Steering lock/ignition switch problem.

Talk and Tech about turbocharged 924/944/968 cars
Post Reply
User avatar
blade7
Posts: 232
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 4:17 pm
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 22 times
st lock.jpg
st lock.jpg (2.39 MiB) Viewed 606 times
I'm having an issue with the steering lock/ignition switch. When the key is turned past the accessory position to activate the starter motor, and then released, it doesn't return to the accessory position. So is the return spring located in the steering lock assembly, or in the multi pin plug that fits onto the back of the steering lock/ignition barrel assembly?

#1

Top
User avatar
RennDriver
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2026 4:48 am
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 4 times
Try looking at the electrical switch on the back of the lock first. I’ve seen them get sticky/worn and not spring back properly after the start position. Much easier to try that before digging into the whole steering lock/barrel assembly.

#2

Top
User avatar
blade7
Posts: 232
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 4:17 pm
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 22 times
Thanks for the reply, too late now though. Did all the digging, and I've just bought a new switch from Porsche.

#3

Top
User avatar
jeyjey
Posts: 78
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2026 7:28 pm
Has thanked: 29 times
Been thanked: 31 times
So the spring is in the electrical switch piece?
'87 944 NA
'68 Series 2A, '96 E36 M3, '02 Vanquish, '15 Flying Spur

#4

Top
User avatar
blade7
Posts: 232
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 4:17 pm
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 22 times
jeyjey wrote: Tue May 12, 2026 3:48 am So the spring is in the electrical switch piece?
It is.

#5

Top
User avatar
Latitude48
Posts: 365
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2021 7:08 pm
Location: Seattle Area
Has thanked: 105 times
Been thanked: 114 times
Contact:
Contact Latitude48
blade7 wrote: Wed May 13, 2026 1:36 pm
jeyjey wrote: Tue May 12, 2026 3:48 am So the spring is in the electrical switch piece?
It is.
Glad I searched and found this thread. Lately, my S2 doesn't want to turn the starter motor on the first try. It might take 2-3 turns of the key before it cranks. The battery is good and the starter is nearly new.

I have a new electrical switch as shown above that I purchased a few years ago as a spare, but I could use some guidance on getting it changed. My cluster is out to fix the odometer, and Pelican says you can remove the two screws and change the switch, but there isn't much room to get my hand in there, so does a short stubby Philips screw driver work?

Thanks for any hints.
Tom Pultz
- 1989 944 Turbo - Guards Red/Linen
- 1990 944 S2 - Guards Red/Black
- 2003 Audi 1.8TQ - Denim Blue/Black
- 2003 Honda Civic Si - Vivid Blue/Black
- 2023 VW Golf R Base - Lapiz Blue/Titan Black

#6

Top
User avatar
blade7
Posts: 232
Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 4:17 pm
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 22 times
Latitude48 wrote: Tue Jun 30, 2026 3:08 pm

I have a new electrical switch as shown above that I purchased a few years ago as a spare, but I could use some guidance on getting it changed. My cluster is out to fix the odometer, and Pelican says you can remove the two screws and change the switch, but there isn't much room to get my hand in there, so does a short stubby Philips screw driver work?

Thanks for any hints.
Worth a try I suppose, but I couldn't get it out that way. Someone posted that laying on their back looking up under the dash worked, but I'm too old and stiff to do that to my back now.

#7

Top
Post Reply