Intermittent start, smart key or ignition switch?
01-14-2007, 02:47 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Intermittent start, smart key or ignition switch?
I have a 2000, regular Boxtser.
When I fiirst got the car there was only one key, and the keyless entry didn't work. I bought just a key blade initially, so could open the doors and turn the ignition but it would not start the car. Occasionally the original key would turn the ignition but not start the car. I would try multiple times and eventually it would start.
As I was nervous about having a single key, I bit the bullet and got a new key head with keyless entry and had the keys activated, so now I have two keys, one with keyless entry.
First of all what an absolute ripoff for the keys. The blade was $50 + $250 for the keyless entry head and activation, so $300 for a spare key. Its outrageous and to make it worse, the remote only opens the doors, it will not pop the trunk.
The new key also shows the same behaviour as the original ie it turns but will not start the car occasionally. The last time I must have tried 20-30 times before it eventually started.
My question is, is it an ignition switch problem or a smart key problem. As the car eventually starts it sound more like a switch problem. Anyone with similar symptoms and what was the fix.
When I fiirst got the car there was only one key, and the keyless entry didn't work. I bought just a key blade initially, so could open the doors and turn the ignition but it would not start the car. Occasionally the original key would turn the ignition but not start the car. I would try multiple times and eventually it would start.
As I was nervous about having a single key, I bit the bullet and got a new key head with keyless entry and had the keys activated, so now I have two keys, one with keyless entry.
First of all what an absolute ripoff for the keys. The blade was $50 + $250 for the keyless entry head and activation, so $300 for a spare key. Its outrageous and to make it worse, the remote only opens the doors, it will not pop the trunk.
The new key also shows the same behaviour as the original ie it turns but will not start the car occasionally. The last time I must have tried 20-30 times before it eventually started.
My question is, is it an ignition switch problem or a smart key problem. As the car eventually starts it sound more like a switch problem. Anyone with similar symptoms and what was the fix.
01-14-2007, 05:06 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
You have to get a fault read out to see if the immobiliser is going mad.
I had intermittent problems for 18 months - trying all sorrts of things - until eventually I got the immobiliser checked and when it was replaced everything was OK again.
It's worth at least getting the codes read before changing anything.
I had intermittent problems for 18 months - trying all sorrts of things - until eventually I got the immobiliser checked and when it was replaced everything was OK again.
It's worth at least getting the codes read before changing anything.
01-14-2007, 05:51 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The key turns everything lights up but the last position doesn't do anything, ie no click no crank nothing different than the prior position. It happens once every other week, usually it takes 3 or 4 attempts, this last time it took a long time. Once its started it doesn't have any problems untill the next time it glitches.
How much does the immobiliser cost, if that's what it turns out to be?
How much does the immobiliser cost, if that's what it turns out to be?
01-14-2007, 06:30 PM
#5
Race Car
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It's the switch. I have a 99, and it had the same problem. Porsche has had a lot of problems with this and sells the switch for less than $ 30.00. It's a pain in the *** to replace because of the tight space under the dash, but it's not that difficult to do yourself. If you don't fix it before it gets to bad, you'll wake up to a dead battery soon.
Steve
Steve
01-14-2007, 07:17 PM
#6
I have never seen a ign switch casue the car to not start, unless its due to the dead battery becasue the switch doesnt shut off.
I Would put my money on the clutch switch keep a paper clip in the car the next time it doesnt start un plug the 2 wires that go to the clutch switch, 2 individeal wires with female terminals at the top of the clutch pedal on the drivers side of the pedal. and jump them togetherwith the paper clip, does the car start? if so you my frined will needa clutch saftey switch, its about 18$ at you local dealer
I Would put my money on the clutch switch keep a paper clip in the car the next time it doesnt start un plug the 2 wires that go to the clutch switch, 2 individeal wires with female terminals at the top of the clutch pedal on the drivers side of the pedal. and jump them togetherwith the paper clip, does the car start? if so you my frined will needa clutch saftey switch, its about 18$ at you local dealer
01-14-2007, 07:18 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks Stevestik, I guessed it was the switch, but it's nice to get another opinion. Its nice that its cheap, unlike most of the outrageous Porsche pricing.
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01-15-2007, 06:57 PM
#9
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Originally Porsche just replaced the electrical part of the switch. Later Technical Service Bulletin calls for the complete ignition housing to be replaced. You can try the switch but failure rate is high on just that replacement. Common problem in 986 and 996 MY 97-2002.
01-15-2007, 08:55 PM
#10
im still saying its not the ign switch
laura is correct though porsceh will no longer sell you the switch, they make you but the whole ign lock 167$
its a common issue for 1997-2004+2005 turbos
laura is correct though porsceh will no longer sell you the switch, they make you but the whole ign lock 167$
its a common issue for 1997-2004+2005 turbos
01-16-2007, 12:17 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
I was convinced it was the switch too but the problems only stopped when I changed the immobiliser.
Cost me something over 300 Euros.....(they are bigger than dollars!!)
For your sake I hope it is the switch but don't pop the champagne just yet.
Sorry to be negative.
Cost me something over 300 Euros.....(they are bigger than dollars!!)
For your sake I hope it is the switch but don't pop the champagne just yet.
Sorry to be negative.
02-25-2011, 04:55 PM
#13
I have never seen a ign switch casue the car to not start, unless its due to the dead battery becasue the switch doesnt shut off.
I Would put my money on the clutch switch keep a paper clip in the car the next time it doesnt start un plug the 2 wires that go to the clutch switch, 2 individeal wires with female terminals at the top of the clutch pedal on the drivers side of the pedal. and jump them togetherwith the paper clip, does the car start? if so you my frined will needa clutch saftey switch, its about 18$ at you local dealer
I Would put my money on the clutch switch keep a paper clip in the car the next time it doesnt start un plug the 2 wires that go to the clutch switch, 2 individeal wires with female terminals at the top of the clutch pedal on the drivers side of the pedal. and jump them togetherwith the paper clip, does the car start? if so you my frined will needa clutch saftey switch, its about 18$ at you local dealer
crap
sorry
Last edited by G8RB8; 02-25-2011 at 04:56 PM. Reason: old thread
