Ignition Key problems

HI Guys, Having just returned from an extended stint abroad I'm back to trying to get my play toy back on the road again. My wife managed to get the key stuck in the ignition, but a friend managed to pry it out. I got a replacement switch as per the following - http://www.renntech.org/forums/tutorials/article/24-996-ignition-switch-replace-just-the-switch-with-pictures/ & https://www.porscheclubgb.com/legacy/clientftp/Register/996/tec_ignition_switch.pdf and installed it according to the article(s). Its still not working? Here are the things i have found- As soon as I have connected the new switch (if the battery is connected) the car comes to life - even if the key is in the off position or isnt connected to the key barrel. When connected to the key and tried to start the car nothing happened? the key would turn but not fire the engine. I played around several times and managed to get the key to work, partially, it manage to start the car but when it returned to the off position the key could be removed but the car remained on!!! The only way I could get the car to stop was to remove the new switch, disconnecting the battery had no affect. I'm now at a loss as to what to do next? I sincerely hope some of the good folk could here can help me. I dont claim to be a car expert but I can follow instructions! Please can someone help a fellow owner get back on the road? Many many thanks in advance! Dre

There was a chap on Boxa.net with a very similar problem last week. I think it turned out the problem was with the lock barrel rather than the switch. In his case, the small metal flap which covers the key slot wasn't. It was stuck open. Is yours like that?

I know differant cars but i have just replaced the ignition switch on the golf it is a very common problem also happened to the 996 now I think back I remember asking Tony Wright to do it in the end as although Richard describes it it looks easy I remember it being a right pain in the behind to get right looks just the same as the porsche given porsche's legendary reliability it does sound like the switch rather than the barrel the only thing I would say is if it isnt a vw or porsche switch you could easily have problems i initallly used a patent part suppsoedly german switch from GSF the switch worked for 2 days! I really couldnt believe it

Thanks Guys, Richard, yes you are correct the small metal flap is not showing, presumably stuck open. Do you know the resolution? Although I'm a little bewildered that this would be the issue as I assume you can turn the engine off without taking the key out and hence the small metal flap would not be down? Regards, Dre

I think that in his case the metal flap not closing was a symptom of the barrel not turning back to the key release position properly. I'm not sure how the barrel functions internally, but you normally get a 'clonk' when you remove the key, and at that point it disconnects the switched ignition feed.

Ahh yes...that's right I don't get the "clonk" so it sounds like a similar problem. Was the resolution to get the barrel replaced? I've seen this is not an easy DIY job, but I'm not sure I have a choice unless I get my car towed to a local indy.

Last I heard, he had it booked it to a local indy. It is a bit of a challenge to change the barrel, and it might be worth getting an indy to do it. By the way, does the steering lock work, and can you lock the car? That would be another indication if something in the barrel is sticking.

Yes the steering lock works and the car locks, so maybe a different problem?

Difficult to say. I think you need to get an experienced eye to do some hands-on diagnosis. My gut feeling is that it is the barrel, but it would be an expensive exercise to change it on the strength of my remote diagnosis, and then find it wasn't the cause. I'm asuming you changed the switch using a good quality replacement. Some of the imitation ones are useless, as Richard found out.

I got it off ebay [&:] So probably not the best place...will check others I think Euro Car parts was recommended. Will try the new switch and take it from there. Thanks for all your help so far

Please do yourself a favour replacing these switches is a pain buy a genuine porsche or vw switch (i say vw if that is the one porsche use i would never purposely spend money just to get porsche fairy dust sprinkled on my replacement parts) the patent ones just arent up to the job and you will be upset with the results when i went to my trusty vw dealer about said vw switch i spoke to one of the parts dept guys who used to work for GSF and he essentially told me there were certain parts they knew when they were selling them that they would be coming back in the next few days the point being they knew which parts you should always buy genuine this is one of those parts unless you enjoy breaking down somewhere remote and having to wait to be towed home I now remember why i found the switch replacement difficult myself my hand were to big to loosen and tighten the screw behind the dash Tony's mechanic Joe has just the rigth sized hands!

Update from the guy on boxa.net "Just back from HP Motorsports (higly recommended) Problem was barrel wasn't popping out when key was removed, thus steering lock and central locking couldn't be used. Thankfully a little lubrication sorted the barrel and it works okay now, as does the steering lock and central locking. However it does seem like I need a new ignition barrel sooner rather than later, which is a OPC part/only job."

And the dodgy fleabay part was the issue, replaced with genuine Audi part and all working. Lesson learnt! Many thanks for all you help. Happy motoring.