New Porsche Owner - some questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

waynes986 · 05-05-2011, 07:52 AM

Did you get a pre purchase inspection on the car? Sometimes the good deals cost more in the end because the cost to fix something on the Porsche is so much more expensive than on a regular make not German. The clutch and ims will probably run you close go $2500...

rdougan · 05-05-2011, 08:13 AM

Thanks for the replies.

I'll keep in mind to disconnect the battery when removing the seat.

And @waynes986, nope, I did not. But Unfortunately I can't go back on it now.. so fixing it up is the only way to go.

manolo · 05-05-2011, 08:18 AM

A cheap fix that may help some of your electrical problems is a new ignition switch. I had similar electrical gremlins that turned out to be the switch. When it goes, it causes all types of weird things in the electrical system (my low beams didnt work but highs did, windows didnt work, locks, top etc.) I bought an $11 switch and it fixed it all. Another telltale sign is that the key becomes difficult to go in/out of the ignition switch.
I'm in the East Bay and might be able to help you with the switch or loan you the tool I made, depending on my work load.

rdougan · 05-05-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manolo

A cheap fix that may help some of your electrical problems is a new ignition switch. I had similar electrical gremlins that turned out to be the switch. When it goes, it causes all types of weird things in the electrical system (my low beams didnt work but highs did, windows didnt work, locks, top etc.) I bought an $11 switch and it fixed it all. Another telltale sign is that the key becomes difficult to go in/out of the ignition switch.
I'm in the East Bay and might be able to help you with the switch or loan you the tool I made, depending on my work load.

Cool, thanks.

Does it *need* to be difficult to insert and remove the key for this to cause a problem?

stateofidleness · 05-05-2011, 07:31 PM

not necessarily. a good indicator is when you pull the key out, do you hear the "clunk" sound of the tumbler (correct word?) resetting?

the switch is cheap and easy enough to replace to mark it off the list. it causes all kinds of weird things to happen (mine was making my headlights act funny). usually the key would go in just fine, but pulling it out would "not feel right" and the clunk sound was missing. If you turn the car off and you're able to turn the key counter-clockwise and feel it "spring back", it might indicate a broken switch.

rdougan · 05-05-2011, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stateofidleness

not necessarily. a good indicator is when you pull the key out, do you hear the "clunk" sound of the tumbler (correct word?) resetting?

the switch is cheap and easy enough to replace to mark it off the list. it causes all kinds of weird things to happen (mine was making my headlights act funny). usually the key would go in just fine, but pulling it out would "not feel right" and the clunk sound was missing. If you turn the car off and you're able to turn the key counter-clockwise and feel it "spring back", it might indicate a broken switch.

Mine seems to make that clunking sound when removing the key, and it doesn't seem to overturn or spring into place. Should I replace anyway?

I removed the seat today and checked the fuse on the alarm box, but it was fine..

rdougan · 05-06-2011, 11:56 AM

What is an estimate on how much I should pay to replace the clutch, flywheel and fix the IMS? Should any place that work on Porsche's know about the IMS issue?

waynes986 · 05-06-2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdougan

What is an estimate on how much I should pay to replace the clutch, flywheel and fix the IMS? Should any place that work on Porsche's know about the IMS issue?

The shops around the bay area will charge about $2500 parts and labor.. Where in the bay area are you? Hit me up and if you'd like to try swapping power window switches out to see if it's just the switches then we could easily do that and eliminate some of the questions. I could also scan your car with a durametric cable I have.

laphan · 05-06-2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdougan

What is an estimate on how much I should pay to replace the clutch, flywheel and fix the IMS? Should any place that work on Porsche's know about the IMS issue?

Just did mine a couple months ago.
Labor is 10 hours ($780)
clutch kit $680
RMS $20
IMS $519
trans input seal $12

I did not need to replace my flywheel but the quote for flywheel is $1050.