Intermittent cut out in drive and starting problem

[Sallyn1]

http://986forum.com/forums/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=11

Hello, this is my first post and I would be really grateful for any advice on my Boxster 986 (1999) which I have for about 7 years and it has been a dream (though it is showing it's age a little now but I love it still...)

But last Thurs my car broke down in traffic. Was in first gear waiting to move off and all the dash lights came on. Car would not start. The engine would turn but not fire. Got pushed by a good Samaritan into a parking space. Tried and the engine would turn but not fire. Called rescue service, half hour later I tried the engine and it started! Drove home mystified.

Drove it all of the next day. All fine then that evening it broke down again twice. This time going down hill turning left, all the dashboard lights come on and engine was suddenly dead, rolled it into park space. Waited for rescue, half hour later it started again! Drove round corner and it died about 2 minutes into this journey. Got it towed to garage.

Garage (independent Porsche Specialists who I have used for 7 years) said it started for them, they drove it on and off over 3 days and it WORKED every time. Computer could not find any errors on the car. So, I had to pick it up tonight and drove home the 10 miles, hoping for the best and it was fine. Parked car. Restarted engine to check and it was fine. Decided to go to the park 5 minutes later. Wouldn't start.

I tried the key all different ways to see if it was loose or not engaging, I opened windows and the boot and it was all working but it wouldn't start. Opened car door and turned key and it started! Drove to the park with the now desperate dog (yes he does make a mess of the car, it's shocking) the car started fine after the park.

Drove to local shop after the park and was at a mini roundabout in first gear waiting to let traffic pass and all the dash lights came on suddenly and the engine had stalled. Same thing: would turn over but would not start. Had to be pushed into a side road.

Tried it intermittently about 5 times over 15 minutes. Would not start. Put roof up and down, windows, radio, and all were working fine. The dashboard did an oil health check, all fine. Would not start. Even changed the battery in the key and it would not start. Tried again perhaps 40 minutes later and it started. Drove home!

It's now sitting outside and I have no idea what to do with it or how to get it fixed!!

[Spinnaker]

Just a guess, if you have had the car for 7 years and are still on your original ignition switch, it may be time to replace it. This is a known weak point in the Boxster and is a relatively easy do-it-yourself project that isn't very expensive.
They cost $10-12 online, and about $30 retail on this side of the pond. You just need a small screwdriver. Lots of instructions on how to do it online. Some can do it in 10 minutes, others take a little more time to squeeze their arm under the dash.
My next guess would be the fuel pump and/or the fuel pump relay.

[Dale_K]

I've read some "no start" threads like yours and sometimes the fix is a new fuel pump. There is a test port at the motor to hook up a gauge to check the pressure. Also sometimes Porsche mechanics have a special test relay to verify that the pump is getting the voltage needed.

It's only guessing when somebody like me says they know the problem after reading about the symptoms but when the motor cranks with no start the fuel pump is definitely a possibility.

[Spinnaker]

There is a guy with a similar problem on the General Discussion section of the forum. His problem was a clogged fuel filter. Might be worth looking into. If you have access to a fuel pressure gauge it might tell you something.