Ignition Key Tumbler Trouble
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Dallas, Texas
Ignition Key Tumbler Trouble
My 81 SC is giving me key ignition key trouble. Several months back, I had the assembly on my workbench because the trouble was it wouldn't always allow the key to the "Start" position. After examination, I realized the little pin which keeps the user from "starting a running engine, " thus the assembly has to go back to "off" before trying "start" position again, was gummed up. Thorough cleaning solved that problem.
Now my assembly won't always allow me to turn the key out of the "off" position. I have three keys and they all seem to have the same trouble. One of the keys was cut recently by a guy in Australia from the original key card code so I have a very fresh key. The situation seems to be getting worse, meaning almost every time I go to start the car, I have to try to turn the key six, seven, or more times before it will finally allow the key to turn. Once it turns, it moves very normally and freely.
I applied a little key graphite recently and have no noticeable difference.
Thoughts?
Charles in Dallas
Now my assembly won't always allow me to turn the key out of the "off" position. I have three keys and they all seem to have the same trouble. One of the keys was cut recently by a guy in Australia from the original key card code so I have a very fresh key. The situation seems to be getting worse, meaning almost every time I go to start the car, I have to try to turn the key six, seven, or more times before it will finally allow the key to turn. Once it turns, it moves very normally and freely.
I applied a little key graphite recently and have no noticeable difference.
Thoughts?
Charles in Dallas
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 165
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From: Dallas, Texas
I spoke to my locksmith brother-in-law and he said the lock is acting like a lock with worn out tumblers or pins, depending how the lock works.
Good grief, Pelican wants $1,000 for a new assembly.
Has anyone had any luck rebuilding these? Anyone know of a specialist who can restore it to the same key code?
Good grief, Pelican wants $1,000 for a new assembly.
Has anyone had any luck rebuilding these? Anyone know of a specialist who can restore it to the same key code?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 165
Likes: 15
From: Dallas, Texas
I had used a lubricant with PFTE in it and figured it was enough. This morning, I sprayed just a small 2 seconds of penetrating oil in the lock prior to inserting my key. The key felt much better going in and out and the tumblers turned. I'll give it a few days of use to see if this actually made an improvement.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Denver
I spoke to my locksmith brother-in-law and he said the lock is acting like a lock with worn out tumblers or pins, depending how the lock works.
Good grief, Pelican wants $1,000 for a new assembly.
Has anyone had any luck rebuilding these? Anyone know of a specialist who can restore it to the same key code?
Good grief, Pelican wants $1,000 for a new assembly.
Has anyone had any luck rebuilding these? Anyone know of a specialist who can restore it to the same key code?
Any locksmith can change the tumblers on any of your locks (ignition, doors, glovebox). It is easiest to have them all keyed to match the ignition. However, in the early cars Porsche used pot metal for stress-bearing parts in these locks, which over 50 years deteriorates and eventually breaks (typically the spring-return tab). That is not fixable. I don't know about a 1981; maybe they'd figured it out by then. The ignition switch is especially complicated, and while $1000 is expensive, and you can find much cheaper used ones on TheSamba, they will be a risk.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 165
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From: Dallas, Texas
[QUOTE=raspritz;16253822]You have a locksmith brother-in-law and you're asking us?
Ha ha! Can't be in debt to a brother-in-law! Funny: Years ago when I was purchasing my wire welder, you could choose whether to buy one on 120v or 240v. I asked the guy why someone would by a 240v unit and his reply was, "So your as&*^hole brother-in-law couldn't borrow it."
Truth is my brother-in-law works full time for a hospital and has almost zero outside free time. I asked him about re-keying the doors to match a new ignition switch and his reply was that it depends on the type of lock tumbler used. He threw out several style names and I can't recall what they were.....pins was one, disc type another? Do we know what kind of lock the Porsche uses?
After spraying the small amount of penetrating oil in the lock, it is working much better, but it may be buying time.
Update Edit: I found this article on Pelican and describes the locks as pin type, and article describes how to rekey your lock. Easy if one can get more pins.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...lock_rekey.htm
Ha ha! Can't be in debt to a brother-in-law! Funny: Years ago when I was purchasing my wire welder, you could choose whether to buy one on 120v or 240v. I asked the guy why someone would by a 240v unit and his reply was, "So your as&*^hole brother-in-law couldn't borrow it."
Truth is my brother-in-law works full time for a hospital and has almost zero outside free time. I asked him about re-keying the doors to match a new ignition switch and his reply was that it depends on the type of lock tumbler used. He threw out several style names and I can't recall what they were.....pins was one, disc type another? Do we know what kind of lock the Porsche uses?
After spraying the small amount of penetrating oil in the lock, it is working much better, but it may be buying time.
Update Edit: I found this article on Pelican and describes the locks as pin type, and article describes how to rekey your lock. Easy if one can get more pins.
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...lock_rekey.htm
Last edited by thinkiwanta928; Nov 27, 2019 at 01:38 PM.
