Ignition key won't stay in

Hi Planet-9, thanks for allowing me to join your forum. I've got a nice silver 3.4 S Cayman on a 06 plate, it has 101k miles, good FSH, lots of history paperwork, it looks like its mostly been looked after pretty well. I've been sorting various niggles with it since I bought it in February and I'm enjoying it very much so far. I fear the fix for this niggle is going to be expensive to hoping someone may be able to advise a repair option without replacing the whole unit. I've searched many forums/googled etc. and can't find any info that matches this problem. My key won't stay in the ignition without continually pushing it in whilst turning the key to start the car. It stays loosely in whilst the car is running but because it won't stay in you can't put the key in to position 1 (without holding it in) to listen to the radio for instance. Quite annoying because I've just had a nice new Alpine iLX-702D fitted. I want to fix this as its deffo not right and I could end up with no ignition any time soon, probably when I'm far from home! Any advise/help appreciated.

Needs a new ignition switch. Not particularly expensive and known to fail.

Many thanks for the response, I'm not sure its a job I'd like to take on myself and with labour I reckoned £500 to £600. I'd not heard of this problem elsewhere, just hoped someone might say its a spring thats popped out or something..... Just to clarify, you say just replace the ignition switch, do you mean the barrel part too or just the cheap electric bit on the back.

I would suggest the entire assembly. Google and you'll see detailed videos on how. I'd be surprised if your estimate is accurate. Parts in the US are roughly a couple hundred dollars and a Porsche independent mechanic can probably replace it in an hour or so. Just my guess however as mine has not failed. Good luck.

Thanks again, I'll update after I speak with my local independent Porsche garage.

Well I'm pleased to say I took your advice and bought a new ignition switch. I think I was confusing the set up with earlier models and Boxters, its actually just a black box about 3" x 2" that is held in the dash by a threaded ring and has a plug for wiring on the back. I found this video which majorly helped as it took me about 30 minutes start to finish and no cursing! I had a quote from a Mobile Porsche Specialist for £600 supply and fit (I wonder if they were confusing the barrel with Boxters) but the good news is the part cost me £260 inc VAT from a Porsche main dealer in East London. The new part no. for 2006 Cayman is 99761815907 which replaces old part no. 99761815903. The best tip I can pass on is to use a metal coat hanger straightened out a bit, cable tie it to the new ignition switch so you can keep it located near the ignition hole in the dash. Through this hole you can locate the wiring plug with long nose pliers and a bit of fiddling. Keep it squarely pushed in the ignition hole and do up the threaded ring. Thanks again Budman and I hope this can help someone else in the future.