My Porsche 996 (1999) will not start.

I have read various threads on this forum but none of the suggestions helped.

In Sept 2014 I took the car in for emissions testing here in Colorado. When the service tech handed me the paperwork, they said they could not turn off the car so they left it running. Sure enough they over turned the key and broke the starter switch. The car sat garaged for six months until last week when I replaced the starter switch. Unfortunately I did not have it on the trickle charger while it was sitting.

So...last week I put the trickle charger on for several days, then replaced the starter switch. (The old one had a crack in the plastic.) Got things back together and the car started right up. Took it out for a spin, making a couple of stops. No problems - started up again, until the last stop. It took a couple of times to turn the key to start. Got it home and put it in the garage, re-connecting to the trickle charger.

The next day I tried to start - the key turned, the lights and gauges came up, but the engine would not start. I put the charger on and hit the start button on the charger: still would not start.

I have:

- checked for a floor mat under the clutch pedal: not an issue
- checked the clutch switch: tests okay
- tested the battery: tests okay (shows green for start on battery meter - not volt meter)
- tested the ignition and DME relays: tests okay
- checked various fuses from C1-C4 and E1-E4. All fuses are good.

Still thinking it may be the battery, as it has gone bad before while sitting without a trickle charger. However, even if the battery were dead, would it not start with a connected charger in start mode?

Other than that - not sure what else it could be.

Ideas?

Thanks,
Don

 

Check the switch connections....sounds like something worked itself loose...other possibility is starter solenoid

 

I was going to check the starter switch tonight. Thought that could be an issue except all the lights and gauges come on when I turn the key.

BTW - when turning the key to the start position - there is no click or other noise.

 

I vote for Battery or Clutch switch. Unlikely the starter would fail given the conditions you listed (still possible but least likely). Six months with no power will kill a battery.

 

Starter switch connection is okay.

If it is the battery, wouldn't jump starting from a charger or another vehicle still work?

 

It doesn't take much to impede a good connection when jump starting. I'd give it a shot with another power source (car or charger)

 

Battery..or clutch switch is my vote.

 

Ignition switch possibly. ~$20 at Napa if you don't feel like getting bent over at the dealer.

 

Replaced the ignition switch last week.

 

just go to walmart get a H7(?) battery, clean the +- cables

might be the major ground cable which I believe is on passenger rear wheel behind the wheel well shield,,i remember a post about this problem

good luck, I hate electrical problems

 

Jumped from my Jeep Wrangler. Turned key - no start.

I will check the ground cable next.

 

Took the battery to NAPA and it tested okay. 750 CCA.

I will pull the rear wheel and check the ground strap this evening.

 

Ground cable checks out okay.

How do I check the starter solenoid, and more importantly where can I find it?

I have also heard stories of tapping the starter motor a couple of times. Is the starter is going would that help?

 

Ground cable checks out okay both mechanically and electrically.

Had friend turn the start key while I listened for the starter relay. Heard the relay click. Seems that power is getting from the starter switch to the relay.

Where does the power go after the relay? Assuming to the starter solenoid?

 

The relay should open a direct path from the battery to the starter. That should be a pretty big wire.