CaptCody

Our 2003 996tt occasionally cannot be started because the engine does not turn over when the key is turned with clutch depressed. I have managed to start it each time by engaging the clutch in first gear, getting out of the car, and rocking it back and forth, getting back in, pushing in the clutch and turning the key again, and away it goes. If this does not work the first time, I try it again, and it works. This has happened while the car is on the flat, in the garage, cold engine and on a slight incline when the engine was thoroughly warmed up (embarrassingly while at a gas station filling up). The battery is 6 months new and I always have a trickle charger connected during the week, when I don't get a chance to run it. Every time I run it I put at least 20 miles on it without having to turn off the engine. There are no "clicking" noises when this is happening. Just no response when I turn the key. Any suggestions on what might be causing this?

TommyT

Try jumping the clutch safety interlock switch.

ipman

To confirm, you have juice when the key is in, just no start when you turn the key?

Continuing Tommy's suggestion, found this, post #35 for the Clutch Pedal Ignition Lock Switch https://rennlist.com/forums/996-turb...45-00-a-3.html Either jumper or replace, inexpensive , part # 997-613-109-50. If you jumper this will also allow you to start without pushing in the clutch, which can be a plus so long as you are safe/aware of your surroundings and are in N.

Carlo_Carrera

It could be a bad starter motor.

wross996tt

or a bad ignition switch...

CaptCody

Yes, we have power.














Yes, we have power.

TommyT

Jumping the switch is free and eliminates one component.

Carlo_Carrera

Since the OP is successfully rocking the car back and forth in gear to get it to start that is typical of a bad starter.

But as TommyT pointed out jumping the clutch switch an easy way to eliminate that.

pfbz

Wild guess: the "getting out of the car, and rocking it back and forth" has nothing to do with the intermittant start condition. You could get out of the car, do a jumping jack, get back in and have the same results...

The only failure mode I can see that "rocking the car" would have any effect is if the starter gear was jammed in the "engaged" position, and if you were driving the car without problems and just parked it, that wouldn't be the case, at least not without it making some serious noises before getting jammed.


Very common failures are ignition switch (intermittent is common) and clutch interlock switch (easily bypassed). Starters can go too, but not usually in the failure mode you are describing.

autobonrun

Rvca3112

ipman

I don't see how rocking the car back and forth would affect a starter. They take more than a slight nudge to have an intermittent starter work; I have successfully used a BFH to jar the brushes inside other starters, but that only works for so long and then a replacement is required.

mffarrell

"02996ttx50

pfbz

Just to clarify, you remove the two wires that connect to the lower clutch switch. They are simple female spade connectors. You then short the two wires together. This can be done easily and reversibly by just taking a few inches of wire and crimping on two male spade connectors, then sticking them into the female connectors removed from the switch. Add a wire tie to tuck it up out of the way..