photogirl Posted October 1, 2023 Report Share Posted October 1, 2023 Does the key return itself normally to the accessory position? Are you having any problems removing the key? Years ago mine was doing that and as I recall it turned out to be the electrical portion of the ignition switch. If you're reasonably handy this can be a DIY job - it is a bit fiddly and getting the four screws out of the electrical module can be the hard part. As I recall there's quite a good tutorial over on the Pelican Parts site and I see one has already been linked here. I would get it sorted out promptly because it can abruptly fail with your key stuck in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted October 1, 2023 Report Share Posted October 1, 2023 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Photogirl said: Does the key return itself normally to the accessory position? Are you having any problems removing the key? Years ago mine was doing that and as I recall it turned out to be the electrical portion of the ignition switch. If you're reasonably handy this can be a DIY job - it is a bit fiddly and getting the four screws out of the electrical module can be the hard part. As I recall there's quite a good tutorial over on the Pelican Parts site and I see one has already been linked here. I would get it sorted out promptly because it can abruptly fail with your key stuck in it. There is a How To tutorial on here that is better for RHD cars as the assembly is installed inverted compared to a LHD car and makes access rather different, linked earlier in the thread. Edited October 1, 2023 by ½cwt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phazed Posted October 13, 2023 Report Share Posted October 13, 2023 Just bought a project 986S which has a stiff ignition switch, (as well as a host of other things). As the poster said, stiff to turn and return. Will try a bit of silicon spray in there prior to renewing anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted October 13, 2023 Report Share Posted October 13, 2023 51 minutes ago, phazed said: Just bought a project 986S which has a stiff ignition switch, (as well as a host of other things). As the poster said, stiff to turn and return. Will try a bit of silicon spray in there prior to renewing anything. Just change the electrical ignition swich, it is the cause, I promise! And to lubricate it you need to take it off anyway to get to the mechanism and at 20 odd years old are you going to put a fairly cheap part back in just to have to change it later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phazed Posted October 13, 2023 Report Share Posted October 13, 2023 Okay. I will have a word with my parts guy. Sounds like a plan. I am bound to have lots of other questions once I put it up in the air and go over it at the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted October 13, 2023 Report Share Posted October 13, 2023 52 minutes ago, phazed said: Okay. I will have a word with my parts guy. Sounds like a plan. I am bound to have lots of other questions once I put it up in the air and go over it at the weekend. Aftermarket ones are £25 to £40 because it is a common VAG part from ECP/CP4L. I needed mine in a hurry because of a trip to Europe was only a day and a half away when it started messing around and not releasing the key or not killing the engine so paid about £38 IIRC. Basically the plastic mechanism inside the switch starts to break down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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