996 ignition

[Nick Whittle]

Help! I have a 1998 996 C4. The ignition barrel seems to have just gone "stiff" and sometimes does not return from position 2 after starting the car.
Coincidentally the remote locking from the key packed up at the same time although the doors still lock using the button on the dash?!?
Can anyone help? Are these 2 things related and whats the best way to sort out - OPC or specialist? Any advice would be welcomed.

[BliarOut]

Doubt they are related... Have you replaced the remote fob battery?

The stiff barrel sounds mechanical, Indie should be fine for a strip down and grease/replace as necessary.

[996 Nick]

Thanks BliarOut
I have tried the second key fob as well, and the same happens (or doesn't!).
I appreciate the advice

[nel]

My 1998 993 had a sticky ignition barrel when I bought it. It was damned annoying, and sometime the steering lock didn't want to disengage, so I couldn't turn the key. An indie garage told me to have the barrel changed, but I tried a more rustic solution first.

Spent 1/2 an hour putting 3in1 oil into the key hole, plunging the key in, turning it then removing it and wiping it clean. Got loads of metallic grey gunk out in this manner - years of micro swarf I guess. It's been fine ever since.

As for the key fob - as already suggested, first port of call change the batteries.

Best of luck.

[996 Nick]

Thanks Nel, I may just give that a go. An auto electrician friend had a look today, he thinks the barrel is way passed its best and also the none operation of the cenral locking is a connected problem - he thinks the ignition barrel still thinks the key is in place (as you almost have to force the key out) and therefore will not allow the doors to lock using the fob. New barrel is £160 + VAT at OPC and will take a week to arrive!!! It will of course need fitting on top of that. Welcome to the world of Porsche!
Thanks again