2000 auto will not go into gear. Where should I start?

[magicbigdaddy]

My wife recently picked up a 2000 Boxster (non S) (80K miles) with Tiptronic auto trans. She was driving one day stopped at a light and it didn't move again. Police and tow truck driver tried to shift it into all gears without any motion. Had the car towed home. Appears like the shifter has lost communication with the gear box. I did notice one time I drove it that I put it in gear and it sat there for a second or two then bam jumped into gear. What DIY items should I look at before I have it towed to a shop? Thanks in advance for any and all replys. Mike

[JTP]

Sounds like a bad torque converter. Same thing happened in my Ford, but I don't know anything about Porsche Tips.

[magicbigdaddy]

Quick update. I went out and tried it today and it shifted into gear and drove fine. I think my next step is to do the filter, fluid service on the tranny. Maybe I am lucky and the fluid is low. Any other advice is welcomed. Mike

[seningen]

Sometimes the gear shift cable stretches -- you can look at tightening it.

Had a 99 Tip did same thing.

Mechanic tightened the cable -- and viola -- perfect behavior.

Mike

[jcb986]

I believe there is a switch at the TIP which can get corroded and cause the same symptoms. Another forum member posted this fix a few weeks back.

[magicbigdaddy]

Again, I am new to the 968 cars. Myself and a tech changed the fluid in the tiptronic as per tips on this forum etc., we used the correct ZF fluid etc. 1st test drive seemed OK about a mile. Test drove again about a mile then problems began. Here is what we found,
Old fluid was a dark mocha color as if possibly water in the fluid?
Drove the car after fluid change and it shifted well thru 3rd gear - when it went to 4th nothing happened - no 4th or 5th gear. The indicator on the dash flashed between Man and Auto over and over. Then check engine light came on. Checked the code with a reader and it indicated "4th gear incorrect" reset the check engine light. Turned car off and started again drove the car, when it tried to shift into 4th the indicator lights flashed again and no 4th gear either manually or in auto mode. No check engine light yet.

Only other infomation is that the car was from CA and now in the NW (Seattle) and has been outside and we have had alot of rain. Inside of car has a bit of condensation.

Thanks in advance for any input, Mike

[jcb986]

Did you check the electronic connection plug on the TIP. It plugs in under the car so you can remove the TIP. You may have moisture or water there...use a top quality electrical contact cleaner if necessary. The ECU under the drivers set needs to be checked by a Porcshe dealer. If it's bad the cost is around $1500. Now, if your TIP is bad, look for a used one at a Porsche dismantler. Mike, my fluid was the same color...you should have drained the fluid very well and it should have only taken 6-7 liters of fluid...ONLY that since you cannot drained the converter or fluid from the front oil cooler.

[Spinnaker]

"We have had alot of rain. "

Alot??? Major flooding, mudslides, 6.8 inches of rain for this month and its only the 18th. I must have missed something.
Thinking about installing my spare bilge pump in the car except it's got a plastic impeller too!
And it's raining as I type this. (Guess it's better than snow. Having fun on the East Coast?)