Boxster Immobilizer Module- under seat
 

I was lucky enough to leave my window open during a
big storm and found a pool in my 2000 Boxster S. So the module
under the seat was submersed and clearly blown out.
:ah:

I took it apart and used compressed air to get all the water
out but unfortunately it doesn't work. (fuse didn't blow)

So my question is can I get a used one and have the keys re-programmed?

I can't find these modules anywhere via Google..

the part# on the box is 996.618.260.07 also
says M535

The PN# is correct for an '00 - it's called the 'Control Unit anti-drive-off feature, Central Locking, Alarm System' M535 just indicates that it's got Central Locking.

Replacement units are available, but you cannot reuse it once it's been coded to a particular car, meaning that you can't source it from a salvage yard.

My understanding is that the unit is expensive as is programming the replacement unit, IIRC some $3000+

Call a dealer to get a better idea...sorry to break the news to you.

Full list on the part is only $350 new and can be obtained substantially cheaper from Sunset Porsche. It will need to be programmed via a PST2 or PIWIS to match you car. Unless they come with the correct codes (which most don't) DME's and immobilizers from wrecking yards are useless paperweights.

-Todd

thanks ..
 

Sunset Porsche in Beaverton OR? I am happy its not 3K!!

I am assuming there is no way to program this unit without
having the dealer do with the special tool? plugged into the car?
so there is no way for Sunset to program for me.. being that I am
in NJ.

It is not good new$ when that control unit fails. Here is some more info. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=17717&hl=control+unit

A do not know of a way for a normal DIYer to do this. You need a PST2/PIWIS hooked up to your car and codes from Porsche. You also need to get the remote codes out of the old unit, unless it is too fried. Sunset can't do this for you unless you car is at their dealership.

The codes are not obtained from the unit, the codes are obtained based upon your VIN number from Porsche. Unless you have a PIWIS or PST2 you cannot do this yourself.

-Todd

Thanks for all the responses.
 

I order the module from Sunset Porsche for $230.. they are
great! I talked to my Porsche dealer locally and will install
for around $150.. which is reasonable..

I talked to another local dealer initially and they quoted $2500.00 offering to
take the interior out and all. Once I explained that
I already dried everything out.. the price when down
to $450.00 needless to say I will be taking to the other place.

Also, if the module unit is still somewhat functional they can retrieve
the codes for the keys. I plugged mine back in and I can unlock
the rear hatch so the wireless is working. But the module
is bad otherwise.. my interior lights stay on and no door locks etc..

Thanks again for all the advice.

I have the same problem. Where can I contact sunset porsche, any links? I cant seem to find them on the net. I got this one site (Portland Oregon Porsche Parts & Audi Parts | SUNSET Parts) but its a car dealership and does not have the control module I need. Getting from other retailers are expensive.

Kindly help anyone. Thanks.

that is it.
they don't have an online store. you will have to call or email them.

Porsche Boxster 986 Immobilizer
 

Hello buddies, Miami was immersed on very heavy rains last week. As a consequence of this, my 1998 Boxster Immobilizer, the one under the driver's seat, was fried. It was my fault to not to prevent this could happens so it did. Every Porsche dealer I contacted they told me the same "Bring the car over to evaluate the extension of the damage". By experience I know when a dealer tells you this you have to talk to your savings and prepare then to say goodbye to you. For those who don't know the symptoms of a fried immobilizer here they go:

Engine won't crank, will do nothing, not even the tiniest noise, like no battery installed.
Dome, hood and trunk lights will not light up.
Windows will not work
Alarm horn will get damage and you will need to replace it.
Doors locks and gas door actuator electronics could get damage. In my case the passenger door lock fried out. The rest not. Need to replace it. Good use offers on Ebay.

Searching the web for an alternative, yet reliable, solution I found a company located in Fort Lauderdale FL named SPECIALIZED ECU REPAIR - Specialized ECU Repair, Replacement, & Testing - Restore or Exchange your Electronic Control Unit (ECU) - They told me they will need the immobilizer, the car ECU unit (the one located at the trunk behind the driver's side firewall carpet) and the car keys so they could reprogram the fobs.

They normally receive all the stuff by mail but as I was not far from them I brought them personally. Got a pleasant first impression of the place and the people. The specialist who took care of me was Mr. Jorge A. Morales (George), a guy who knows what he is talking about. He gave me a brief but clear and sufficient explanation on how they make the repairs and gained all of my confidence (Not easy when my Boxsty is involved).

Left everything one day in the morning and next day in the afternoon they called me to inform that the repair was done successfully. $775.00 bucks later I was driving back home with a lot of hopes on my soul.

First thing to install is the car ECU at the trunk. Very easy. Then plug in the two cable plugs to the immobilizer, this you do inside the car. Reconnect the battery and Voila!, the engine started at the very first crank. Also both my keys communicate with the Immobilizer perfectly.

A little frustration was that dome lights and windows did not work. Called Jorge and he told me to check a list of fuses in the main fuse box. The 15A Fuse C3 on holder C, - CU Alarm-CL Power window, inside light - was blown out. That was the only one. Replaced it by a new one and everything started to work. Big Smile :).

Could not lock the car because I need to replace the right door lock. Once done, everything will become to normal again.

ECU Doctors developed an special waterproof case to protect the immobilizer and I bought one from them ($150.00) It is a very well done box which, when you follow the instructions provided, will create a 100% waterproof environment to your immobilizer. I would had bought it before If I knew the existence of it. Would had saved me hard earned bucks and a lot of stress.

I can now recommend ECU Doctors to every one who face the same problem I had because I tested it and it works. The advantages are:

No need to tow the car to the dealer
Way cheaper than dealers
Great communication with highly professional technicians team.

Hope this will help to reduce the stress that cause to suddenly find your lovely Boxster is good for nothing. At least it gives a pretty good alternative to solve the situation with not harassment at all. It cost some money, it's true, but as one locksmith told me once when he was trying to charge me a lot of money to program my spare key "Sir, you own a Porsche for Christ sake!"

Good luck buddies

You all need to buy the water proof box that's made for the immibolizer....

they also rebuild damaged ones, too.

Manny, thanks for the write up. Good to hear you are back on the road. The water proof box sounds like a no-brainer.

Just drill a couple of small drain holes at the lowest part of the floorpan under the seat ?
If you plan to do any deep water fording that could be counterproductive but ....

Yeah. I tried myself to make one using a waterproof box I bought on Amazon. It could be done with good results. A very sensitive area to work on are the two holes I had to make to allow the cables to enter into the box. I wasn't really sure if they will not allow some water to come in. Three things made me decide to buy their very well done box:
- They found a way to easily access the 15A fuse of the Immobilizer. You don't need to open the box and beak it waterproof condition to replace it in case it blown out. They have designed a special rubberized waterproof extension that comes out of the box with the fuse cradle at the very end and covered.
- The way the cables are entering the box is, indisputable, way, way much better than mine and will 100% stop the water from coming into the box
- The box will fit under the seat in the box cradle exactly as the original one so it wont be loose and moving around.
Specially for Porsche owners that never have had the disgrace of getting a water damaged Immobilizer this is a bless and will save not only money but time, stress and frustration. This damage is one of those things that, when happen, you really regret not having done something to prevent it.

wet Boxster box
 

Sorry to read of your misfortune. I had the same experience with my '97 Box, except that the windows were fully up and the drain tubes all around were fully open. In really torrential rain, water enters the rear drain pans faster than the small tubes can drain it out, so the pans fill to overflow into the interior. Porsche engineers, in a fit of inspiration, located the water-vulnerable immobilizer right where the puddle would form.
I had a very good experience with Jorge at Specialized ECU Repair in Oakland Park, FL near Fort Lauderdale. He seemed to know his stuff quite well, and seemed a very straight-up guy, so I can recommend him for your repair. They have a good website, ecudoctors.com.
I would urge you get their waterproof box kit as well. It wasn't ready for sale when they repaired the immobilizer in my red Box, but as soon as it came out I ordered three for the three Boxsters in our family.
I would urge that this box should be fitted to all Boxsters at such time you acquire a Boxster. It's about one-fifth the cost of the ECU repair, and can be done electively in about an hour without any tool more specialized than a Torx bit, which is thoughtfully included in the kit. The car is ready for use immediately while the silicone sets.
And lastly, there is a really high-tech modification you should perform while you have the seat out; DRILL A HOLE ! A 3/8" hole under the immobilizer would likely avert many wet-immobilizer problems in the first place. I have drilled both left and right floor pans in all three of our cars and we haven't lost another immobilizer to water.

Oldie....
Don't you get water ingress when driving in rain with just a hole drilled in the floor pan?

holes in my Box
 

No, nary a drop. The area of the immobilizer is well away from the spray pattern from the front tires, and the floor pan is about six inches above the road surface. I would never attempt to cross water that deep in a sports car of any type, and would be very careful about doing so in a large pickup truck. A high percentage of flood-related fatalities occur when drivers deliberately drive into water of unknown depth.
Even if the car suffered a quick, temporary exposure to water deeper than the car's floor pan, the rate of water entry through a 3/8" hole would be slow, so, as long as the exposure was brief, the water entry should be limited.

holey Boxster
 

When I drilled my Boxsters I recalled there is an ideal part to fit in the hole, an original Porsche part 911.631.259.02, available from our friendly Pelicans for $3.00 each. This part is a small rubber tube used in 1960's-70's 911's, fitted into each turn signal unit to permit water to drain out without water easily splashing in. I would suggest purchasing four of them, and measuring the groove in the rubber to see what size hole to drill in the floor pan. I suggest one hole in the lowest point, which is under the seat, and one hole near the back of the floor pan.