Rodents...

[rsf]

Hello all,

I just pulled my Boxster out after having it sit for a while and thought I would do a visual inspection before taking it out for run. For the most part, everything looks good, however after looking in the engine compartment, I found something had taken up residence and made a comfy home on the top part of the engine compartment After cleaning everything out, I found a yellow wire chewed on (but not severed) and a blue and white one total chewed through.

The car starts and runs fine, everything seems to work no CEL...does anyone know what these wires do? How tough of a job would it be to replace them?...

I've attached a picture of what's left.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[jcslocum]

Year, Model, Trans, side of engine, near what else???

[rsf]

It's an '03 Boxster S with a Tiptronic. Attached is a picture of where the wires are...this isn't my engine compartment, but looks close.

[Timco]

Please provide link to owner of car in pic so we can scold them for how dirty that thing is.

Thanks.

[rsf]

Here's the link, honest...it's not mine.

https://www.google.com/search?q=boxster+engine+compartment&rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS592US612&hl=en-US&prmd=ivsn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwio2cLbl4XMAhUL1GMKHTt3BGAQ_AUIBygB&biw=1024&bih=653#imgrc=Jyada1WPiStn6M%3A

[paulofto]

I believe those are the wires that power the second rear fog light. Or not.

[rsf]

Just checked all the lights and everything works that I can see or find.

[Paul]

I recommend you disconnect the battery and repair the wiring before running the car again. The blue and white wires are twisted pair so they are most likely part of the car's Canbus network. Cheap way to fix: splice them back together and seal them up with some heat shrink tubing. Tape up the yellow wire with heat resistant electrical tape.

Expensive way to fix: replace harness.

[Jamesp]

Originally Posted by Paul

I recommend you disconnect the battery and repair the wiring before running the car again. The blue and white wires are twisted pair so they are most likely part of the car's Canbus network. Cheap way to fix: splice them back together and seal them up with some heat shrink tubing. Tape up the yellow wire with heat resistant electrical tape.

Expensive way to fix: replace harness.

+1 really good advice. Allowing them to short may become very frustrating and expensive.

[rsf]

Thanks for the advice...the wires are under the throttle body / intake manifold. I've done some searching, but haven't found a good article on removing the throttle body / intake manifold to get at this area. Anyone good links or videos?

Thanks again...

[Mark_T]

Clean the Throttle Body Porsche DIY

[rsf]

Started working on it today, and not as bad as I had thought. I have removed everything to get at the connector, however the brittle intake boots need to be replaced now. While I'm waiting on their arrival, does anyone know what this connector does? I've searched all over and looked a number of wiring diagrams and pictures and can't find anything. The colours on the wires are BL/BK (Blue/Black) and WT/BK (White/Black).

Thanks

[stelan]

Aren't those wires going to the MAF?

[rsf]

Originally Posted by stelan

Aren't those wires going to the MAF?

No, I don't think so...the MAF is closer to the air filter box. The connector I'm showing looks like it's bolted to the block or something.

[Paul]

The purple arrow points to the knock sensor.

[Jamesp]

Originally Posted by rsf

Started working on it today, and not as bad as I had thought. I have removed everything to get at the connector, however the brittle intake boots need to be replaced now. While I'm waiting on their arrival, does anyone know what this connector does? I've searched all over and looked a number of wiring diagrams and pictures and can't find anything. The colours on the wires are BL/BK (Blue/Black) and WT/BK (White/Black).

Thanks

That would be a detonation sensor. It retards timing if it senses detonation.

[rsf]

Since I'm this far into it, should I replace the sensor(s) proactively?...do they go bad very often? I have to order / wait for the intake boots to arrive since they deteriorated during the removal process.