So the part that the connector actually attaches to is broken? I would think that the spring is just a return spring for the switch inside.

Yeah, on the bottom of the Steering Column bar, near the Key Cylinder.

There is a small rectangular opening with a circular hole. The tan plastic piece is suppose to push up into this, and it activates something, electrically- which I do not know of...

Is not that the switch for the alarm circuit? It prevents the car from running unless the steering lock mechanism is released?

I've looked briefly at a couple of wiring diagrams and could only find a parking light contact that has three wires; but they are not the described colors...I know that when I was in there a while back (IIRC) the little rectangular plug has two circular contacts that would touch the piece which had spring contacts(as it gets plugged in) on the Bar.

This contact or switch should be on a diagram and identifiable???
Jon

the good thing with the wires that come out of connecter is there lengthed so cant get it wrong the bad thing is side to side though. if thats the 14 pin in car footwell at the fuse panel i have pic. this is 82us. this is the connector that oops on me, but had picture to put it back together when they all in deed did jumped out.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1278463463.jpg

I think I found the steering column switch in question in the wiring diagrams for MY 84 (should be same as 82). It is shown to be a part of the "Steering Lock/Ignition Switch" on the passenger compartment and instruments page. The single wire in the switch connector goes to the timing relay, and the double wires go to some bulb in the dash labeled "KVM S A"
and terminal A7 in the CE board. Searching the CE schematic shows that A7 goes to a few other spots including F4, which is connected the Z3 (which is for the alarm module). So it stand to reason that the switch must be anti-theft related, but what is the bulb for??? I see no reason that the connector cannot be jumped temporarily. I bypassed several switches in my car before (which sparked) with no ill effects. However it is up to you if you want to try it yourself.

YouTube - 1982 Porsche 928 S- Ignition Switch problem


Here is a video of my problem...

Did you disable your alarm at the CE panel?

Do you have the wiring diagrams? If not, get them and start figuring them out, else you have no business being that deep into the car electrics.
They overwhelmed me at first, then it started making sense. Keep tracing circuits until you find the issue. Alarm is a bit complicated, so bypass that at the panel and take it out of the equation.

Is there a clutch safety switch on this model?

In the thread on rennlist, WallyP suggested that you perform a starter jump. Did you follow-up on that? If not, ask him what he meant. It will help you, if not, it will help the rest of us trying to help you.

You can surely win but to do so you will need to raise your game and get into the diagrams in my opinion.