The ignition lock of your Porsche functions as the control hub or primary mechanism for the vehicle’s electrical system. If the ignition lock fails in your Porsche, it means that the key is not able to smoothly turn in the ignition. This is often caused by general wear and tear on the lock cylinder over time. When the lock fails, it will make starting the vehicle hard, requiring you to jiggle the key a lot, or inserting the key might feel stiff. These are all signs that the lock mechanism is having issues and that a Porsche professional needs to inspect and possibly repair the ignition lock.

At Rowlett Autowerks, our skilled experts will diagnose what may be causing your Porsche’s ignition lock to fail. Some of the causes our mechanics see are dirt and debris building up inside the keyhole, a worn-out key, mechanical wear, a faulty ignition switch, steering column problems, and improper key usage. We suggest cleaning the keyhole, regular maintenance, no foreign objects, and a lighter keyring weight as ways to prevent your vehicle’s ignition lock from failing.

The failure of your Porsche’s ignition lock can be dangerous, as it could lead to situations like the vehicle stalling while driving suddenly, the key getting stuck in the ignition, the vehicle not starting, electrical system issues, or steering wheel lock problems. All of these issues can lead you to not being able to control your vehicle in an emergency.

How Your Ignition Lock Works

Want to know how the ignition lock in your Porsche works to help prevent it from failing? Our experts at Rowlett Autowerks are glad to explain. At Rowlett Autowerks, we strive to have our clients trust that they are leaving their Porsche in expert hands.

• Key insertion: The uniquely coded Porsche key is inserted into the ignition lock cylinder by the driver.
• Turning the key: When the driver rotates the key, different positions will activate different electrical circuits. This allows for functions such as starting the engine, accessory power, and turning off the ignition.
• Steering wheel lock: The steering wheel lock is activated when the key is in the lock position. This will lock the steering wheel in place and prevent any kind of unauthorized driving.
• Left-hand placement: A remarkable feature of Porsche vehicles is that the ignition is generally located on the left side of the steering column. It’s believed that this happened because in race cars it provided an advantage.

How To Help Prevent Ignition Lock Failure

At Rowlett Autowerks, we want to provide the best care to you and your vehicle. We suggest that the following tasks will help prevent your Porsche from having ignition lock failure.

• Cleaning the keyhole: Cleaning the key slot regularly with a dry, soft cloth will remove the debris, dirt, and dust from the keyhole. This will allow for the key to turn much smoother with nothing to interfere inside the key slot.
• Regular maintenance: Take your Porsche in for routine maintenance to have the ignition switch inspected during regular servicing to spot any issues early.
• Foreign objects: If small objects are dropped into the ignition key slot, then it can cause issues.
• Keyring weight: If a keyring is too heavy, it will put a lot of stress on the ignition lock mechanism and cause accelerated wear and tear.

The Dangers of Ignition Lock Failure

If the ignition lock is failing in your Porsche, don’t wait — bring it into our shop as soon as possible. It can be dangerous to drive while the lock is failing because it can hinder your control over the vehicle and cause an accident.

• Engine stalling while driving: The engine can unexpectedly stall while driving if the ignition lock fails, and this can lead to the loss of control over your vehicle. The risk of causing an accident increases, especially if you are in heavy traffic or driving on the highway.
• Stuck key in the ignition: The key can get stuck if the ignition lock malfunctions, and you won’t be able to start or turn off the engine in your Porsche.
• Inability to start the car: When the ignition lock fully fails, the driver will not be able to start the vehicle and can leave you stranded.
• Electrical system disruptions: The electrical connection inside the vehicle can be disrupted if the lock fails. This causes other electrical components to malfunction in your Porsche.
• Steering wheel lock issues: Sometimes the steering wheel lock mechanism can be affected by a faulty ignition lock. This will make it very difficult to turn the steering wheel, which can lead to accidents.

At Rowlett Motorwerks, trust our team to take care of your Porsche and preserve the performance you require for day-to-day life. We offer free diagnostics with repairs because we understand Porsche repairs can be costly. Bring your Porsche to have its ignition lock repaired today so it can be done by professionals and be more convenient and easy compared to a dealership. Our location is in Rowlett, and we are also the go-to shop for drivers in:

• Garland. TX
• Rockwall, TX
• Sachse, TX
• Wylie, TX

To schedule an appointment, stop by our shop in Rowlett or call us to book an appointment at 469-910-8087.