Ignition faulty?

Sounds like you need a new cylinder or key, see these threads for ideas:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/365-gt4-2-2-400-412/451446-lock-replacement.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/206-246/449843-help-please-lost-keys.html

Best

 

I agree with Sourcoup.
First of all you'll have to replace the cylinder and the key and then you can see if this solves any problem (for sure the locking of the steering ).

After that you'll have to consider to replace the module that is "behind" the key (I'm sorry, I don't know the technical english term, in Italian it's "blocchetto d'accensione").
When you turn the key, behind the scenes the are contacts that are made. If the module is worn, every type of electrical gremlins come out.

Many years ago I had an old Fiat (same period of the x08 and Mondial 8/QV/3.2) and it started to give me a lot of electrical iussues: I brought her to the shop and they replaced the whole unit (key and what it's behind, not just the cylinder) and everything was solved.

I heard that the key block for the x08/Mondials was the same of many Fiat of the same period. Maybe you are having the same problem that I had too many years ago on my already old Fiat.

Regards.
Alessandro

 

You have several issues here and fairly simple, besides the hot starting problem..

Hot starting problem
Your hot starting problem is not a wire problem, go down the list of options and you will mostlikely find it:
K-Jetronic: Troubleshooting Symptoms
(I had a faulty WUR Warm Up Regulater and fuel regulator)

1. Right now I can inset the key but it will not turn (most of the time) and especially the last several tries.
I actually never make copied from the key especially if it is already a copy. When the last I take out the cylinder and go to a lock company to prevent key wear. They will make a new key based on the cylinder. Perhaps this is still an option and even could repair the inside if needed. It's always more cheap then a new ignition set.

2. When it did (last night) turn, the key didn't start the car. Totally dead. Power seems fine though in lights, horn, etc.
Since your battery seems fine it's probably the starter's solenoid. Take out the started motor and put it on a test bench. I actually would let it rebuild.. should not be more then 50 USD. My guess this issue vanishes like snow in the sun once done.

No offence on the Porsche, but it can have the same issues since most old models have a Jetronic system as well.. and a starter motor Old stuff just needs TLC. When I bought my Mondi one would get crazy of all the issue it had. Look at her now. She is whinnying from all the TLC.

HTH
Tijn

 

If I had a nickel for every time I've thought this very same thing...! I have an intermittent no-start issue that I've been dealing with for TWO YEARS. I've tried everything I can think of, starter, wiring, ground cable...nothing solves it except cold weather. In the cold it starts every single time. As soon as temps get above 65 it won't start. I've pretty much given up on the car at this point.

 

'Regarding Porsche vs Ferrari'
Having had a 996, 997, and a 986 Boxster, I can honestly say that these cars are very different from a Ferrari. Like they say, if you want a well built premium sports car that's reliable and won't break the bank, get a Porsche. Civil and feeling a bit sterile, German engineering lacks the hot passion you get from the Italian cars.

I have to give it to Ferrari for being a genius in convincing the world that his car is the best sports car in the world. The sexy & passion exudes from every angle and with that awesome V8/V12 note, the feeling when you are driving a Ferrari is worth all of the aggravation of ownership.

Its kinda like how Steve Jobs have convinced the world that everyone needs to have an IPHONE which can't even hold 2 hours of charge if I surf the web or watch some videos

I say O' bloody hell, why not have both cars!

Cheers
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This thread shows how to remove the ignition switch and a parts breakdown as well.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/mondial/257129-how-do-i-remove-mondial-ignition-switch.html

I bought a new replacement switch but the problem was elsewhere... turned out to be a bad fuse box so I replaced it with the upgrade from Dave Helms - Home - Scuderia Rampante

Here's my switch, turns out that the wiring is a little different but is easily adapted if I ever need it.
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I went through everything as well including a replacement of the starter (upgraded hi-torq), replacing the fuse box fixed everything.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/mondial/284369-another-intermittent-no-start-thread.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/142254393-post1.html

 

I have a new fuse box, new electrical, new hi torq starter. I have new everything. The entire car was rebuilt about 4 years ago. I spent almost a year working and diagnosing, but I have too many other things to do to keep working on it. I drove the car a lot in late winter into late spring this year. The first day above 60 it quit starting and it hasn't run since. Alas, in 30 years it'll be a 'barn find' and someone else can deal with it. I'm done.

 

That sounds like a challenge to me, too bad your car is so far away. But then, your system isn't completely stock, so that's something else to consider.

 

The system's not stock, but it's extremely simple--like a 246 basically. Battery, switch, starter. That's really all there is to it. It's gotta be something temp sensitive. I figured starter solenoid but pulling the starter out and bench testing showed it was good. Same with the battery. I suppose it could be the switch but jeez it's such a PITA to remove.

It's really a shame, but I'm so beyond sick of it that I just quit bothering with it.

 

The electrical contacts part of the Mondial ignition switch comes directly from a 68-74 BMW 1600 or 2002; BMW part number 61312682120. I have no indication that they were changed during the entire Mondial production run. They are available from BMW parts houses for $100 plus or minus 10%.

 

On a whim I attempted to pull the ignition switch this afternoon. I'm afraid I've made a mess of things. I am under the impression that the switch itself disconnects from the blue sheathed harness housed inside the column. But how? There's no connector on the back, the wires appear to be molded inside the body.

Second, in the process of trying to pull the switch out of the column I managed to mangle the key tumbler pretty badly and snap off the two black wires.
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Here's the tumbler.

Pelican Parts has the switch but it looks a lot different than mine. http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=61-31-2-682-120&catalog_description=
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Unfortunately, it comes as an assembly, wire bundle included. See the posts starting at #16.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/mondial/257129-how-do-i-remove-mondial-ignition-switch.html

However, dismantiling the assembly would require one to grind off these "rivets" in the photo below. Notice also that this is the switch portion of the assembly. The tumbler, dangling by its two black wires, is out of view.
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Definately not the same part on Pelican's.

 

If it helps, I just found this on Ricambi's website:

Appears pricey but it's new and comes with new keys and door tumblers.

However, now there's an extended source for replacements (Mondials 8 through 3.2 and the 355).
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Yeah, I realize now that it's an attached harness. Mine appears to be threaded through the column in such a way that it can't be removed without dropping the column or simply cutting it.

Ferrari Parts : 162548 : 162548 EURO SWITCH IGN - FMS Car Parts

Here's another source that's about $250 less.

I'll sure be pissed if this doesn't fix the issue.

 

Here's the photo if the Ferrari part. It's cross referenced to the BMW part, and looks identical.

So I'm guessing that to replace my switch with this one I'll need to drill out those rivets? It seems from your post that you simply cleaned your switch with contact cleaner, am I mistaken?
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You're venturing beyond anything that I've seen for a Mondial by replacing the switch by itself. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

As I recall, just dielectric lube for mine since it wasn't the issue (verified through inspection and testing) for my intermittent no-crank problem. Just another part of the elimination process.

 

The problem is most likely the worn/melted guts of the ignition module, not the switch itself. Please,be fore you commit your car to the bowels of the service center, go to my posts on this subject in the 400 forum and the 308 forums. This problem is systemic, and has been discussed at great length by many owners. The probable reason for your key not turning, not starting, is the the faulty ignition module, not the expensive switch. I hope this is of some value to you. Thank you. Jq.