mk3 starting problem

[seagei]

hi guys. ive had a good search but had no luck so far. ive got a mk3 abf 16v and recently its been a pain every now and again to start. it started last weekend when i took it to the car wash and turned it off. once the polish lads had finished i went to turn her over and she struggled to fire up but did after a few more turns than normal. i put this down to the engine getting a little damp. a couple of days passed and was starting fine. monday morning i got in the car put the key in the ignition turned the key and nothing! all the dash lights came up as normal. took the key out and tried again and the car started. im now having this problem every say 1 in 3 times i start the car. but seems to be getting worse. will have to turn the key 5-6 times before it turns over. any one had this problem? oh and im running a clifford immobiliser if this helps?
cheers, sean.

[Screech16v]

The ignition switch on the back of the barrel ,these fail often and cause your symptons to happen,next time it does it hold the key in the cranking position and wiggle the key,if it begins to turn over the thats your prob,they are about a fiver to replace and quite a straight forward job to do .

[seagei]

top man screech! its defo what you said. are the switches the same on all mk3s or different?

[madmanmart]

All the same...