Electrical problems / car won't start after rain downpour

[swoolverton]

I left my Boxster parked in my driveway while I was traveling for work …you know where this story is going. Correct: I returned to find the cabin full of water.
I've cleaned up cabin, cleared the drains, and dried out the Alarm module.

Once back together the car functions correctly …with one exception: the doors won’t lock.

- the door lock button on the dash: the LED is on but the button does nothing
- pressing the key remote: I can hear mechanical noise inside the driver’s door but the door is remains unlocked
- locking the car with the key, manually: the drivers door will lock but the passenger door is not locked

Using the Durametric I have no Fault Codes.

Any ideas of what my problem might be?

my car: 2003 Boxster, manual, <60K miles
Here’s the status of each Alarm I32 sensor (with the driver’s door open)

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by swoolverton

Once back together the car functions correctly …with one exception: the doors won’t lock.

- the door lock button on the dash: the LED is on but the button does nothing
- pressing the key remote: I can hear mechanical noise inside the driver’s door but the door is remains unlocked
- locking the car with the key, manually: the drivers door will lock but the passenger door is not locked

Any ideas what my problem might be?

Damaged immobilizer. Codes not required.

Try cleaning the connector pins first (male and female ends).

[old911doc]

Yup, highly likely a damaged immobilizer box. These evil devices should have been located on the rear compartment wall, where the engine control unit is. The immobilizer is encoded to match the ECU and the car's keys. There is an excellent repair service in Florida that can help you a great deal but you'll need to send the immobilizer, the ECU, and the keys to them.They make an aftermarket plastic box to replace the factory one, to improve the water resistance. I have fitted it to all three of my Boxsters after having one immobilizer box ruined.
Although much is made about water entry through the convertible top bay--clogged drain tubes-- that is not the only source of water entry.It can also enter through the front firewall cable entry grommets if the front compartment drain tubes are clogged, and through the doors if the door drain slots are clogged or the vapor barrier sheet is loose or damaged, as often happens during window regulator repairs.
Drying the carpet in the car is nigh upon impossible: the foam rubber holds water very well. The only solution I have found is to remove the carpet from the car, clean it front and back, wet-vacuum as much water as you can, and put the carpet away foam-side down, for a number of days in a well-ventilated area. Expect it to take a week in the summer, three weeks in the winter.

[Starter986]

Pardon me if already this inquiry has been posed, but can't the immobilizer be moved to the trunk? Can an extension with the appropriate harnesses be fabricated, and just secure the unit in the trunk? Has already this been attempted?

Thank you.

[old911doc]

You would think so, as many unique 'niche' products as we have in the world of Porsche culture, you would think... but I have never seen such a product. It would seem extremely simple to make, just a cable bundle with multipin connectors at the ends and a couple of grommets along the length. Hmm, my basement business for my retirement, if I ever get to retire.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by old911doc

You would think so, as many unique 'niche' products as we have in the world of Porsche culture, you would think... but I have never seen such a product. It would seem extremely simple to make, just a cable bundle with multipin connectors at the ends and a couple of grommets along the length. Hmm, my basement business for my retirement, if I ever get to retire.

So if that "extension cord", if you will, were fabricated... is that something you would consider purchasing? If it were a simple relocation effort, with a couple of holes to drill... how much would you pay for that good night's sleep?

Thank you.

[swoolverton]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Damaged immobilizer. Codes not required.

Try cleaning the connector pins first (male and female ends).

Thanks for the tip ParticleWave. The contacts (male pins and female receivers) were very corroded.