Need help! Water in the driver's floor

[Tweetdriver63]

I will go ahead and answer some of my own questions, since I've found out more since I posted this.

First of all, the source of the water was a clogged drain. Seems this is a pretty common issue. Unfortunately, I didn't know about it until it was too late. I've cleared that up now, but still have the problem of what is apparently a fried immobilizer control module.

I'm looking into the possibilities. One is ECU Doctors, which runs about $800. The other is to buy a new module (Jim Ellis Porsche in Atlanta has it for $442 on their online shop) and then take it to the dealer to get everything reprogrammed. I don't know the cost there yet, but it seems there can be a lot of variation, dependent on the dealer.

Am I right that buying a used one on ebay, or elsewhere, isn't really worth the risk?

[78F350]

Originally Posted by Tweetdriver63

... the source of the water was a clogged drain. Seems this is a pretty common issue. Unfortunately, I didn't know about it until it was too late. I've cleared that up now, ...

Also consider getting a waterproof box for the immobilizer and making a small drain hole in the floor under the seat.

I'm looking into the possibilities. One is ECU Doctors, which runs about...

ECU Doctors has done good work for some forum members and is actually on the forum from time to time. Qmulus has done repairs on these and may cost less than the other options if he has time.

Am I right that buying a used one on ebay, or elsewhere, isn't really worth the risk?

There are some reliable eBay sellers that I trust. QualityPorscheParts is one of them.
Here on the forum classified section you can often buy a good set.
Itsnotanova (Woody) may have one: Parting out a whole lot of Boxsters
I have three spares from 2000 to 2002, one of which is in the classified section. All of mine only have one key.

I have repaired two flood salvaged Boxsters and both of them have a Immobilizer+DME+key fob from eBay. They work fine. The issue that may come up is that if you need a dealer to service your car, the DME will not have the correct VIN and other associated information. Not a big concern for me personally.

If you do buy a replacement set used, make sure that it matches the model of your car: Correct year range (DME version), Tiptronic or manual, Base or S, Same part number on the M535 box. Bonus points for more than one key and key fobs that are fully tested and guaranteed to work for remote locking/unlocking. You do NOT need a new key blade or ignition tumbler; you can just use your current key blade in the replacement fob(s).

[Doug427]

I just went through this two weeks ago. Get in touch with Steve, who goes by "Qmulus" on this board. He did awesome work for me with my water fried immobilizer board. He is responsive, quick, and his rates are the best you'll find anywhere. I can't recommend him highly enough.

[78F350]

Excellent, who do you insure with? I know that some of these cars have been totaled for very minor flooding.

Originally Posted by 78F350

Also consider getting a waterproof box for the immobilizer and making a small drain hole in the floor under the seat.

[Tweetdriver63]

Originally Posted by 78F350

Excellent, who do you insure with? I know that some of these cars have been totaled for very minor flooding.

I'm insured with USAA. Water damage is covered under comprehensive. It listed "water damage" and "flooding" separately, so I figured it was worth calling them. The car currently lives outside, and under pine trees. We had really really heavy rains last week while I was out of town working, and enough pine straw/needles and other debris came down on the car to stop up the drain.

I will definitely waterproof the immobilizer after this.