Out of the blue - it won't start!

[Thumper]

I have a 2001 986 2.7 tiptronic trans. 55K miles.

I have never had any real issues with the car until this morning. I put in the key and try to start it. The starter turns the motor over just fine, but it won't start. No weird lights, all appears as it always has, but it just won't start.

Let me back up a couple of days. I took it on a 200 mile road trip in which I did run into some moderate rain for approx. 1/3 of the trip, but it ran strong with no problems. I get back, turn it off and go into the office for a couple of hours. When I hop in it to go home, the starter turns, but it doesn't start. I turned it back off, waited 10 seconds and then tried it again. It turned over for a couple of seconds and then fired right up. Idled fine and drove home without incident.

Two days later (today) It won't start. I tried it three times, waiting approx. 10 seconds between each try, but to no avail.

I'm thinking fuel pump/relay problem? Any ideas of what to check/try?

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Check all fuses and relays. Could be anything really from ignition switch to batery cables or worse. You could try disconnecting the Battery (Radio Code in hand) and leaving it off 5 min or so. Then reconnect it and this should reset everything, it's cheap and may work. Try this first, next... AAA?

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Thumper]

I'm thinking that it's probably a fuse or relay and would've checked those things out today if I hadn't been in such a hurry to get to work. If I can't figure it out tonight, then I'll just call AAA and have it towed to RUF to let them have a look at it. It just has to be something simple. The car has been so reliable that I never think that it won't one day let me down. This was a complete surprise.

[Jeph]

Originally Posted by Thumper

If I can't figure it out tonight, then I'll just call AAA and have it towed to RUF to let them have a look at it.

Do follow-up if you end up taking it to RUF. Have you used them before? I'd like to know if their rates are acceptable (by my standards anyway).

[Thumper]

I have RUF do all of my service work. Hans and Wayne are first rate guys and their mechanics are all Porsche trained. They aren't the cheapest shop in town, but they are cheaper than the dealership and they treat you like you're their best customer. They even let you sit in the RUF cars and play with stuff. :dance:

[Jeph]

Cool thanks... as long as they are cheaper than the dealer, I'm on board. I'll have to check them out.