Recently, I have noticed that I jump into my car and turn the key only to hear everything But the starter. It's like there is some safety switch that's wearing out that tells my car it's OK to start, because my car is in PARK.

BUT, when I shift into NEUTRAL, it starts right up. This happens at random, though I can say it's been twice in 2 days. Previously, it happened just the one time a couple months ago.

IS THERE a part perhaps in my shifter that needs to be replaced? This is an Automatic shifter.

 

Sounds like neutral safety switch

 

There is I'm sure a safety interlock switch that closed when the transmission gear selector is in Park and Neutral, the switch being closed to indicate the transmission is not in gear and it is ok to engage the starter.

It reads like the Park switch is not being closed. Because it doesn't happen all the time it is probably because the switch is wearing out though the gear selector "linkage" may have developed some slop and is not fully depressing the switch.

If you play around with the gear selector, pull it towards you or push it away from you or apply pressure in some other direction and can affect the engine start, I would attribute this to excessive "linkage" slop.

You don't want to tear into the gear selector hardware not knowing what you are up against and I can't advise you on this task.

However, a Porsche tech has probably seen this a number of times and would know what to do.

If you don't receive some specific guidance on what to tear into from someone who has been down this road before my advice would be to take it to a Porsche tech for diagnosis and repair.

 

Good advice, guys. I too was thinking Neutral Safety Switch, but did not wish to influence your responses. I will check this out in the 911 maintenance manual and see how "bad" this procedure can be.