Ignition key won't turn in the ignition switch

[Graydon Thorne]

Just got my '67S and am starting to learn about it. Currently I am not much of a mechanic but intending to learn.

My first problem is that it takes 3-4 attempts to get the ignition key to turn in the ignition switch. It seems to get hung up and I have to jiggle it to get it to work. I imagine 50 years of ignition key filings are plugging it up.

Can I just squirt some tri-flow lubricant in there without disconnecting anything? Or will something short? Should I disconnect the battery first or no big deal? I would rather not remove the ignition switch from the dash and disassemble if it is not required and there is a simpler way. It does not sound like too much fun to remove.

Thanks.

Graydon

[typ901]

Graydon;
welcome to Early911SRegistry.
dry graphite may be the best lubricant for a lock cylinder, but your issue is likely not lube related. if you have an original PORSCHE key this will be stamped with the key code. (typically somewhere between K300 and K399) a new key can be cut from this code.
if you do not have a key as described there are specialist locksmiths who can "read" your existing key and cut a fresh one. in either event I would suggest that the new key be made of brass vs. steel
HTH

[Graydon Thorne]

Great, thanks. I will check the key and get a new one.

[RSTarga]

The graphite is worse than TriFlow for a lock. It tends to gum up. I use a dry lock lubricant in a spray can, can't remember the name, available from most locksmiths.
Do you take pressure off the lock by holding the steering wheel of the lock?
The lock might just be worn out.

[NeunElf]

First, does your car have a locking steering column? I'm not that sharp on '67s--some '65s do, some don't.

Is this the original steel key?

The original steel key for my car can act like that--it's pretty well worn. I have a brass key that's not so worn and it works very reliably. If your key's worn you might want to try a new key.

You could try TWEETS Restorations (tweet is on this forum) or Sierra Madre Collection.

[Graydon Thorne]

Thanks guys. The key I was given with the car looked somewhat worn and was brass (I think) and fairly malleable so when I put that key in the ignition or door lock, I had to be careful not to bend the key. I don't recall any number being on the key but I will check when I get back from work.

I did have a new key made the other day and it still created the same problem of needing to be jiggled to get the ignition switch to work. I do not recall that there was a locking steering column (will check that also when I get to the car) and I had just assumed the key was a little worn and the tumbler was filled with filings so that is why I tried a new stiffer key but did not specify the material with the locksmith and do not know what the new key is made of.

I did try to research the lubricant to use in the ignition switch and the web is all over the place with recommendations. Some recommended dry graphite but cautioned that if the graphite got wet, it would cake up and cause further problems so I suppose I should not use that lubricant on the outside door lock which has its own problem also of the key getting stuck.

The locksmith I talked with the other day told me to disassemble the passenger door lock and the secret code for the Porsche key number will be on that tumbler.

I was really just hoping for a lubricant to solve all my problems.... but didn't want to fry any electrical attached to the ignition lock and wasn't sure if that would be a problem.

I did find also a recommendation for a dry lubricant with Teflon, but like I said, recommendations were all over the place and contradicted each other.

[NeunElf]

The locksmith I talked with the other day told me to disassemble the passenger door lock and the secret code for the Porsche key number will be on that tumbler.

If you're thinking of getting a Kardex, that should have your key code (plus a glovebox key code and maybe a Targa deck lid release key code). I did some [limited] research and it looks like locking steering column key codes began with FL up to 1969. Non-locking steering columns should begin with K if they were still used through 1967.

With luck, tweet (who should actually know Porsche locks) will chime in.

[Graydon Thorne]

Thank you very much. I do have the Kardex and while I cannot make out the German, the 4th box from the left at the top of the Kardex titled something like "Zendschlob-Nr" is a "K" followed by a 3 digit number starting with 3 so I assume that must be the Key code. Is that the key code? If so, I just take it to a locksmith and give them this 3 digit key code to make me a new key?

I'm still probably needing to clean the lock somehow if that doesn't work.

[NeunElf]

Thank you very much. I do have the Kardex and while I cannot make out the German, the 4th box from the left at the top of the Kardex titled something like "Zendschlob-Nr" is a "K" followed by a 3 digit number starting with 3 so I assume that must be the Key code. Is that the key code? If so, I just take it to a locksmith and give them this 3 digit key code to make me a new key?

I'm still probably needing to clean the lock somehow if that doesn't work.

Yep. Zündschloß means "ignition lock." K3xx would be the key code for a car with a non-locking steering column.

[Graydon Thorne]

Thanks...one problem solved and a place to start.