ignition switch issue : mechanical or electrical?

[simsalabim]

After a surprise no start (dash lights and fuel pump on, but no cranking or solenoid click), I finally jump started it and when I switched on the headlights, nothing but the running lights came on. Once home, I cleaned all of my ground connections (strap as well) and checked/cleaned all of my fuses and relays. Also, the battery was fine and fully charged.

Car starts fine now (knock on wood?) but it seems that once running, I have to turn the key ever so slightly counter clockwise (from the start to run position direction) in order for the headlights to turn on (once they are switched on). I sprayed a bit of brake cleaner in the switch, and then followed with a bit of silicon dry lube to try to free it up a bit, but although the switch moves more freely now, I still have to turn the key slightly to get the headlights to come on. Everything else works fine ...

I am wondering if a new switch (electrical portion) will do the trick. While I suspect that the two issues were NOT coincidental, this was the first no start incident while the headlight issue has been intermittent for a while now. Is there a spring mechanism in the switch that is failing ?

Any thoughts ?

Thanks,
Bill

[Porsche 2]

I just had similar experience. Removed the entire ignition unit including steering lock portion. Then Ioiled every moving part of the key and lock unit, not the electrical unit. Works like new.

[simsalabim]

Thanks P-2,

Sure seems mechanical to me ... What kind of oil did you use ? any "moving parts" in particular that you can highlight ?