Hey All!

Last week I finally bought my dream car: a Porsche 911!! I'm super excited to have found a nice 1999 996, 60k miles, great condition, and IMS, RMS, clutch, etc already worked on. Planning to get to know her, do lots of self maintenance where possible, and keep her around for a long, long time. Excited to have groups like y'all to exchange info as well -- so thank you!

Two questions:

The key / ignition seems to stick sometimes (IE locking me out from starting_ -- sounds like this may a common issue with these cars. Any direction / links to threads that may give me an idea how to rectify that issue?

Yesterday the CEL came on, took it to autozone and the code read P0446 Evaporative Emission System Vent Control Circuit. Any thoughts? One note here, i'm getting a faint smell of fuel in the car. I think is has to do with a fuel over fill a long drive from Dallas to Austin -- I think I may have topped off, and clearly shouldn't have...lesson learned...wondering if I spilled over into the overflow?

Coincidentally, i'm taking it in for a post purchase today at an Indy here in town. Will have them put their eyes on it too and see what they have to say as well.

Thanks!
Ed

 

congrats on the purchase. The ignition switch is a PITA to get to but doable. You may need to bend over backward. you can buy the switch for about $10 online like ebay ,etc.
good luck

http://www.pedrosgarage.com/Site_3/R...on_Switch.html

 

The key for my 996 Turbo was sometimes hard to remove. Felt like something was locking it in place even though I had shut the ignition switch to off.

Decided to have the entire switch mechanism replaced rather than risk the key being stuck in the switch and being unable to lock the car and in the meantime having the battery run down. The car's electronics won't go into its lowest power mode with the key in the ignition.

For the fuel smell: Use some tap water and pour it into the basin in the fuel fill bay. The water should drain down through the hole and to the ground. After pouring some water look under the car to make sure the water is only draining out the tube. If it is dripping from other surfaces the tube is bad and any gasoline you spill will flow to someplace inside the car.

I've overfilled both of my cars a number of times. While I'm careful once in a while I think the nozzle has shut off prematurely and rather than check the fuel level I just try to add more fuel and the nozzle shuts off promptly and as I slowly remove the nozzle fuel dribbles out. I make sure to let it run out and into the catch basin.

If the water flows ok through the basin/drain hole and to the ground there's another problem. Sometimes the panel that seals the fuel pump in the tank develops a leak.

With a P0446 this can be due to a couple of things.

Not much you can do on your driveway with no factory repair/service manual and no test equipment. About all I can offer is be sure the gas cap is secure.

In fact remove the cap and check the seal. The seal can age and develop cracks and leak. Leak fumes or if you over fill the tank leak fuel at least until the level lowers as the engine is run.

 

I purchased a 99 996 a few months ago and after reading a few things on the net, I thought I also had the 'dreaded' ignition switch problem. But I can say that so far, it has only been an issue with not having the steering wheel completely aligned with the locking mechanism when shutting the car off previously. I'm not saying that you need to "make sure the steering wheel is aligned" with anything in general. All I mean to point out is that the steering mechanism can lock up, as it should, but then unlocking can be a pain unless you pull the steering wheel in either direction slightly and the pressure is removed from the lock mechanism. Of course the key turns then with no issue. Maybe it's related to the bad ignition assembly since the ignition problem doesn't appear to include the electrical contacts portion as the problem when it goes out.

But I find an occasional slight pull on the steering wheel, is a lot more easier & faster than replacing the portion of the ignition switch that coords w/ the steering wheel lock mechanism. My point being that you should check this out. It's easier (cheaper) than having the switch replaced and still have the issue because of a slight design flaw in the locking mechanism.

Mostly, and obviously, have fun with your new toy. I know I do!!

Jamie
1999 996 Cabriolet