lliejk

I have been waiting for the failure to recur and it has not. Based on how it is behaving I am leaning toward ignition switch.

Obviously if it happens after I replace the switch, I would do the starter. I need to check the wiring now that it starts.

Question: Suppliers? Pelican, Suncoast, AutoAtlanta, someone else?

I will update the thread with any results.

Ed

earossi

I've bought parts from all the vendors. If you are looking for OEM, it is hard to beat Sunset Porsche. They have a great on-line system and generally, I have found OEM parts less expensive through them rather than from most of the other vendors.

For an ignition switch, which is not terribly expensive, I would opt for the OEM part.

I just checked pricing on Pelican versus Sunset for the switch. Pelican shows it for $203 while Sunset sells it for $163.

lliejk

Update: I installed a switch as the first step in solving this issue, and so far after 4 starts/stops the vehicle has started each time. Obviously I need more attempts to confirm this, but the last go around prior to replacing the switch, the car would no re-start almost every time after a 20 - 30 minute drive.

Fingers crossed. Will update again if it fails and I move to R&R the starter.

BTW, the space available is quite tight, I had to unhook the brake switch wire in order to get just enough room to do the R&R. I wish the kick panel was 2 piece like my Audi, would have been a breeze if I could have pulled that panel, but looking at what was involved, I decided against trying that.

Ed

lliejk

So...... cleaned the car up very nice yesterday, drove it around a bit, no issues. Took it out today to ref a couple of games at different rinks, stopped to get gas, get home, turn it off. No start.

So I am sourcing a starter and will do that job next. I will add my old switch to my good used parts pile.

I also have to deal with the clutch slave (disappearing PS fluid) and would like to do both at the same time, but I am not sure which way I want to go, GT2 conversion or just pull the coupler and replace the slave. Decisions, decisions.

Ed

o7silverturbo

Go BBI slave and dont look back, I personal hated stock clutch pedal feel

black997.1TT MT

FWIW I had a similar starting issue recently and had it diagnosed as the starter. The local Porsche service put in a new starter and it was CDN$333 for the labour (to both diagnose and replace) and $995 for the starter (Bosch starter that came with complementary Roadside Assistance for 2 years). Starts great now and clearly turns much faster than the faulty starter did even though it seemed quite normal to me.

lliejk

Update:

2 things:

1. When I went to pull the starter, I undid the 13mm nut and pulled the 3 large wires and off came the trigger wire from the smaller post. It had no nut on it.

2. When I started to install the reman starter, it was a different size (the windings/motor section was longer), so I checked and it is for a '90 - '98 3.6, not the 997 series

So, 2 more things:

1. I think the starter is OK and I would like to know who pays so little attention to detail they don't secure connections to a part (my guess is the part was replaced unless the 9mm nut tends to come off - which would be a first on any car I have owned)

2. I have to send the improper starter back and depending on what I decide on #1, maybe not re-order the correct one

A non existent nut on the solenoid trigger falls well into the possible explanations for an intermittent and random starter failure. Unfortunately, I should have gone for the dirty job (R&R the starter) before doing the cleaner one (R&R the ignition switch) and saved myself $180 and 2 hours of time. Of course if I choose to re-install the original starter with a nut on the trigger wire, I still may have a problem, but my gut tells me I have found the issue.

My guess is that this will be a first for any 997 owners out there and is a perfect example of why I like to do as much of my own work as possible.

Ed