Boxster Newbie...A couple of questions please...

[britkid]

Hi All,

Love the board - soooo helpful. I just bought a 2002 Boxster that seems (fingers crossed) to be in good condition with only 40k miles. I am a Brit, fresh to the USA, so bear with me !

I have a couple of questions for the experts on the board, please :

1) My remote control keys don't work. When I press the unlock / lock button, the LED flashes but nothing locks or unlocks. If I lock the car with the key in the drivers door, it seems to lock the car and the alarm light on the dash flashes, but when I go to unlock it, the alarm goes wild immediately. I looked in the owners manual, but there seems to be nothing there. It does mention that if you unlock the car with the key rather than the remote control, you have 10 seconds before the alarm goes off - not on my Boxster - it goes off right away. Anyone have any ideas whether it is just a battery in the key or something more sinister ?

2) I read a lot on the board about water leaks and such affecting the alarm system due to water gathering on the control unit. As far as I can see, there is no previous water damage / leakage to my vehicle, but I would like to know how to do a simple check of the drain function. Can someone please tell me how to do that ?

Thanks for your time....

Britkid

[KevinH90]

I'd try changing the battery in the remote first. It might not fix the problem, but it is the least expensive option.

Here's information on the drains:

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?...highlight=drain

Good luck and enjoy your Boxster.

[britkid]

I'd try changing the battery in the remote first. It might not fix the problem, but it is the least expensive option.

Here's information on the drains:

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?...highlight=drain

Good luck and enjoy your Boxster.

Thanks - I had actually tried that already. From your advice, I re-opened the key took a better look at the circuit board and specifically the three silver blocks that form the contacts between the "lid" of the key and the circuit board. I actually noticed that there was a bad contact between the main 'lock / unlock' button and the circuit board itself. Even though the LED came on, it didn't look right so I stripped down the electronics and re-seated the contacts. A little re-alignment and a little solder helped and it works perfectly now - the lock / unlock, front and rear compartment unlock - all is great.

I also dug around some more on the link you provided (fearing that my "alarm" / locking problem was due to water damage) and found some guidance on checking the drains on the top-storage compartment. I ran some water through the drain holes and they seem fine - no clogging.

I was really worried when I saw the water leak problems. I had a BMW Z3 in the UK that was always leaking water in and shorting out the alarm. It really was a piece of ****. I would never have another BMW, so that's why I went for the Box !

Thanks again for the help, I hope my problem fix may help someone too.

The "key" to the problem - check the contacts between the silver blocks inside the key and the circuit board itself - there is a tiny silver square (looks like foil) that is critical. Even though the LED flashed, it wasn't a proper contact.....

See ya,

Britkid

Edited February 6, 2008 by britkid

[pk2]

Hi All,

Love the board - soooo helpful. I just bought a 2002 Boxster that seems (fingers crossed) to be in good condition with only 40k miles. I am a Brit, fresh to the USA, so bear with me !

I have a couple of questions for the experts on the board, please :

1) My remote control keys don't work. When I press the unlock / lock button, the LED flashes but nothing locks or unlocks. If I lock the car with the key in the drivers door, it seems to lock the car and the alarm light on the dash flashes, but when I go to unlock it, the alarm goes wild immediately. I looked in the owners manual, but there seems to be nothing there. It does mention that if you unlock the car with the key rather than the remote control, you have 10 seconds before the alarm goes off - not on my Boxster - it goes off right away. Anyone have any ideas whether it is just a battery in the key or something more sinister ?

2) I read a lot on the board about water leaks and such affecting the alarm system due to water gathering on the control unit. As far as I can see, there is no previous water damage / leakage to my vehicle, but I would like to know how to do a simple check of the drain function. Can someone please tell me how to do that ?

Thanks for your time....

Britkid

Just because it doesn’t leak now doesn’t mean didn’t in the past. It might not hurt to take the unit out and clean all the cable connectors…as I would with all the connectors in the loop.

Call me crude and uncouth but I’ve had an ongoing war with pesky leaks for a long time & after ringing out that black box several times after storms (remarkably it worked after opeming up and drying out) and finally having wrecked one, I drilled a few holes in the floor …still leaks but at least I don’t have to sweat about a lethal puddle under my seat (and in the box).

Regards, PK

P.S. I’m subscribing here cause my remote doesn’t’ work on the trunk.

[Cassiebox]

P.S. I'm subscribing here cause my remote doesn't' work on the trunk.

Same w/ both keys? Do you hear the actuator clicking when you hit the button? If so, your issue is a frayed cable not w/ the key remote. Easy fix if that's the case.