Ignition Problems -Cars shuts completly off running random

[scherb]

Last few days I have been experiencing the following: I turn the car on and the ignition switch will open (I can see my airbag light warning, and my stereo works) but the car wont start.. If I jiggle the key a bit,and try to start it again it lights up all the possible lights on the dash and the car starts normally... This happens almost everytime I start the car now...it was seldom and now is 90% chance of happening.

When driving (last time 90 mph) the car shut down the motor. My steering does not get locked so I think it is not the switch but something else... Any ideas? I am relating this to the "elephant" noise I hear when I start my car (starter motor seems to be going bad...).

Hope you can help.

For those who are doubting how far your car will go...

Do note my baby has 100k miles, it is a 1997 986 2.5L and motor runs perfectly!

[Loren]

Time for a new ignition switch.

[scherb]

Time for a new ignition switch.

Thanks Loren!

I guess I will have to go for the whole thing($150+?) not the $30 dollar one... do you have a DIY on that?

[0586slb]

The mechanical part of the ignition lock is usually OK, therefore the steering does not lock (thankfully). The ignition switch has a plastic component (turned by the lock barrel) that breaks, this does not get turned properly so sometimes the engine stays on when you switch off or vice versa.

[Loren]

Read the whole thread here for some tips and where to buy just the switch. The actual instructions are here.