Boxster is stalled on Lakeshore Drive. No apparent reason, just seemed to die.

Do the 986's suffer from DME issues? Where is the DME located and is it the same part number as a 993, 996?

He got it running...so no hurry on issue.

Thanks.

Jeff

 

You have so many things to check-

Fuel delivery (pump, fuse, etc)
Spark
DME
Power to DME
Alarm interlock
....

First find out gas or spark?

The work backwards.

One odd thought. The famous audi ignition switch *can* cause this. Its very hard to diagnose.

Grant

 

To answer a few of the questions, the DME is on the firewall in the rear trunk, you have to pull down the carpet to get to it. But upon getting there all you can do is look at it and say "yep, that there's a DME". Boxsters are not particularly prone to DME issues. You don't say what year, I know that 97-99's are the same part number as a 99 996. Knowing that won't really help, though as you can't swap in a DME from another car. The DME must be be programmed with the right code for it to work with the alarm module (located under the driver's seat) so you can't test by swapping a DME fom another car unless you also swap the alarm module.
I'd say your best first step is to have it checked for any codes. Yes, what Grant said there are many possible causes. If I were going to work on it myself I'd start by getting a Durametric scanner so you can read the Porsche-specific codes. Post the results here and we may be able to help.
Good luck!
Randy

 

The owner dropped it off at the dealer b/c the tow driver wouldn't leave it at the local repair shop in the street. The dealer says that most all of the ignition coils are cracked. They are at $985.00 to replace those and will figure out if anything else is wrong once they get it running.