Ignition Switch OR Assembly issue? 1971 911T
 

Question. The ignition switch had a spring like feedback motion when cranking the starter. Now the car won't crank at all and the spring back action is gone. I can turn the key from off to crank position without any hesitation or push back. And of course there is no crank, so I can't really tell what is bad. So is the problem the assembly or the ignition switch?
1971 911T

Hi..most likely your ignition shaft is broken.Here is the pick...
Ivan
http://img.pccreation.net/photos/201707312145357077.JPG

It's the electrical part of the ignition switch--the part that plugs into the back side of the mechanical switch. Good news, it's a much cheaper part to replace than the mechanical portion. The bad news, it's a PITA to remove without removing the entire mechanical assembly, but it can be done. It's held in place by two small screws that are accessed from behind, and there is very little room to use a tool for the top screw. Add to that the contortions needed to get under there, and you have a job in front of you.

Remove the driver's seat, get on your back and slide under the dash with a flash light to look at the job ahead. Then decide if you want to try it without removing the entire assembly or just remove the whole switch and simply replace the electrical part. You may be in luck and a PO has removed the switch before and it is no longer held in with rivets.

Edit: Proporsche posted while I was typing. His photo shows the electrical part in the foreground--that's the cheap part. His picture and post also shows the metal tab inside the mechanical portion that can break, but if it does, you will get no electrical function at all. Your description indicates the spring inside the electrical part only is broken.

let`s hope ossiblue is right...

Ivan

Lol, me too.

Actually, I assumed he had electrical functions other than START, but after a reread he didn't say that. Also, a partial breakage of the tab--so that it is a bit twisted and has lost its strength, could result in the electrical working but not the START, so you could be correct after all. Bottom line, he's going to have to disassemble the electrical part from the mechanical to repair. It's going to be a matter of how much money he's going to have to put out for parts.

Hi Yup...let`s see... like you said remove it and then inspect it..
Ivan