Tiptronic Boxsters 2002 or before or after - Replace the Shift Push Rod asap. The small ball end plastic piece deteriates and fails leaving the gearbox in whatever gear you are in. The result is the car will not start unless it was left in Park. Otherwise the park trigger never gets initiated and the car will not start. So annoying to diagnose replaced everything to finally find this issue being the culprit all alone.

Shift Push Rod.

Part Number: 98642604301
Supersession(s): 986-426-043-01

Part 8

 

I've got this exact issue on my 986, I can easily source the part but not sure how you remove the push rod. Did you need to remove anything else to make access any easier to get to the ball joint and how is the pin held in place on the bracket?

Any advise appreciated