ignition switch - expected behavior
 

I had an issue a while back i posted about - https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/992848-ignition-key-issue.html,

and had a new key cut from the code - which seemed to work great. I also bought a used cylinder and had it re-keyed by Sierra Madre. I was nervous to install it though because while it turned, it didn't seem to have a reistance point beyond which the starter motor would kick in.

I now seem to have the same problem in my car with the original - it turns fine to the ignition on position - but there is no way to turn it further to activate the starter. What's killing me is that last night it worked fine.

Am I going crazy, or do they both have the same problem, and is there in fact a 'resistance point'?

Thanks,
Nikos

Others will know FAR more than I about your question. That said, according to my understanding, if a new ignition switch is used and the key fails to turn far enough to engage the starter, then this means your ignition tumblers are worn and need to be replaced.

Take the tumbler out and remove the spring and pin at the bottom. The pin catches on the ramp.

JW's response about the spring & pin is very interesting - and seems almost certain to be your problem/solution; my lock tumbler either never had one, or was long since removed by a PO - it just turns entirely freely once you detach the electrical portion.

The detents - clicks - in the ignition positions, as well as the spring resistance against "Start" - are all in the electrical switch. You could try detaching it and check that it behaves as expected with a screwdriver. I guess it might be possible for that to mess up internally - although it seems to be more usual for the contacts to arc inside.

The late electrical switch - the 964 part, as opposed to the 911 one that used to be double the price before going NLA - has an internal mechanical lockout for "Start" - once you've hit it the first time, you have to turn key back through/back past "On" before you can hit it again.

I hate that... Keep meaning to open one up and see if that's easy to remove...

This is all true - my advice is to pull the barrel out, and turn it while putting pressure. Turn it backwards and forwards and see how the action works. Sometimes it just needs a tweak or a part out of place.