I love this thing. But even so, I have a small list of issues I need to fix. 1999 Boxster Base. 68,000 miles. Just bought it from a private party.

1. The spoiler doesn't seem to go up when driving over 75 MPH. I can't be sure of this, but when parked and using the footwell switch the noise of it going up is fairly loud. I'd think I'd hear it when driving. Can you see it in the rear view mirror when driving?
2. The driver's side (USA) mirror doesn't work with the adjustment switch. Passenger works fine.
3. The trim around the mirror adjustment (the triangle piece in the corner interior) keeps falling off. Where do I get clips to hold it in place? It appears nothing is broken, just missing the clips.
4. My cabin fan makes a whine when turned on. It does not change with the fan speed. Sounds like the fan bearing going out, although I'm not sure why it doesn't get louder when faster?
5. I have a distinctive whine in the engine that changes with RPM. It is engine only, as it does it when stopped. It sounds almost like a supercharger whine. Obviously the car is not supercharged. I'm guessing alternator? It is putting out 14 volts, but I still think it's the alternator. I need to open it up and disconnect the alternator belt to check. I still have not opened the "hood" yet, so not sure how big of a job that is.
6. Today I noticed that the idle (when warm) will slow down and speed up irregularly when sitting for about 30 seconds or so. Not sure what that is.
7. Lastly, and this is odd, if someone kills it, or my finger slips off the key before starting it fully (I'm still not used to left hand key) I cannot get it to start without taking the key fully out of the ignition and reinserting it. Not a huge deal, but could be an issue in traffic.

I'm going to be searching for all of these, but if anyone has any tips I'd appreciate it.

 

1. The spoiler doesn't seem to go up when driving over 75 MPH. I can't be sure of this, but when parked and using the footwell switch the noise of it going up is fairly loud. I'd think I'd hear it when driving. Can you see it in the rear view mirror when driving? Have someone drive behind you
2. The driver's side (USA) mirror doesn't work with the adjustment switch. Passenger works fine. It is an old car, use your finger to adjust, or take things apart and hope you find it.
3. The trim around the mirror adjustment (the triangle piece in the corner interior) keeps falling off. Where do I get clips to hold it in place? It appears nothing is broken, just missing the clips. Pelican may have a picture with the part number, or one of the dealer sites.
4. My cabin fan makes a whine when turned on. It does not change with the fan speed. Sounds like the fan bearing going out, although I'm not sure why it doesn't get louder when faster? In a friend's ford escape it was the wheel on the fan. My BMW and my wife's Volvo make a whine that we fixed by making the radio louder. Fan speed may be the ignition switch. A $20 part that is a **** to get to.
5. I have a distinctive whine in the engine that changes with RPM. It is engine only, as it does it when stopped. It sounds almost like a supercharger whine. Obviously the car is not supercharged. I'm guessing alternator? It is putting out 14 volts, but I still think it's the alternator. I need to open it up and disconnect the alternator belt to check. I still have not opened the "hood" yet, so not sure how big of a job that is. Water pumps are supposed to be changed at 40,000 miles. Mine made a whine and I replaced it, the thermostat, and before I added coolant I pressure tested the system and also replaced the two radiators and rubber hoses by the radiators.
6. Today I noticed that the idle (when warm) will slow down and speed up irregularly when sitting for about 30 seconds or so. Not sure what that is. My 99 base threw a code for the mass airflow sensor. It was replaced by the previous owner along with something in the air pump. I replaced the idle air control valve and it idles steady now. Also, there are videos on cleaning the old idle air control valve.
7. Lastly, and this is odd, if someone kills it, or my finger slips off the key before starting it fully (I'm still not used to left hand key) I cannot get it to start without taking the key fully out of the ignition and reinserting it. Not a huge deal, but could be an issue in traffic. Shouldn't have to take the key out. Turn it all the way off, then turn it back on. Try it in the driveway. May be the ignition switch. Plenty of write ups. Pull the air vent, and headlight switch, pull the tube below the steering column, contort to get two screws loose, remove, install, put back together. Sounds easy, it is, but still sucks after the third or fourth time

I'm going to be searching for all of these, but if anyone has any tips I'd appreciate it.

 

Thanks! You made me chuckle but also gave me some good ideas of what to look for. I'm going to open up behind the seat and put a stethoscope on the alternator and water pump and see if I can track down which is whining. I did not know the water pump was supposed to be replaced at 40,000.

Thanks for answering all 7!

 

You can't see the spoiler while driving. If you hit 75 mph and the car doesn't sense the spoiler going up, it will put a dash light on. Another way to check whether it is working or not is to put the top down, drive the car, set your phone to record a video and hold your phone over your head, pointed backwards. If you record using the selfie orientation, you should be able to catch a quick glimpse to confirm you are pointing the right direction and later when you are stopped can watch the video.

Regarding the grommet that holds the mirror control trim piece - the blue grommets are part number 191 853 615 A. I would be surprised if the top hook on your cover piece isn't broken - if not, you are lucky!

 

Thanks for the grommet part number. you're right, the top hook is broken off. A previous owner had tried to glue it on and it failed. Suncoastparts has the trim panel, but I'm confused about the color choices. they list either black or black/grey as options.

Is suncoastparts reliable to order from?

I did get the mirror to work, the connector for the mirror itself was loose. The little O-ring inside the connector crumbled away though, so I'm going to need a new O-ring from somewhere.

I also discovered that someone at some point setup a remote start and hooked it into the clutch switch. I cut all of it out and set it back to stock, but it's still needing the clutch pushed down a few times when it occasionally fails to start.

I may need to either bypass the clutch switch, or get a replacement. I'd bypass it, but my wife really loves driving the car and sometimes forgets she's not driving an automatic and just hits the ignition switch without the clutch in.

Good idea about the cell phone over my shoulder, just as long as I don't lose the phone in the wind. I've already done that on my motorcycle once this month.

On that note, I am occasionally getting a spoiler warning light when I start the car. After a few minutes it goes away though? And that's at just slow 35mph speeds. I can manually raise and lower the spoiler with the switch on the kick panel though, so it does have power.

 

I've had a few successes, in part because of a comment in here. Not sure if anyone else is watching this thread, but for anyone searching for these problems, and my own failing memory, here's what I've fixed:

Elav was right, I took a careful shot over my shoulder with my phone and the spoiler is working just fine.

I ordered a replacement top microswitch, took it apart and lo and behold, the previous owner had lost one of the little push nuts that hold it in place and just tried to daub some hot glue on it instead. Well with all the pressure from the latch, the switch was being pushed out of the way before it could be activated properly. I replaced the switch anyway, then spent about an hour and a half trying to source a new tiny push nut. I failed miserably. I did finally get the bright idea of just making my own, since I have a small fab shop, and boom! Everything works now! Top goes up and down, no messing with clicking switches over and over again. The windows also go all the way up now, which is a relief since they just yesterday stopped a third a ways from the top. We get a lot of rain here too, so I thought I was grounded until mid summer. So everything top related works perfectly now.

At this point I'm more than halfway through my to-do list, and very happy.

 

Great news! If you want to try and repair the plastic hook, I've had good luck with Plastex Plastic Repair Kit (Amazon) - nasty chemicals, but it works. I've never ordered from Suncoastparts but Sunset Porsche Parts has great prices - they are a bit slow on shipping but if you aren't in a rush. Regarding the spoiler light - it should be on each time you start the car and go off when you start driving - this is normal.