Couple of questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

johnscottroe · 03-01-2016, 08:56 PM

Hey guys. Fairly new 986 owner. Bought my '99 Boxster in September. Have a couple of DIY projects in tow I was hoping for some advise with. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

1. Not long after I purchased, had the car parked on a pretty severe down slope at a restaurant. Went to back out and the car hadn't quite gone into reverse. Rolled up on the cement parking thing. Pulled the right side of the bumper off getting off of it. Stupid I know, but it is what it is (and it did happen really quickly ). Got it home an was able to pop the bumper back on securely. Problem now is the fender light on that side isn't completely stable and tends to pop out a little (not all the way, just one side of the light will occasionally be sticking out a little). Any advice on how to address?

2. Car has the plastic back window. Just due to time I guess, it's a little fogged up. I was thinking maybe the stuff they use on foggy headlights may clear it up. Any thoughts on that or alternate ideas?

3. Had my first little mechanical thing. Car was driving fine. Put it in the garage. A few days later went to drive it and it would crank but the engine would not fire up. Messed with it over the next few day. Eventually tried cranking it while pumping the gas pedal little bit and got it to fire up. Since then it's been driven around a good bit and had no issues what so ever. Based on that I'm thinking fuel pump related issue. My current plan is to give it some time an see if happens again and if it does change the fuel pump. Thoughts?

4. In the midst of messing with it during number 3 I had the battery checked and ended up replacing it with a new one. Well, after the battery change, the radio isn't coming on at all. My understanding is that changing the battery probably blew the fuse in the back of the radio and that's why the radio isn't coming on at all. I have the radio removal key thing on order so I can do this. I also understand when I do get it on again, I'm going to need to put in a radio code. Where in the manual is this code? I'm also thinking about waiting to do this after I wait out the fuel pump thing since I'll have to disconnect the battery to get to it if I need to change it (leading to probably blowing the fuse again). Does that make sense or should I just change the fuse now?

So there they are, my first 4 Porsche questions. Hope you guys have the magical answers!

Thanks in advance and I'm looking forward to enjoying the forum and learning all I can.

John

Timco · 03-01-2016, 09:26 PM

1... Marker light pressure fits, so it's likely a little mis shapen. May need the lense and light socket.

2...sew new clear or better yet glass window in. Or new top with glass. Common upgrade.

3...FP is dead or good. Sounds more like CPS. Or flooded. Driving will tell.

4...you need radio code. It's an anti theft thing. Lots of radio code threads on here.

5...check rear fog lights. Often one is out.

Retroman1969 · 03-02-2016, 12:55 AM

First off, great looking Boxster! But then I'm a bit biased.

On issue #3, the hard start, I'm going to take a guess that the last time you had started it was just to move it into the garage, then shut it off. Starting them for just a few seconds floods them. If that's what happened then it's very common and not related to any malfunction.

#2, I've never tried it, but I would think that using a polishing abrasive like the headlight stuff might make the window worse. I'd try it on a small spot first. They make new retrofit tops for the earlier Boxsters that have a glass window. Highly recommended! I love mine, and can't believe I put up with the plastic window as long as I did.

jdraupp · 03-02-2016, 03:14 AM

For your window I'd try the Novus 123 system.

morgal48 · 03-02-2016, 03:29 AM

Or try Plexus for the window. Radio code is not in the manual. Its on a silver business card with the radio s/n and the code. There were also two Becker stick on labels included in a 3" X3" radio insert "booklet" in the owners little black carry case. The PO may have put one of those somewhere in the car Or, do a search here and on Rennlist, as there is as least one person who has the info on radios and codes.

paulofto · 03-02-2016, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timco

5...check rear fog lights. Often one is out.

Timco, you never let up do you.

Mark_T · 03-02-2016, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulofto

Timco, you never let up do you.

LOL! I was going to make the exact same post. It seems 'peggers think alike, some just a little faster,

rick3000 · 03-02-2016, 06:09 AM

+1 for Plexus to help the plastic window

RedTele58 · 03-02-2016, 06:20 AM

Your radio code may be written on the option list under the front truck. It's a 4 digit code.

Also check the paperwork with your owners manual - it's often written inside the manual or there's a business-size card with the code stamped on it.

grc0456 · 03-02-2016, 08:13 AM

Why has there been no class action suit? User feedback indicates nearly 100% of passenger side rear fog lights are inoperable.

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rick3000 · 03-02-2016, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grc0456

Why has there been no class action suit? User feedback indicates nearly 100% of passenger side rear fog lights are inoperable.

Okay, that made me laugh!

paulofto · 03-02-2016, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_T

LOL! I was going to make the exact same post. It seems 'peggers think alike, some just a little faster,

Heh Heh. . . beat you by only 23 minutes!

johnscottroe · 03-02-2016, 09:35 AM

Thanks so much for all the responses guys. Definitely gives me some places to start!

Hopefully the wait and see works out as nothing for the starting thing. And I'll definitely look up the rear window treatment.

Again thanks so much! I'm certain this won't be the last time I post random questions as I figure this all out

paulofto · 03-02-2016, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnscottroe

Thanks so much for all the responses guys. Definitely gives me some places to start!

Hopefully the wait and see works out as nothing for the starting thing. And I'll definitely look up the rear window treatment.

Again thanks so much! I'm certain this won't be the last time I post random questions as I figure this all out

Well welcome to a world of wonderment and joy. I haven't posted a question in quite awhile but I do peruse the threads almost everyday and usually learn something and when i don't I at least find some good laughs.

grc0456 · 03-02-2016, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulofto

Well welcome to a world of wonderment and joy. I haven't posted a question in quite awhile but I do peruse the threads almost everyday and usually learn something and when i don't I at least find some good laughs.

Ditto.

And John, in case you haven't figured it out - there is only one rear fog light on the driver's side. You had to go through newbie initiation.

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johnscottroe · 03-02-2016, 10:43 AM

Ha. And I was going to at least look and see what the hell he was talking about!

jb92563 · 03-02-2016, 11:35 AM

Once the rear window goes less than clear, its because the chemistry of the plastic has deteriorated to much and although Plexus will buy you some time, your plastic window is about a year or 2, if you don't retract roof often and store car out of sunlight, from cracking to the point of failure.

There are replacement options like:
1) a new aftermarket canvas roof to slip over the existing frame ~$450-650 plus ~$500 install or 8hrs DIY.
2) a used top with frame from an 03 model with glass window from Dismantler ~$750 install is DIY in less than an hour.
3) have a new plastic window sewn in to your top at a Sailboat Sail repair shop or other canopy type repair places ~$300 or DIY in 16 hrs with a hand needle and $100 worth of materials and plastic.

Buying a nice looking used top/frame with plastic window still leaves you with an old plastic window that will die sooner rather than later. Seems the lifespan of that plastic is no more than 20 years regardless of sun exposure.