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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Ignition key just stopped working!

Posted by: Chris H. Aug 24 2019, 03:28 PM

Had the weirdest thing happen today...hoping someone knows a lot more than I do about the ignition tumbler/switch/etc.

Ran a bunch of errands in the 914, stopped at several places. At the last stop I came out to the car, inserted the key in the ignition switch, and it was like it was the wrong key. The mechanism did not push inward as usual, and the key would not turn at all no matter how much I messed with it. I've had the thing 17 years and never had an issue with the mechanism before, and it's the same key as always. I had to pull the switch out entirely (steering wheel off, etc) and pop out the lock to start it. Luckily I was only a few blocks from home. Anyone ever have this happen?

Here are some pics of the whole mechanism. Anything missing or look weird?

Anyone know what that little pin is for? It was in the bottom of the cylinder

Hope someone knows how to fix this...is it possible the wafers got bent inside the key lock and it needs to be re-keyed? I'm at a loss...

Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: SirAndy Aug 24 2019, 03:30 PM

Did you get into the wrong car?

Posted by: Chris H. Aug 24 2019, 03:32 PM

Unlikely Andy, but good thinking

Posted by: 76-914 Aug 24 2019, 04:37 PM

Sounds like a wafer(s) went south. Good place to start. IIRC, that little pin has something to do with the steering lock. 75/76?

Posted by: Chris H. Aug 24 2019, 04:47 PM

Yeah that's what I'm thinking Kent. I have a full set of wafers so I'll pull the thing apart. Even though I have a '75. this switch looks like an earlier one, which is actually a good thing. If it really was a '75 switch I could never take it out without taking the whole column off.

BTW I was getting some pretty funny looks as I disassembled the ignition switch and started it with a screwdriver at a busy strip mall . Once I got her going I drove off real quick just for fun....No Man's Land style . Pretty much everyone knows the car so I probably didn't fool anyone.

Posted by: bbrock Aug 24 2019, 05:19 PM

I think that pin is the suspect. I can't remember how it goes, but I believe it rides in that groove on the disc at the bottom of the cylinder. At any rate, it shouldn't be loose in there, and if it was, it could have easily jammed the cylinder from turning.

Posted by: Chris H. Aug 24 2019, 05:32 PM

Interesting...I'll check that out Brent.

Posted by: Chris H. Aug 24 2019, 06:37 PM

So I cleaned it all up...there was some gunk in the cylinder...and now it seems to be working fine. Weird.