It was not a Porsche but it was bosch and it threw no codes. Just wouldn't start or would die suddenly. I trouble shot the fuel system and then after swapping the fuel pump I knew I was barking up the wrong tree. I inspected the CKP and saw that the cover was rotten, I cleaned it and it made a difference so I ordered a new one and replaced it and the problem was solved.

Well good news/bad news. I checked the pump power cable when I was cranking the engine and the pump is getting power, so it's not the immobiliser or an inertia relay problem. I also checked the fuel line at the rail and it was indeed getting fuel, so it's not the filter, and probably not the regulator. There was definitely enough pressure to spray me so it should have enough flow to run the injectors.

Well actually that is good news. The more you eliminate the closer you are to a soultion. I would look hard at the crank position sensor, throttle position sensor and the spark system.

yeah I am going to be checking the spark and injectors when I get home. Most likely it is something that is disabling all the cylinders otherwise it'd be running and I'd get misfire codes.

The things that throw codes and the things that do not are hard to reconcile sometimes.

crank sensor takes a crap - no codes
Leaky head gasket - no codes
new gas cap - codes
dirty MAF - codes

Go figure!

Nightly update: Checked injectors and they are getting a timing signal so that's one more part that is working! I'll swap the ignition switch tomorrow, and if that's not it, then it'll be on to the crank sensors.

Slow and methodical is the best way!

One guy suggested doing a compression test of the cylinders. Is there anyway that there could be gasket/valve/piston ring issues that would cause all of this? I had no smoke and my coolant and oil are both pretty clean.

That would be way further down on my list, I think you are on the right track looking at the electronics of the systems first.

Tonight's piece of the car that is working just fine: the ignition switch. On to something else.

Anyone want to buy a 99 boxster? I can swear that 90% of the car works flawlessly!

Man this is really odd. Last thing is going to be spark. To have zero ignitions makes me think something in the alarm system is still triggered or you really do have bad gas that refuses to ignite.
Chris

My money is on the crank sensor. It is a hall effects device and subject to failing due to metal, oil and time. I just replaced a bosch crank sensor on a V8, in 96-06 rovers they are a common failure.

In screwing with the ignition switch I was able to observe the alarm operating correctly. I agree with you about the gas, but the gas I pumped out of the tank with the fuel pump still hasn't separated at all.

There are two cam position sensors on the boxster. They are about $90 a piece. not sure if a single failure would do this.

I checked battery terminals and replaced the ignition switch. Nothing!

I attempted to start the car with starter fluid (not the BBQ variety) injected into the throttle body. Still nothing!

The first time I try to start the car it vrooms like it's going to work then immediately goes back to the whir of just the starter.

Okay so if you get an initial 'launch' of the engine then it dies with no further ignitions then I'd really change the fuel filter, no matter how much pressure you think you have. When the filter is blocked it will still seam some fuel through so waiting allows pressure to build up in the rails but after the initial surge then no more gas.

Beyond that I'd say its time for a shop because you're running out of places to look.
Chris

I would think the carb cleaner and ether I sprayed in there would have been enough for it to run for at least a few seconds if it was getting a spark. I might have to bribe some people with beer to help me get it up on the ramps to change the filter.

I haven't tested anything spark related yet besides the ignition switch. It seems to go straight to the DME and nothing I can think of can disable all the plug without throwing a fault other than something inside the DME. The DME is initializing but not reporting any problems.

Loren over at the Renntech forums suggested a large vacuum leak. Anyone have any information about this? I haven't mess with vacuum systems much.

Replaced the fuel filter and cleaned the throttle and idle throttle valves. I tested both and they seem to be working.

So, a final update on this problem...

Bad gas after all. Very odd, but dumping the tank and flushing the lines with fresh gas fixed it. Car started right up and idled right away. It's popped and idled rough a few times getting the rest of the crap out, but after a good drive down the highway everything seems to be working again. I got everything put back together, now I just need to get the electronics sorted back out.

What an arduous journey, glad you solved the problem, what a ******************** this one was. Go for a long drive with the top down.