DougM

With my newly arrived turbo, the only way I can start the car is to first lock and unlock the car with the remote. Is the normal or some alarm thing that I can disengage?

LT1

That's the way I've been doing it for 6 yrs

bbs993tt

if you're referring to it not starting otherwise, it's because of the immobilizer. The other way is to insert the key, turn it to the first position and push the immobilizer button. That will allow the car to start without the lock/unlock procedure.

Turbodan

Did your car come with an owner's manual? It is highly recommended that you read that....and yes that is the way I start my car.
when the lights are flashing above the door then the immobiliser is on.

ca993twin

The immobilizer button is on your key fob. We call it the "immoblizer dance" because it takes some getting used to. Its the same button as the "lock/unlock" button. Just don't be in a hurry.

malcolmd

The other foible to remember, as stated in the manual, is to start the car in neutral with the clutch disengaged - ie, not with the foot on the clutch. This is beacuse the engaged clutch "pulls" on the flywheel and the crackshaft, placing a load on the side of the #1 thrust bearing and can lead to premature wear. This area is poorly lubricated in a cold engine. (don't ask me how I know this...).

ca993twin

Malcolm,

Thanks for the tip about starting the car. Did the 1997 TTs have a clutch switch where the clutch MUST be depressed to start the car?

Basal Skull

yup need to push the clutch to start the car, might me a North American thing since I don't think the European cars have this. You can easily bypass this by permanently activating the microswitch with a zip tie.

malcolmd

Ahhh. No such switch in the ROW cars. Might have been a good idea for those who don't read the manual carefully.

malcolmd

Hey, just like the manual, I didn't read the above sufficiently well.
Are you saying that the US '97 cars demand that you depress the clutch when starting?
Gee, if so, this is very much at odds with what my manual states is correct proceedure - certainly in a ROW '96 car. My tech supported by Kevin, alluded to the failure to adhere to this practice as been a possible reason why my thrust bearing failed several years ago.

????

Bill P.

Yep, gotta depress the clutch in the '97s to start....

Quadcammer

My 96 starts without the clutch pedal depressed. I have an EARLY 96 though.

MarkD

on '97s, bypass the switch at the clutch pedal
I did this using a small wire tie but you can also do it via wires

No HTwo O

Correct. This is what I do. With the clutch in. You can see the red immobilizer light (about the 3/4 o'clock position on the outer clock dial) illuminate when the key is first turned. Then the light goes out after the button on the key foob is pressed. When the light goes out, I turn the key.

Parnelli

guys, if u lock the car after each use you do not have to go thru that dance.....u just have 2 minutes or so before u have to start it after unlocking and getting in car