Boxster won't start...

[NUFC3]

Left my '99 boxster on a trickle charge. Then when I went to start it, after it had been sitting for 5 days, nothing. It had been super cold. I Went through the usual checks. Battery is almost new. No blown fuses. Thought it might be the clutch switch, but alas no.

Then I checked the starter relay switch in the trunk. I did that little trick with wire and two male connectors after removing the starter relay. Good news is the car turned over. But she wouldn't fire up. Thought maybe it WAS the starter relay switch so I purchased one from the local dealership. Popped it in today and NOTHING. Car wouldn't even turn over.

I'm not sure what to check next? Any suggestions?

[piper6909]

Try disconnecting the battery for a few seconds and reconnect it.
Check for water under your driver's seat. It could be that your immobilizer got wet. (I hope not)

[NUFC3]

Originally Posted by piper6909

Try disconnecting the battery for a few seconds and reconnect it.
Check for water under your driver's seat. It could be that your immobilizer got wet. (I hope not)

Thanks. I think it might be the immobilizer. Fuse E1 was popped. Put another 7.5 fuse in and it popped right away. Took out the drivers seat and removed the immobilizer unit. It wasn't wet under the seat, but it did feel damp. No sitting water though. I have the unit in the house. Hoping it will be okay. Ordered some new fuses. Fingers crossed.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by NUFC3

Thanks. I think it might be the immobilizer. Fuse E1 was popped. Put another 7.5 fuse in and it popped right away. Took out the drivers seat and removed the immobilizer unit. It wasn't wet under the seat, but it did feel damp. No sitting water though. I have the unit in the house. Hoping it will be okay. Ordered some new fuses. Fingers crossed.

With the immobilizer removed, try putting a fuse in. If it blows, you'll know the short is somewhere else, not the immobilizer. There are several other items on that circuit that could cause the short.

DO NOT Turn the ignition on without the seat plugged in. It will trip the seat belt light and you can't reset it without an advanced scan tool like Durametric.

[NUFC3]

Originally Posted by piper6909

With the immobilizer removed, try putting a fuse in. If it blows, you'll know the short is somewhere else, not the immobilizer. There are several other items on that circuit that could cause the short.

DO NOT Turn the ignition on without the seat plugged in. It will trip the seat belt light and you can't reset it without an advanced scan tool like Durametric.

Thanks. I have new fuses arriving today. I'll put the seat back in and see if the fuse pops without the immobilizer.

I did take the immobilizer unit apart and it looks fine. No sign of damage at all.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by NUFC3

Thanks. I have new fuses arriving today. I'll put the seat back in and see if the fuse pops without the immobilizer.

I did take the immobilizer unit apart and it looks fine. No sign of damage at all.

Well, that's a relief! Good luck.

[NUFC3]

Originally Posted by piper6909

Well, that's a relief! Good luck.

Replaced fuse WITHOUT the immobilizer being connected and it popped. So that's good news. But I still don't know what my issue is? Why does the E1 fuse keep breaking?

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by NUFC3

Replaced fuse WITHOUT the immobilizer being connected and it popped. So that's good news. But I still don't know what my issue is? Why does the E1 fuse keep breaking?

That's very good news! That fuse also powers the radio and the instrument cluster. I imagine the radio would be easier to unplug and see if the fuse blows. Or you could have a pinched wire somewhere in the harness that's shorting. But I'd try pulling the radio next.

[NUFC3]

Originally Posted by piper6909

That's very good news! That fuse also powers the radio and the instrument cluster. I imagine the radio would be easier to unplug and see if the fuse blows. Or you could have a pinched wire somewhere in the harness that's shorting. But I'd try pulling the radio next.

It was the radio. I couldn't be happier! Took the Boxster out for a spin to celebrate. Thanks.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by NUFC3

It was the radio. I couldn't be happier! Took the Boxster out for a spin to celebrate. Thanks.

AWESOME! Glad to help!

Thanks for posting the solution!