New member, need help with central locking and no ignition

[Jerry1847]

Hi all.

Picked up an 01 booster s project yesterday. Drove it two hours home just fine. Parked on the street for an hour or so then tried to move it to my garage and the ignition is dead. Turn the key, nothing happens.

Symptoms:
Central locking synchronization fault code via durametric
Interior lock button was red while driving
Passenger door will not lock (when locking with key in door or from switch)
Remote led lights but does not do anything when pressed
Double beep when unlocked from drivers door
Clutch is very stiff (needs to be replaced)
When I manually lock and unlock the drivers door then open it, the cluster will light for a sec then go dark (door sensor or Microswitch)?

I can't tell if I activated the immobilizer or what. PO did not have these issues nor did the Indy who serviced it last month. It started just fine when I picked it up. Floor mat is dry as well. While driving the key lock indicator was lit and I hit the button.

I tried to start it windows up, down, top up, down with no luck. Disconnect the battery for 30 min and nothing. I checked the fuses and C3 (40) was blown, replaced that and nothing.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Just want to limp the poor thing into my garage to start fixing her up.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Jerry1847

Turn the key, nothing happens.

This is the typical symptom when the immobilizer is engaged.

Originally Posted by Jerry1847

PO did not have these issues...

Do you know this as a fact?

Originally Posted by Jerry1847

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Do you have a 2nd key? If so, same behavior?

Try giggling around the key when you have the key turned all the way to the right to start the car. The problem might be in the electrical portion of the ignition switch. Failing ignition switch can produce strange electrical behavior.

Check/test the battery. Low voltage can create strange electrical behavior.

Originally Posted by Jerry1847

Clutch is very stiff (needs to be replaced)

Boxster's are known for fairly stiff clutch pedals. Slippage, rather than stiffness, is probably a better indicator of wear. Does the clutch slip? If not, extreme stiffness might be caused by the throw out bearing or similar component rather than the clutch itself. Either way will require dropping the transmission so I'd make sure that the stiffness is problematic before doing anything so costly and invasive.

[RobertKing]

You say this is a 2001 Boxster S? There is no exterior key lock on the passenger side of that model. Set the parking break, make sure to depress the clutch all the way and try again. If your keys are working, the immobilizer should not be set. Ignition switch electronics can cause this but it's probably not the case. Sounds like your keys are the problem. I have 2, 1 works, the other does not. By the way, the clutch is naturally stiff on this model. If it slips, that's a problem, if it doesn't, it isn't. Also, fuses do not blow without an overload condition. Investigate that issue.

[Jerry1847]

I only have the one key.

I called the PO and asked, possible he lied but it's seemed fine when I text drove

Battery is newer and charged.

The clutch shudders when released. That is concerning. I also discussed with the Indy shop and was told that had been recommending a clutch replacement for a year.

I'll mess with the parking brake and make sure I had it set. I just sold an 04 996tt so prior experience was based on that car.

Will report back.

[Jerry1847]

Guys, thank you.

I feel like an effing dingdong but i yanked the parking break up a couple more clicks and it started right up. I never even thought of that being a possible cause.

Still a bunch of other locking issues to work out.

So the good news, car made it to the garage.

Now to start taking it apart.

[Anker]

Originally Posted by Jerry1847

The clutch shudders when released. That is concerning. I also discussed with the Indy shop and was told that had been recommending a clutch replacement for a year.

Clutch is worn out. Get it fixed before the rivets ruin your flywheel!

[Jerry1847]

Originally Posted by Anker

Clutch is worn out. Get it fixed before the rivets ruin your flywheel!

Thats priority #1. Im planning to replace the flywheel also, the shop told me the PO has been putting it off for a while so assuming everything is worn. Going to do the IMS while im in there.

Going to be a fun weekend

[boxfix]

You can take the "PILL" for the immobilizer out of the key and mount it in the top of the rubber trim for the ignition key. You remove the trim and use good electrical tape and a zip tie to hold it in and reintall the trim.

Not my idea.....read it on this forum.

I will look for the post on this.

I have done it on my 2003 and had 2 spare keys cut. Bought the keys on eBay for a few bucks. Had them cut for $40 each at a locksmith.