Non Starter.. :(

[alivreal]

Hi Everyone,

I am going out of my mind over this situation and would thank anyone who has any ideas of how to resolve the problem.

I posted this problem over 4 weeks ago when the car was taken to Porscheworx in Belsize Park North London. After chasing the owner, for 4 weeks and been given the run around it turns out that my car is in Colchester OPC and not at his place!!!… I will shed light on this matter once I have my passenger seat back from him!!!!

In a nutshell. The car was driving normally (Boxster 2.5 tip) I approached a ramp, lifted my foot off the gas to slow down and then the engine check light came on for a split second D4 flashed on the gear selector and the car cut out.

I tried to restart the car with no joy. Disconnected the battery and reconnected it still nothing. The car was towed to Porscheworks and since that point the car has not run.

I have towed the car to PorscheTec as I never gave the permission to Porscheworkx to send the car anywhere. If I wanted to send it to an OPC I could have done that myself and not one 70 miles from home !!!!.

A new key fob has been installed and I am told that the immobiliser does not keep the code, however I have been told quiet a few things over the last 4 weeks but unsure what to believe.

The dash lights work fine, all the info is displayed correctly. I am told the starter motor is fine, engine turns over and is fine, the gearbox is fine.

I am so desperate to resolve this matter as it has taken 4 weeks to get no where.

Thankyou in advance

Ali

Edited October 4, 2007 by alivreal

[rsfeller]

error codes from the security/immobilizer system would be helpful to some of the experts around here. I know I pull some codes on my system via the Durametric that don't trigger the CEL. I believe they can help you tell if the system has been changed around from the previous owner or confirm the computer (ouch!) needs swapped.

[alivreal]

error codes from the security/immobilizer system would be helpful to some of the experts around here. I know I pull some codes on my system via the Durametric that don't trigger the CEL. I believe they can help you tell if the system has been changed around from the previous owner or confirm the computer (ouch!) needs swapped.

I will try and get some error codes from the new garage. I was also told that the car is earthing on and off rapidly if thats any more help.

[pk2]

Hi Everyone,

I am going out of my mind ...I am so desperate to resolve this matter as it has taken 4 weeks to get no where.

Thankyou in advance

Ali

Hello

You don’t make quite clear if “engine turns over and is fine” means it’s running? Or even if it’s in your possession?

A little Sherlocking here, observations; your across the pond, not exactly balmy, your passenger seat is missing (?), someone’s been trying to fix it an illogical electrical problem.

Your passenger side is our driver-side. Someone was messing down there. Under our driver-side is the a main logic box/computer. If you’ve got a leak, with your less than stellar climate, it’s really easy to fill up that area under the seat with h2O. It happens to be the lowest point in the cockpit and there are no drains. That computer can easily be flooded.

With that said, if you get to it soon enough you can take it out, open it up, dry it out (if that’s possible over there), reinstall and drive away. If it’s been a month it will have corroded and would have to be replace.

If that is indeed the problem, do yourself a favour and drill a couple of holes through the floor at the lowest point. Wipe some gasket sealer into the holes to prevent corrosion.

Purist are cringing right now; yes you should find the leak and fix it, but until you do & knowing you’ll have more…give yourself a little peace of mind.

I could be of the mark, but that computer is in the lowest spot in the car and it can do all sorts of weird things. Explains a lot.

PK

[alivreal]

Hi Everyone,

I am going out of my mind ...I am so desperate to resolve this matter as it has taken 4 weeks to get no where.

Thankyou in advance

Ali

Hello

You don’t make quite clear if “engine turns over and is fine” means it’s running? Or even if it’s in your possession?

A little Sherlocking here, observations; your across the pond, not exactly balmy, your passenger seat is missing (?), someone’s been trying to fix it an illogical electrical problem.

Your passenger side is our driver-side. Someone was messing down there. Under our driver-side is the a main logic box/computer. If you’ve got a leak, with your less than stellar climate, it’s really easy to fill up that area under the seat with h2O. It happens to be the lowest point in the cockpit and there are no drains. That computer can easily be flooded.

With that said, if you get to it soon enough you can take it out, open it up, dry it out (if that’s possible over there), reinstall and drive away. If it’s been a month it will have corroded and would have to be replace.

If that is indeed the problem, do yourself a favour and drill a couple of holes through the floor at the lowest point. Wipe some gasket sealer into the holes to prevent corrosion.

Purist are cringing right now; yes you should find the leak and fix it, but until you do & knowing you’ll have more…give yourself a little peace of mind.

I could be of the mark, but that computer is in the lowest spot in the car and it can do all sorts of weird things. Explains a lot.

PK

Thank you for your reply.

The car is not in my possession at the moment. I have the car taken to a new garage near my house AGAIN after it was sent away.

I am told the engine turn fine, ie it has not ceased.

I have also been told that for some reason they cannot programme my immobiliser...

Not sure of the reason.

[Loren]

If it is wet under the left hand seat then your alarm/central locking/immobilizer control unit is likely bad.

[alivreal]

If it is wet under the left hand seat then your alarm/central locking/immobilizer control unit is likely bad.

There seems to be no water there or any sign of damp.

[Loren]

From what you describe it could still be a bad alarm/central locking/immobilizer control unit.

You need to find a shop with a PST2 or PIWIS tester.

[alivreal]

From what you describe it could still be a bad alarm/central locking/immobilizer control unit.

You need to find a shop with a PST2 or PIWIS tester.

The garage is getting an identical car and will swap the ECU and immobiliser to check for faults.

Does anyone know if its possible to fix an ECU if that is the problem?

[Loren]

Only if the DME will allow a re-program - then it is likely still not a long term solution.

The problem is usually not software - but hardware.

[alivreal]

Only if the DME will allow a re-program - then it is likely still not a long term solution.

The problem is usually not software - but hardware.

In this case I will call a few places and find out if its possible to get a second hand unit of the same kind...2.5 and tip whilst I await the result form the garage.

[juniinc]

I think it's your ECU DME unit.

Only if the DME will allow a re-program - then it is likely still not a long term solution.

The problem is usually not software - but hardware.

In this case I will call a few places and find out if its possible to get a second hand unit of the same kind...2.5 and tip whilst I await the result form the garage.

Edited October 6, 2007 by juniinc

[alivreal]

I think it's your ECU DME unit.

Only if the DME will allow a re-program - then it is likely still not a long term solution.

The problem is usually not software - but hardware.

In this case I will call a few places and find out if its possible to get a second hand unit of the same kind...2.5 and tip whilst I await the result form the garage.

It seems you are correct. A replacement unit is on its way. I have been told that with a second hand unit the immobiliser and keys have to be changed too.

[juniinc]

Cool, glad to hear that. It'd be nice to get her going again but I don't see why they couldn't reprogram your old key.

I think it's your ECU DME unit.

Only if the DME will allow a re-program - then it is likely still not a long term solution.

The problem is usually not software - but hardware.

In this case I will call a few places and find out if its possible to get a second hand unit of the same kind...2.5 and tip whilst I await the result form the garage.

It seems you are correct. A replacement unit is on its way. I have been told that with a second hand unit the immobiliser and keys have to be changed too.

[alivreal]

The car is back on the road!!!

I cannot recommend PorscheTec highly enough.

Andy had my car for 5 days, 3 days he was waiting for the part to arrive due to the postal strike. ECU, Alarm Unit and key fob.

Andy fitted and programmed it and looked over the car and gave me his honest opinion about what will need to be done in the near future etc.

He charged me for 4 hours in total which was fantastic!

I then had to call Mario from Porscheworx who had my car for 4 weeks without finding the fault. He requested I have to pay him 200 to get my passenger seat back for the time he spent on the car.

I paid him as I could not be bothered to argue with him and not have to deal with him any longer!

To sum up.

Porscheworx had the car for 4 weeks and sent it 70 miles away with my permission, not fixed the car and charged me 200 for promising the car to me 4 times and car not appearing!!

PorscheTec had the car for 5 days including 3 days of waiting for the parts and fixed the car with no hassle whilst being polite and keeping me updated.

I am very happy to have found a really good mechanic where I know I will not be ripped off!

Ali.

[juniinc]

Amazing! I just can't believe some tech wanna be guy had a car for 4 weeks without finding the fault. When I(we) can pin point the problem so quick over the INTERNET,,, WOW

The car is back on the road!!!

I cannot recommend PorscheTec highly enough.

Andy had my car for 5 days, 3 days he was waiting for the part to arrive due to the postal strike. ECU, Alarm Unit and key fob.

Andy fitted and programmed it and looked over the car and gave me his honest opinion about what will need to be done in the near future etc.

He charged me for 4 hours in total which was fantastic!

I then had to call Mario from Porscheworx who had my car for 4 weeks without finding the fault. He requested I have to pay him 200 to get my passenger seat back for the time he spent on the car.

I paid him as I could not be bothered to argue with him and not have to deal with him any longer!

To sum up.

Porscheworx had the car for 4 weeks and sent it 70 miles away with my permission, not fixed the car and charged me 200 for promising the car to me 4 times and car not appearing!!

PorscheTec had the car for 5 days including 3 days of waiting for the parts and fixed the car with no hassle whilst being polite and keeping me updated.

I am very happy to have found a really good mechanic where I know I will not be ripped off!

Ali.

[alivreal]

Amazing! I just can't believe some tech wanna be guy had a car for 4 weeks without finding the fault. When I(we) can pin point the problem so quick over the INTERNET,,, WOW

The car is back on the road!!!

I cannot recommend PorscheTec highly enough.

Andy had my car for 5 days, 3 days he was waiting for the part to arrive due to the postal strike. ECU, Alarm Unit and key fob.

Andy fitted and programmed it and looked over the car and gave me his honest opinion about what will need to be done in the near future etc.

He charged me for 4 hours in total which was fantastic!

I then had to call Mario from Porscheworx who had my car for 4 weeks without finding the fault. He requested I have to pay him 200 to get my passenger seat back for the time he spent on the car.

I paid him as I could not be bothered to argue with him and not have to deal with him any longer!

To sum up.

Porscheworx had the car for 4 weeks and sent it 70 miles away with my permission, not fixed the car and charged me 200 for promising the car to me 4 times and car not appearing!!

PorscheTec had the car for 5 days including 3 days of waiting for the parts and fixed the car with no hassle whilst being polite and keeping me updated.

I am very happy to have found a really good mechanic where I know I will not be ripped off!

Ali.

It amazes me too. However it does show the difference between a good garage and very bad one.

[juniinc]

The best Porsche garage is right here "RennTech.org Forums" . It was something you could've possibly fixed on your own in a few days instead of waiting for 5-6 weeks. :renntech:

Amazing! I just can't believe some tech wanna be guy had a car for 4 weeks without finding the fault. When I(we) can pin point the problem so quick over the INTERNET,,, WOW

The car is back on the road!!!

I cannot recommend PorscheTec highly enough.

Andy had my car for 5 days, 3 days he was waiting for the part to arrive due to the postal strike. ECU, Alarm Unit and key fob.

Andy fitted and programmed it and looked over the car and gave me his honest opinion about what will need to be done in the near future etc.

He charged me for 4 hours in total which was fantastic!

I then had to call Mario from Porscheworx who had my car for 4 weeks without finding the fault. He requested I have to pay him 200 to get my passenger seat back for the time he spent on the car.

I paid him as I could not be bothered to argue with him and not have to deal with him any longer!

To sum up.

Porscheworx had the car for 4 weeks and sent it 70 miles away with my permission, not fixed the car and charged me 200 for promising the car to me 4 times and car not appearing!!

PorscheTec had the car for 5 days including 3 days of waiting for the parts and fixed the car with no hassle whilst being polite and keeping me updated.

I am very happy to have found a really good mechanic where I know I will not be ripped off!

Ali.

It amazes me too. However it does show the difference between a good garage and very bad one.

[rsfeller]

It does seem some business models charge people for failed diagnosis, some obvious don't!

This week we lost our exchange server (email) at my business. Now I'm pretty good with computers but Exchange is best left to the experts. Two different techs couldn't fix our bad AD and database and it took them 4 days to throw in the towel and say it was unsalvagable. Since I needed email back up we went with another solution as exchange had crashed 3 times in 6 years.

They charged me a couple hundred to config the new system and get it going but did NOT charge me one penny for 50 hours invested in my old exchange system. Now that is great service!

The think that techs should always keep in mind is people don't like paying much for failed diagnosis or to be told their car/computer/wife is broken. Finding the heart to get them to invest in another solution or refund the money and consider it lost time will often go a long way in encouraging future business when they have something you CAN fix and charge them accordingly for!

Shawn

Edited October 13, 2007 by rsfeller