dealy663

Hi

I bought a pretty nice '06 Carrera about 10 days ago. The PPI reported no problems. However I've had a few problems with starting the car. Once the starter engages everything is fine so that's not it. The problem sounds more like some security (immobilizer?) issue.

This has now happened on 3 different occasions all centered around when I was in the car learning about the computer operations, PCM and programming garage remotes. Today I spent a fair amount of time in the car with the computer and garage remotes. Now there have been at least 3 occasions today where I put the key into the ignition and went to turn the car on and got nothing. The lights in the instrument panel don't come on and the car wouldn't start. However the radio would come on.

I tried multiple times, then got out of the car. Locked it with the key remote, then unlocked it. This time when I turned the ignition on all the normal warning light came on the instruments looked normal and the car started. I drove around for a while then turned the car off and did some other things around the house.

An hour later when I went to start the car nothing again. This time I got out and locked and unlocked the car with the key in the door. Upon re-entering the car again lights came on and it started. Next I turned off the ignition, then attempted to restart the car and nothing. WTF!!! I then turned off the ignition removed the key and pushed the center lock button above the radio. Re-inserted the key and the car started.

So now I'm officially concerned something is going wrong. And now I'm worried about driving the car and getting stuck somewhere.

This is NOT a clutch switch issue. The cars electronics do not appear to be fully engaged (except for the radio) when this problem is happening. Any suggestions on what might be wrong?

Thanks, Derek

fskof

The battery-starter cable is a well known issue. Do a search here there are a bunch of posts about it.

Skibum

I'm not convinced that this is a starter cable issue.
Maybe the key switch itself?
Not sure if it is the same, but I had issues with the ignition switch in my Boxster when I had it.

Bob in NY

I had the same issue with my 06 C4S but it didn't happen that often enough that required special attention. My guess is it's an ignition problem. Take it to a good independent or the dealer.

997C2S9ff

Agree with fskof - You may try to charge the battery a whole night and see how the car behaves.
Had similar problem on mine...if you can try to measure charging voltage at the battery first, then battery naked and what most important (if you notice a small difference between these ones) measure the charging voltage close to the alternator. If your charging voltage at the alternator is far superior to the charging voltage at the battery engine on, it means that yo have to replace the cable..

kerlow66

Start with a fresh battery before you drive yourself crazy,Go to a autozone or pep boys to have your battery checked then take it from there.

fskof

My experience is that low volts will cause weird electrical issues.
The starter/battery cable is a known week area on the 997

Per Porsche's technical bulletin.

Issue: Battery discharged and/or will not charge properly. Voltage drop due to alternator-starter-battery harness damage at starter terminal. This issue is often mis-diagnosed as a bad battery, bad alternator, or bad starter, and these parts are often replaced in multiple repair attempts before the harness is determined to be the cause of the issue.

Before ordering or replacing other parts, have the car professionally inspected. Check the voltage drop between the alternator and battery. Bring the car to normal operating temperature. Turn on as many power consumers as possible (AC, headlights, radio, defroster, etc.). Use the same grounding point for the following voltage measurements:
- Measure the voltage at the "B+" terminal on the alternator.
- Measure the voltage at the battery positive terminal.

If there is a voltage drop of greater than 0.5 volts between the alternator and the battery, and all of the connection points are tight, check the harness terminal at starter. It is possible that the crimps on the starter terminal where the two cables are joined together incorrectly, causing an excessive voltage drop between the alternator and the battery. This voltage drop does not allow the battery to charge properly, and as a result, the battery will continually discharge until it will no longer start the vehicle. There may be no visible damage to the harness, and more measurements may be necessary to determine which cable or part of the cable is responsible for the voltage drop.

997C2S9ff

Yep, try what I wrote and fskof suggests :
-if your alternator voltage is close to the charging voltage engine on and both far superior to the battery engine off AND you are sure your battery is not weak, the problem is somewhere else. But it"s what I would do to start with - easy job Good luck

fskof

Does the 997 have the same ignition switch problem as the 986/996 has? I know that was a very common problem on the 986/996

fskof

I bought a pretty nice '06 Carrera about 10 days ago. The PPI reported no problems. However I've had a few problems with starting the car. Once the starter engages everything is fine so that's not it. The problem sounds more like some security (immobilizer?) issue.

This has now happened on 3 different occasions all centered around when I was in the car learning about the computer operations, PCM and programming garage remotes. Today I spent a fair amount of time in the car with the computer and garage remotes. Now there have been at least 3 occasions today where I put the key into the ignition and went to turn the car on and got nothing. The lights in the instrument panel don't come on and the car wouldn't start. However the radio would come on.

I tried multiple times, then got out of the car. Locked it with the key remote, then unlocked it. This time when I turned the ignition on all the normal warning light came on the instruments looked normal and the car started. I drove around for a while then turned the car off and did some other things around the house.

An hour later when I went to start the car nothing again. This time I got out and locked and unlocked the car with the key in the door. Upon re-entering the car again lights came on and it started. Next I turned off the ignition, then attempted to restart the car and nothing. WTF!!! I then turned off the ignition removed the key and pushed the center lock button above the radio. Re-inserted the key and the car started.

So now I'm officially concerned something is going wrong. And now I'm worried about driving the car and getting stuck somewhere.

This is NOT a clutch switch issue. The cars electronics do not appear to be fully engaged (except for the radio) when this problem is happening. Any suggestions on what might be wrong?

Thanks, Derek[/quote]



Do you have a warranty on the car? If so take it to the dealer and have it checked

fskof

Do you have a warranty on the car? If you do, take it to the dealer and have it checked

drummin4fun

Hey... I've got an idea. Since it is just sitting in the garage, take a picture!

Ken968

To OP,

I've recently had the same exact problems as you. I put the key in and turn and it's like the car doesn't realize the key is there. I don't think it's the alternator cable because from what I've read people have trouble starting thr car when it is warm. This is not the case for me.
I'm thinking it's the battery and have placed it on a trickle charger to get a full charge. Unfortunately here on the east coast we got a bunch of snow dumped on us so I won't be driving it again until all the salt and such have been washed away. My 2 cents says its the battery but I'm no P-car technician. Please post your findings if you get it sorted out.

997C2S9ff

Ken, the battery's ability to charge is an easy check at specialist..so I'm not sure it can be straightly connected to the problem IMHO.
Erf, why don't you drive your car during winter Just changed mine for the Vintrak Extreme for the snowy polish winter and it's a blast to drift with

Ken968

You could be right but the battery is the easiest for me to check. If its not the problem I will have it checked out by a mechanic.

If the weather is nice and there is no salt on the road I drive during the winter. we recently had snow fall and the roads are heavily salted, so until that clears up the car stays in the garage and I can work on some projects I was putting off.

Ken