Ignition switch - occasional resistance

Guys, I have noticed that I occasionally run into a little extra resistance when turning my ignition switch that last little turn to start up the engine. It seems to bind up a bit. In fact, I broke off my original hinged key in the ignition one day when trying to start my car! Thank God for my Ferrari tool kit. I don't know if any of you have ever had to use it but I was at a shopping mall and had to use the pliers to turn the little nub of a key to start my car. Oh the joys of our special rides. I fortunately have a duplicate key but it has the same problem as well so I'm wondering if something might be wearing out with the tumblers? I have no problem turning they key most of the way...it's just that last little bit of a turn to fire up the engine that seems to bind up on me. Ideas?

Thanks!
Paul

 

Mine did the same thing. I took it apart and cleaned / lubed it. It was full of 20 years of grime. Not that hard of a job and works great now. You have to be able to turn the key to remove the lock, so don't wait too long. Remember to disconnect the battery before you start.

 

Could you please post the basic steps for removing the ignition lock? I'd like to know just how hard it is before I try to tackle it myself. Do you think squirting some WD40 in the key slot would do the trick? (Or maybe squirting some on the key prior to insertion?

Thanks!
Paul

 

Could you please post the basic steps for removing the ignition lock? I'd like to know just how hard it is before I try to tackle it myself.

If I remember correctly (83 Mondial):
1. Disconnect battery
2. Remove steering column surround (3 or 4 screws from the bottom)
3. Remove the screw that holds the lock assembly in
4. Try to push the little button that holds in the lock assembly in
5. Put key in lock; turn the key, now you can push the little button in
6. Pull out the lock assembly, it will came apart; lock assembly, steering column lock thingy with spring, and the electrical switch. Watch closely as you pull it out so you remember how it goes back together.
7. When you put it back together, make sure that the electric switch lines up correctly with the lock. Its "notched" to only fit only one way, but easy to assemble wrong. Make sure the wires feed back in correctly and that the wire insulation plug thingy is in correctly, or the switch won't fit back in the hole.

Not really that complicated.

Do you think squirting some WD40 in the key slot would do the trick? (Or maybe squirting some on the key prior to insertion?

I don't use WD40 anymore.

I used PB-blaster to clean out the lock, and then greased it with white lithium.

PM me for phone # if you need a better verbal description.
Bob

 

I had the very same problem for years on my 1980 400i...broke or cracked many keys...the problem and cure seemed to tb the same as yours...but...it's not the real problem..the real vilain is the little black bakalite ignition module on the back of the ignition switch...it is notched in inside and is about to burn out..that is of course, if that is the same switch (black-round, and attached by two screws on a triag gular mountingplate to the back of the ignition switch).....rare as hen's teeth, but I've successfully sourced them out and if you indeed need one, and I'll tell you where to get it..they are approx. $85-$100 each and going up faster than crude oil..so get two. Ferrari...when they have them really visiouslygouge youfor $250-$500..US...they buy them up(like many thiings )and control the market..that's why I' not publishing my source..manny, many Ferrari parts are not model specific..I've put 10 years af constant research in this area just for "us"...thank the Ferrari Gods for this wonderful forum....Jacques..over..

 

...(black-round, and attached by two screws on a triaggular mountingplate to the back of the ignition switch)...

Doesn't sound like the same switch as my US 83 Mondial. On the Mondial, the electric switch and lock part are two separate parts held together by a combination of the parts that lock the steering column and being stuffed / compressed into the hole the whole assembly goes into. I don't know about the 308's lock.