I need your help NOW!

[Mike1]

Sorry...the title should read " Ineed your help NOW!!!", and I do.

Here's one you probably haven't heard yet...

About an hour ago a went to start my 87 944 in the parking lot of the grocery store. I insert the key, begin to turn it and the lock cylinder popped out with the key still in it. The part that came out is a small black cyclinder with the "tumblers" (I guess you would call them)protruding from both sides. I can still remove & re-insert the key into the detached cylinder. For a visual reference, the cylinder is on the key which is on my key chain.

Here's the rub, before the cylinder popped out of the larger ignition body (don't know what you would call it) it turned it just enough to turn the radio on. So, the ignition is partially on and I can't properly reinsert the ejected cylinder with the tumblers back into the larger ignition cylinder. I had to disconnect the battery & had the wife come and get me.

I can't imagine this has happened to too many other people, but any advice is more than welcomed. I'd rather not tow it home yet - it seems like there must be some way to start the car.

I should also note that the ejected cyclinder goes back in most of the way, but the "male" end of the ignition body which fits into the ejected cyclinder is slightly rotated which is why the "female" end of the ejected cylinder does not fit back onto it. I don't know how else to explain it.

Please tell me it's not fatal! How else can I get the car started to drive it back home. I eagerly await your reply.

[Mike1]

Here's a picture of the ejected barrel on my key.

How do I get this thing back in where it belongs!

Sorry about the quality of the pic. The silver protrusion at the end of the barrel fits over a matching piece connected to the bottom of the ignition cylinder. Unfortunately, the two pieces don't line up properly...therein lies the problem. Any suggestions?

[jmd_forest]

Try pulling the key out and removing the tumblers. That should allow you to reinsert the cylinder and rotate it so the male and female pieces line up. Alternately, you might be able to insert a large screwdriver into the cylinder cavity female connection and use it like a universal key.

jmd_forest

[Mike1]

Thanks for the reply.

The screwdriver won't work because the male end is at the bottom of cylinder - not the female. It's too deep & narrow to get a pair of needle nose pliers down there as well.

Removing the tumblers won't have any effect either. With the key inserted in the barrel all of the tumblers are already retracted and don't get in the way of anything. You had my hopes up until I looked closely at the barrel!

The barrel actually seems to operate the outer edge of the ignition cylinder, that is to say, the barrel fits into the ignition cylinder via 2 "channels" cut into it. Once the barrel is aligned it should theoretically rotate the cylinder and re-align itself with the male end on the bottom of it. Sadly, the barrel fits in nicely but it won't rotate the cylinder.

Anyone know how to hotwire a 944!

[jmd_forest]

If the steering wheel is not locked in place you shoudl be able to remove the ignition switch electrical component from the back of the column and use a screwdriver to turn the electrical switch to start the car. If the wheel is locked in place, getting ythe car started won't jelp.

Mayne you could try using a tiny rachet socket on an extension handle over the male end inside the cylinder and use the socket as a "key".

jmd_forest

[2Tight]

If the ignition tumblers are anything like the door cylinders do not remove the key when the cylinder is removed...you will have springs and pins all over the place. I can't help you with the reinstallation. It sounds like the plastic internal section of the ignition switch is broken.

[zedsn]

I believe that you will have to have the car towed home and you will have to install a good used igniton switch. I have one if you are interested.

[Mike1]

Thanks so much for your help.

Thankfully I got the started & even got the barrel back into the cylinder. Everything works fine now. Should anyone else have this problem here's how I got it started:

The male piece on the bottom of the ignition cylinder is obviously what starts the car. I used a multi-bit screwdriver (without a bit) to fit over the piece in the cylinder. The screwdriver is a bit big so I just put a few small pieces of duct tape on the inside to make a tight fit. If you can turn that piece in the cylinder the car will start.

Once the car is running and the piece at the bottom of the cylinder is turned to the "start" position, the barrel slots neatly back into place. After many attempts (and bouts of swearing) to try to align the cylinder with the barrel, I found that it is impossible to do. The only way all of the bits & pieces fit together is if the car is running. I still don't know why the barrel came out of the cylinder but I'm going to have to fashion some of type of ring to keep it in its place.

Now if I could only track down why the windows on my Boxster drop down a couple of inches at random times (roof switch maybe?) and why my 993 C4S's steering has recently loosened up.

Thanks again for your help.

[JonA]

Keep the screwdriver"key" in the glove box......

Jon

[944 Ecology]

Don't drive with it in this condition. It's going to be a bad day when your steering locks at 60 mph.