Dale Gribble

The Bad:

Central locking system died again for the 2nd time in 1 month.
The car previously had an aftermarket alarm with remote starter installed so figured this was the defective culprit. Took apart the interior to find the computer's brain and remove it. Car now doesn't start (don't hear the fuel pump priming when the car's turned on).

The sad:
There's absolutely no way i'm tackling undoing the rats nest of wiring under the dash so I called to have a flatbed take it to a well known audio shop who is familiar with removal of that unit. When the tow truck arrived, couldn't find the key to the car. Turned out I had left it in the trunk of my buddy's car when he dropped me off home and he was gone out to dinner one town over. So now the car sits, waiting for its tow to the shop on monday.

The ugly:
I have a feeling the central locking issue is not related to the aftermarket alarm at all, and that the OEM alarm box under the seat is on its way out. That doesn't sound cheap.

Oh...and all these troubles are after dropping a metric farkton of cash on a clutch job and IMS retrofit install.


The Rant:
Who the hell decided that EVERY LOCK on a porsche needs to be controlled by a central system? Why is there a lock on the damned fuel filler door that can't be released with a button like every other car on the planet? Why can't I lock my passenger door independently of the driver's door, or at least have a door lock button so when the system dies I can still lock the passenger door. Why does the trunk release lever INSIDE the car, have lock on it? If someone wants to rob me, they've already broken into/smashed what I imagine is a 500-1000$ piece of glass to get in....At least that way if your locking system fails, you can still get into the trunk without having to remove a wheel and a friggin wheel arch lining!


The Silver lining?
After the shop removes the aftermarket system, everything should be fine and the car will be drivable again. They said they can get the system out relatively quickly too (i'm thinking under 300 bucks worth of labor time).

babylonboots

Gonzo - You may need your AH magnet checked. Doesn't seem to be functioning properly.

fpena944

Was in a Hyundai Elantra rental car all week since I was out of town. Just got home last night and got to my car that was parked at the airport and couldn't figure out how to open it. Had to insert the key in the driver's side door then the alarm goes off when I attempt to open the frunk! I was just waiting for security to come arrest the Hispanic guy trying to break into a Porsche.

But once I got in I thought to myself, "damn this car is low!"

After I started driving I thought, "Wow this thing is loud!"

Then when I hit the exit ramp to get on to the highway I thought, "Wow this thing is fun!" and that's where the story ends with "Happily ever after..."

Gonzo911

Yours looks like its working just fine!

babylonboots

Works too well I'm afraid. Happened again the other day at a Steak & Shake in Pearland TX. I stopped in and parked at far end of lot - no one in sight. I told my son about the magnet when asked why I was parking so far away. Sure enough, when we came out, bubba had parked his offroad pick'm up truck next to my 996. If nothing else, at least it's causing a few lost souls to walk a little further to reflect on their feelings of animosity.

ivangene

hell of a Porsche weekend
Saturday I hosted a track day with the help of some good friends. I put about 250 miles on track, 30 (ish) of which were in a 997.2 GT3, and 30 in a 996 MKI - while I enjoy my car it is a LOT harder to drive than the newer cars - A LOT!!!

Anyhow the owner of the GT3 took some video and I thought I would share it with some of my online buddies

please be gentle - this is the first time I have ever driven a GT3 - some spots I picked to high of gear because my little 3.2 wont rev up as high so I have muscle memory - legacy shifting.... still fun!

after this I went to the annual awards banquet with about 100 other Porschephiles! LONG DAY!!
left the house at 4:30 am, got home around 11:00 pm

enjoy the footage

petonic

Cool video. Thanks for sharing. Looked like a lot of fun!

ivangene

fun like SMACK!

need another fix

Thanks, glad you liked it...yes it was/is fun

ivangene

well, because it really is all about MEEEEEE

sharing pics of MEEEE!!!
Hope you likey !
E
LINKY




chewing mustang tail....
(man those are HUGE tires...I am running street tires 6" and 7" 16's)

redridge

speaking of tail... what tail is that Ed... 993 aero? Nice driving Ed... Looks like fun in that vid.

ivangene

What the...where did that come from, must be photoshopped

Barn996

Nice Ed. Now, when will you be getting a GT3. I know it's water cooled, but Ed, when?

ivangene

Well, I was planning to buy a lotto ticket but the things cost like $1

IDK if I can swing it...but if i save up - I have a good chance of getting one....and it better be a winner!

sjfehr

I chaparoned a 4th grade field trip to Colonial Williamsburg yesterday; one of the buses got in a minor accident (nobody was hurt) but between that and the traffic, a 90 minute bus trip turned into a 4 hour ordeal. We finally got back to the school, tired and sore, and what do I see as my daughter and I walk through the parking lot? A 4th grader excitedly taking a picture of my 986S

ivangene

COOL!
I like it when a kid's face lights up seeing a car - esp when its a Porsche!

if the world wasnt so tuned to creepers you could offer kids a ride - but I think these days they send out the police just for suggesting such a thing