Sometimes starter doesnt engage on start-up...safety feature??

[jeff740]

Hi gents, just looking to solve a bit of a mystery. I have had my 2001 Boxster for a few months and on a few occaisions despite having lots of juice battery wise, when I turn the key to the position where it begins to fire up the starter there simply is nothing. After wiping the cold sweat from my brow I usually move the gear shift a couple of times and check to see if my after-market mats are pressing on the accelerator as I was once told that there cannot be anything pushing down on the gas pedal during start-up (not sure thats a buch of hocus pocus.) I havent bothered to try to start the car with the pedal depressed since I still have the car in storage to see if that is the truth. I usually depress the clutch on start-up out of habit but im pretty sure the fail to start situation has happened even while doing that.

If anyone could pinpoint what start-up safety feautures the car has so that I can eliminate going through this embaressing ritual when im showing my car to friends.

Thanks.

Jeff.