Need help, intermittent starting problem

[JonnyBGood]

Eventually, I'll get it to start.Guys, I need some advice. In the last 4-5 months, my 2000 Boxster has had this intermittent starting problem. I'd put the key in, turn it to try to start it, nothing happens. The lights on the dash all come on, the radio comes on. I'll turn the key to the off position, then try to turn the key again and it may start or not. This has been happening more and more lately.

I changed out the battery that was 4 years old thinking it could be a battery problem. No dice. Still happens. I just replaced the ignition today thinking that this would fix the problem. No dice. Same exact thing happens (or rather doesn't happen).

The only other "easy" thing I can think of is the clutch switch (anyone have the switch part number?) so I may try that next, but I was hoping that the experts on this board could help with what may be happening. Any idea guys? I'm almost out of ideas to try to fix this.

The only symptom is that the car won't start. It won't even try to start. It's not like the starter tries to start but can't turn the car over. It simply does nothing.

Thanks in advance

[Lobo1186]

it could be your ignition switch those do go bad and cause alot of strange problems

[JonnyBGood]

Yeah, I replaced the ignition switch yesterday. That didn't fix it.

[Bladecutter]

When you turn the ignition key to the start position, are you hearing any action at all from the engine bay behind you (clicking, cranking, nothing at all)?

If you are hearing nothing at all, try removing the clutch safety switch, and cleaning it, or jumpering the switch connection wires and see if you can then start the car with the shifter in neutral.

If the car starts with the wiring jumpered, then the switch is your culprit.
I think I remember someone saying once upon a time that the switch can be taken apart and cleaned. Or maybe that's just the brake switch.

BC.

[Spanky]

You could have a bad ground. Next time you have the problem, hook a jumper cable from your ground on your battery to the frame or even the engine if your cables will reach. If it starts then this could be your culprit.

I have also had the nut on the power wire from solenoid to starter come of a starter before (not my porsche) which created intermittent starting problems as well.

Good luck!

Chris

[JonnyBGood]

Originally Posted by Spanky

You could have a bad ground. Next time you have the problem, hook a jumper cable from your ground on your battery to the frame or even the engine if your cables will reach. If it starts then this could be your culprit.

I have also had the nut on the power wire from solenoid to starter come of a starter before (not my porsche) which created intermittent starting problems as well.

Good luck!

Chris

I'll try the clutch switch first then try this if that doens't work. How in the world do you fix a "bad ground"?

[JonnyBGood]

Originally Posted by Bladecutter

When you turn the ignition key to the start position, are you hearing any action at all from the engine bay behind you (clicking, cranking, nothing at all)?

If you are hearing nothing at all, try removing the clutch safety switch, and cleaning it, or jumpering the switch connection wires and see if you can then start the car with the shifter in neutral.

If the car starts with the wiring jumpered, then the switch is your culprit.
I think I remember someone saying once upon a time that the switch can be taken apart and cleaned. Or maybe that's just the brake switch.

BC.

WHen I put it into the start position, all the lights on the dash go off and I hear nothing. (I think all the lights normally go off until the car starts anyway). I may have to try jumpering the switch and see if that starts it up everytime.

Does anyone have the part number for the clutch switch?

[Bladecutter]

Originally Posted by JonnyBGood

WHen I put it into the start position, all the lights on the dash go off and I hear nothing. (I think all the lights normally go off until the car starts anyway). I may have to try jumpering the switch and see if that starts it up everytime.

Does anyone have the part number for the clutch switch?

I hope the clutch switch turns out to be the culprit, because the next idea is to check the wiring on the battery terminals, and their connection points, and then check the wiring on the starter.

If all the wiring is tight, then I would smack the starter a couple times with a hammer and rod in order to see if it frees up and starts engaging again.

If anything, tighten the battery terminals just a bit more.

BC.