Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-26-2025, 12:20 AM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2025
Location: Tarcento Italy
Posts: 6
Immobiliser problem? - 2.7 Boxster 2003

Hi,

Im building a Porsche powered Classic mini and I am having problems with starting the engine. The problem actually started on the donor vehicle as the last time I tried to move it under its own power it would start and stupidly I put it down to old fuel/spark plugs etc...

Im now at a stage where the whole wiring loom is in the mini as well as pretty much all the modules being attached. We have attached the OBD and it didn't show any problems, the key is being read, the M534 is communicating with the key, but we do not have the spark or fuel pump.

I took the ECU to one person I know, but he was unable to reprogram it and then a friend who is knowledgeable with ECU's has tried to bypass directly in the ECU the immobiliser but this hasn't changed anything, the engine cranks over without a problem but no spark or fuel.

My question is that I have read that there are a lot of problems with the M534, is this probably the case to? Or are there any other failsafes that stop the ignition and fuel?

Any help would be much appreciated!
PigMi is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2025, 12:48 AM   #2
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: LB, Germany
Posts: 1,525
If the systems works properly, the starter motor won't turn over when the immobilizer system is activated.

So for example, if the transponder isn't learned to the car, nothing happens if you try to start the engine.

What DME is used? 7.8?
__________________
My Porsche keyfob, instrument cluster and alarm ecu repair service: https://sportwagendoktor.de

Last edited by Smallblock454; 11-26-2025 at 12:55 AM.
Smallblock454 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2025, 01:18 AM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2025
Location: Tarcento Italy
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smallblock454 View Post
If the systems works properly, the starter motor won't turn over when the immobilizer system is activated.

So for example, if the transponder isn't learned to the car, nothing happens if you try to start the engine.

What DME is used? 5.2.2?
Please understand that my knowledge on the electronics side is limited. From what my friends who have been helping me have explained to me, The key is being read and the immobiliser recognises it, it seems to be more the communication between the m534 and the ecu.

The DME is a 7.8 if I remember
__________________
Project PigMi - Porsche engined Mini
https://www.youtube.com/@realdrivercars
PigMi is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2025, 01:52 AM   #4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2025
Location: Tarcento Italy
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smallblock454 View Post
If the systems works properly, the starter motor won't turn over when the immobilizer system is activated.

So for example, if the transponder isn't learned to the car, nothing happens if you try to start the engine.

What DME is used? 5.2.2?
Please understand that my knowledge on the electronics side is limited. From what my friends who have been helping me have explained to me, The key is being read and the immobiliser recognises it, it seems to be more the communication between the m534 and the ecu.

The DME is a 7.8 if I remember

__________________
Project PigMi - Porsche engined Mini
https://www.youtube.com/@realdrivercars

Last edited by PigMi; 11-26-2025 at 01:55 AM.
PigMi is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2025, 06:43 AM   #5
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: LB, Germany
Posts: 1,525
You can't deactivate the immobilizer in a Porsche DME 7.8 via software. If you try, you'll brick the DME. This Porsche system is proprietary.

From my experience in general the M534 doensn't break without an event. It can break while connecting the starter battery while ignition is on and some other events like this.

But when the M534 breaks, the DME doesn't allow the starter to crank and ignition and fuel injection is turned off. So i suspect you have a problem related to the DME or the wiring harness / sensors.
__________________
My Porsche keyfob, instrument cluster and alarm ecu repair service: https://sportwagendoktor.de
Smallblock454 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2025, 03:19 AM   #6
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2025
Location: Tarcento Italy
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smallblock454 View Post
You can't deactivate the immobilizer in a Porsche DME 7.8 via software. If you try, you'll brick the DME. This Porsche system is proprietary.

From my experience in general the M534 doensn't break without an event. It can break while connecting the starter battery while ignition is on and some other events like this.

But when the M534 breaks, the DME doesn't allow the starter to crank and ignition and fuel injection is turned off. So i suspect you have a problem related to the DME or the wiring harness / sensors.
Thank you for this, I will keep searching for the problem. It is strange as the engine cranks, but the fuel pump doesnt run and there is no spark.
__________________
Project PigMi - Porsche engined Mini
https://www.youtube.com/@realdrivercars
PigMi is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2025, 05:46 PM   #7
Registered User
 
Beelzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: California
Posts: 249
Quote:
Originally Posted by PigMi View Post
Thank you for this, I will keep searching for the problem. It is strange as the engine cranks, but the fuel pump doesnt run and there is no spark.
Classic DME symptom.
Beelzy is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2025, 04:45 AM   #8
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2024
Location: Western Europe
Posts: 260
This article describes something else, butr you could try to force the fuel pump running by bypassing the relais contacts with a jumper wire, figure 2. If it turns on you can rule out the pump itself.
997_986 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2025, 09:43 AM   #9
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2025
Location: Tarcento Italy
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by 997_986 View Post
This article describes something else, butr you could try to force the fuel pump running by bypassing the relais contacts with a jumper wire, figure 2. If it turns on you can rule out the pump itself.
Thank you for the reply, unluckily I have already tried this and the pump runs fine, really strange situation.
__________________
Project PigMi - Porsche engined Mini
https://www.youtube.com/@realdrivercars
PigMi is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2025, 05:04 PM   #10
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sanford NC
Posts: 2,597
There is no sound after the key is turned (or simulated)?
__________________
Prior '70 914, '99 986 Boxster, '01 Boxster S
mikefocke is online now   Reply With Quote
Post Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:54 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page