BoxsterSS

Hello all, I have a 2002 Porsche Boxster - Automatic tiptronic transmission, 2.7L, 6 Cyl. Last week when i took it for a drive, all of a sudden the "Check Engine" light started flashing and after a while i experienced poor acceleration. I turn the ignition off and then turn it on and the car ran perfect for another 5 miles or so and the problem repeated. I took it to the Porsche specialist, and he has done the following: 1) Cleaned Spark Plugs (even though it has been 200 miles only since i got a major service) 2) Cleaned Ignition Coil. 3) He has removed all the fuel injectors and says will clean them tomorrow. 4) He says after that he will check the wires to the Engine Control Unit. He says if after all this, if the "Check Engine" does not go off then we will have to replace the Engine Control Unit. This is the error code he gave me: 1330 - Misfire in Cylinder 6 Can anyone tell me what the possible problem is? TO me it seems that the workshop has never faced a similar problem earlier and is a little unsure about what has to be done. Thanks, SS

Jonathan You HAVE to be kidding! This is THE EXACT list of repairs I got from the same garage for my 2002 2.7L Boxster! But I only had them do a major service! Did NOT let them change the Brake Fluid, or the Oil ring etc. I suspect that they are simply ripping off people! This is probably a standard procedure, while I was there I couldn't help but notice all invoices on their counter were ($2000+) they tell you much more than what the car really needs. I suggest you opt for a major service ONLY. Unless your oil seal really is giving you trouble, the Brake Oil change ANY GARAGE would do it for you. My Friends Garage (Osman Garage in SHJ don't do anything on Porsche but they let me do mine as a special case). PM me, may be I can give you more details. Boxster

Issue sorted, called up Porsche North America for help and they arranged the code for me :) Also found out that www.decoderz.com can provide the code. Very reasonable. So now its all musicky.... BosxterSS ps. PTEC that thing of getting the Serial # via the TP button was very helpful.

Thanks a ton ptam28 & Tool Pants. Will update the post as soon as I have this sorted out, again thanks for the lead. I can start buring the CDs now...

Thanks a bunch. Is there a site on the Internet where if I enter the VIN # and the serial # I could get the code? The dealer here want $200 for code and the fist available appointment is December 6th! Do let me know if there is ANY possibility other than the dealers. Thanks for replying :unsure:

Got 2002 Boxster 2.7L, I do not have the code to unlock my stereo. Where can I find this code? I do not have the service manual. Have heard if I take the stereo out, its written on it too, can anyone help? Of course going to the dealer is one option, but is there any other way? I'd like to sing along this weekend..... :help:

More pics - close up shots of the Alternator / components

Replacing the Alternator on a Boxster is easy for anyone who has a basic toolset and about 2 - 3 hours to spare. Take a few minutes to read the following note before you purchase a new Alternator. A new alternator can cost you anywhere between $500 to $800, but 10 minute check can save you hundreds. Here's how: Alternators have 4 major components: * Alternator core (the wire winding and the entire Alternator body) * Bearing (what the shaft and the pulley rotate on) * Voltage Regulator (rectangular component on the back side) * Rectifier (Horse shoe shaped component on the back) If you know that the Alternator is bad and has to be replaced, first proceed with the following tests: * Check to see if the inner wire winding look OK (clean) and does not smell burnt (if this case your alternator core is OK) * Check to see if the pulley (what the belt sits on) rotates smoothly and freely. (if OK it would mean your bearing is sound). If your core and the bearing are booth OK, chances are that either the voltage regulator OR the Rectifier has gone bad. These will cost you anywhere between $20 to $80. On a bad Alternator chances of a faulty Voltage Regulator are rather high, but to be sure you can simply unscrew the regulator OR take the Alternator to Auto-Electrician - they can tell you if the regulator is shot. In this case you can simply replace the regulator on the old Alternator. Here is the simplified version of the Alternator OR Alternator component change procedure: * Access the engine bay on the Boxster * Remover Passenger seat * Remove carpet panel and the front panel cover (see pic) * Remove the Belt * Unbolt and remove the Alternator * Replace components (Regulator OR Rectifier) or New Alternator * Follow: Put in first what came out last. Good luck :thumbup:

Porsche Middle East said that the car is under warranty for two years ONLY, since mines a month past the warranty they couldn't do much to help. I finally got the whole thing figured out and fixed. Gathered up the courage to take the job up myself, took apart the Alternator - what I found is very interesting...all I had to do was replace a voltage regulator and the Alternator worked like new! I took pics of the whole process, will post it here in a couple of days along with the part # etc - I'll send you a note informing you as soon as I post it. Thanks for your curiosity I am so jumpy I am back on the road :jump:

Mike, I already moved to Dubai - here I have just been able to locate 1 single independent Porsche specialist, they too, looking at dealers, have hiked up the prices like nuts! Oh well - I think I should get into this business... thanks for your offer of help! SS

adsach! thats one thing I didnt think of! Porsche AG has a regional office in Dubai -I'll take this up with them. Thanks for taking the time to answer! Ciao

Done. I stick to OEM Plugs. Yes I found 1 independent garage for Porsche, but they too are asking crazy prices for the Alternator - also asking for 3 weeks, suspect if they are buying also from the dealer. Guessing by the number of Porsches on the road in Dubai and the lack of proper Porsche garages pretty much explains why the Porsche agent has a fancy 80,000 sqft service center! Thanks for the URL http://catalog.autopartsperformance.com/, I'll have the Alternator shipped. I have an the Tiptronic Transmission - will replacing the Alternator require a special tool? porscheneer - you have been very helpful thanks! :thumbup:

Thanks! No I had no owners manual, but I have it now from this forum, so I can access the Engine bay no problems at all. What remains is if I should attempt an Alternator change on my own, or is this too complicated? We do have a local dealer - but they need 3 weeks, the part is not in stock for whatever reason, and they are charging a fortune! Imagine $1800 for it. Could you let me know if this requires a special tool? While I have your attention, I got NGK & Autolite spark plugs, is it OK to use them or should I stick to OEM? Thanks for your help in advance. Happy driving :drive:

New Kid on the Block - IN DUBAI Posting from Dubai. Just got my first Porsche, Boxster 2.7L, 2002 - Got the car from Miami, has 30K miles - had the dealer check it and heres what they had to say: * Major service: (Oil change / Airfilter Change / Spark Plug change) top off other necessary fluids (Asking $900 for this service) * Change Alternator (since the Battery keeps draining out completely) - (Asking $1800 for part + labor) After a few hours on this forum - Questions: * Is it wise to spend $900 on the service? * I thi Author BoxsterSS Category Boxster (986) - Common Fixes and Repairs Submitted 11/11/2004 08:48 AM