Electrical Gremlins

[wroot]

There are two worrisome problems that have happened with our 2004 Boxster S in the past month. I would appreciate knowing if any other owners have had similar problems, and if they know what is causing them.

First problem:

Yesterday when my wife came out of the grocery store it was dark and raining hard. The car started fine, but the windshield wipers wouldn't work, the A/C fan wouldn't blow and the headlights were weak. She managed to get the car home and in the garage. I started it up and it did the same thing. I got the manual out and went back in the house to look up the fuses. Each of the non-working items was on a separate fuse, so I went back out to try all the electrical stuff to see what else wouldn't work. I started the car and this time the wipers and AC fan came on. Everything else worked fine, and has today as well.

Second problem:

Last week when I put the key in the ignition and began to turn it the key froze and the entire car locked down. The dash lights went out, the top lever wouldn't open and the doors locked. I couldn't get out. I was just about to kick out the passenger window when I tried the key one more time. This time it turned in the ignition, the doors unlocked and everything else turned on. Since then I 've had no problem, but I always start the car with a door open.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.