doridori

Hi everybody,

I have a 1998 993 C2S and it has been having an ignition problem for about a year and this ignition problem has been getting worse and worse.

In the beginning (i.e. about 1 year ago), the ignition problem will have about 30% chance of happening. As I mentioned, it has been progressively getting worse and by now, it is almost 90% chance that I can't ignite the car.

When I can't ignite, it won't crank at all. I have talked to a couple Porsche and 993 experts and they recommended me a couple of tricks. One trick is to turn the key on and push the remote button. The other trick is just insert the key and push the remote button. They work sometimes but not always.

The other trick that worked before is to reset my rear wing. But this trick has stopped working...

Please help. Any great advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

TMc993

EDIT - Response Deleted...I misunderstood the problem.

helmet155

DME relay problem woud be crank no start.

It sounds like immobilizer to me. Have you put new batteries in your remotes? Do you have two remotes? If so do both remotes exhibit the no crank, no start?

doridori

Yeah, when I can't start, I get no crank at all. So, it shouldn't be DME relay, right?

I haven't changed the remote batteries yet since the red light is still pretty strong when I press the remote button. (so, I assume that the remote battery is still good?) I didn't try with the other remote since it has a weaker red light. Do you mind to explain to me how the immobilizer work for 993?

Thanks

shamrock

Another suggestion is to consider if the starter motor is dying.

I had similar symptoms last year .. At first the car wouldn't turn over every so often but it got more and more frequent as time went on.Bad starter motor was diagnosed , with a new starter in I haven't had the problem since.
Turns out the starter motor is in a position that gets very hot (over the tranny) and so shortens it's life expectancy greatly.

Are you hearing anything when she won't turn over?
Even a 'click' or a 'clunk' sound?

Slow Guy

Just a wild guess on my part but I would check the ground strap to the engine. Make sure the connections are clean and the strap is in good condition.

JSA993

Assuming your car has a manual transmission, have you checked the micro switch (located in a PITA spot in the pedal assembly)? It sends a signal that the clutch is depressed thus allowing the starter to work. Yes, I know that's not a very technical explaination, but I had the exact symptoms off and on for several months. I replaced the micro switch and it solved the "no crank" issue.

Good luck!

helmet155

JSA993 good idea.

As a fix you can jumper the switch connector to rule it out without spending any $$ on parts.

chris walrod

an easy check would be to clean the ground wire on the starter