Ignition/Steering Wheel Lock Sticks???

[WVSC]

I am having problems with my steering wheel lock not releasing. I sometimes have to giggle the key for fifteen mintues before it will turn. My wife recently broke off the spare the key trying to turn it. Is there a fix?

[Walt Fricke]

Yes, though perhaps not quick. I am assuming your car is a '89 or earlier?

I also assume you and your wife have learned to wiggle the steering wheel when this is baulky and you are wiggling the key?

A housing connects the lock assembly to the steering column. A rod slides in this housing. When it moves into the steering column it locks the system because there are some steel pieces welded on the central steering piece in the middle of the column, set up so they create a notch (or notches). With the key out of the car (and thus some mild spring pressure on the locking rod), rotating the steering wheel will cause the rod to slip into the notch and lock the wheel.

Turning the wheel can put sideways pressure on the end of the rod, holding it in place. Sometimes the way you park makes the front wheels want to turn the steering wheel just a little, putting presssure on things, hence the wiggling trick.

But your issues may be deeper. At some point the ignition lock mechanism shows the effects of wear. Assuming that liberal applications of lock graphite into the key slot don't help:

Possible quickest fix #1: With the key in the on position and the wheel free to turn (i.e., the locking mechanism is in the retracted position), drill a hole through the middle of the connecting housing, the rod inside it, and out the other side. Stick a nail (or cotter pin or something similar) in the hole. I suppose you could just drill a hole, tap it, and insert a bolt which would apply enough friction to the rod. In any case, the rod will now no longer lock the steering wheel. Problem solved. Some race organizations (like SCCA) require disabling steering locks. But you are now more susceptible to thieves.

And you will have to do this in the worst pretzel position with debris raining down into your eyes, and trying to find a position to do this from that will not endanger the many wires in the vicinity. Much easier to do this with the assembly on a workbench, which is how I did mine.

More workmanlike fix: remove the whole key lock and the wheel lock which is part of it. See about replacing the key set so things work again. I never got to that part because I pinned my wheel lock. This, too, is not the easiest thing to do: Porsche went to some lengths to make it hard to remove the two bolts that hold the lock to the dash. A setscrew attaches the housing to the steering column. The electrical switch part of the lock is held on by two small screws which you get to by removing the big wiring plug from the back of the assembly. The plug's pins can grip the switch's counterparts so tightly that the switch may pull apart in the process, as its plastic housing is a bit delicate. And again you are working upside down in miserable conditions unless you take the extra time to remove the seat.

Walt Fricke

[WVSC]

Thanks Walt. Somehow I knew the answer would go something like that... It's an 83SC and because it is my daily driver, I suspect I will be cramming myself under the dash during the next warm spell. The other piece of the problem is that it seems to jam whenever I am late or sitting in a dark parking lot. Thank you again for your help.

[Walt Fricke]

I had a related problem - the key didn't want to turn to the starter position reliably. I sort of got used to trying it several times. I don't stall the car in traffic much, so it wasn't that big a problem, though occasionally it caused mild anxiety.

Then I spun out in Gotcha at Miller in the middle of a pack of crazed enduro racers, did a 360 and stayed on the track - in the middle of it, no less. Everybody and his brother behind me missed hitting me and got by while I was trying to engage the starter. I didn't want to lose places, but I wanted to get out of the way even more. So enough of this.

I now have a push button which will engage the starter any time the ignition is in the run position. Crude, but it works. With a black rubber cap it sits disguised up on the dash.

Good luck.

Walt