Boxster S wont Start After Rain?

[lightyear]

I have a 2000 Boxster S, on Tuesday night at 1.30am the alarm goes off for no reason (it wasn't raining at this point although it did start shortly after and it has been a ridiculous amount recently in the UK). Drove to work the next day (in the rain) and all was fine, when I got to work the car wouldn't lock (well it would lock but would then immediately unlock and give a double beep of the horn). Went to drive home later that day and even though the dash lights lit up fine, when I turn the Key nothing.

Now clearly the rain has affected the electrics somehow thats a given. I was just wondering if there is something obvious to check first. Have just checked most of the fuses until I pulled one out and the alarm went off so I stopped. Is there anything else?

Just to note that I have noticed that for that past few months on and off, when I turned the key the starter wont engage immediately, I had just assumed it was me not turning the key enough as the Boxster ignition is quite stiff, but now I realise that perhaps it was related to the current problem. Could it simply need a squirt of WD40 in the keyhole?

Thanks in advance.

[Beelzy]

Check the Alarm Module under the driver seat, quickly!

Make sure it hasn't gotten wet, apparently it happens frequently. Drain holes for top may be plugged, causing the flooding.

Ignition switch sounds like a different issue, that happens as well. :rolleyes:

Welcome to the DIY club. :wrench:

[1schoir]

I have a 2000 Boxster S, on Tuesday night at 1.30am the alarm goes off for no reason (it wasn't raining at this point although it did start shortly after and it has been a ridiculous amount recently in the UK). Drove to work the next day (in the rain) and all was fine, when I got to work the car wouldn't lock (well it would lock but would then immediately unlock and give a double beep of the horn). Went to drive home later that day and even though the dash lights lit up fine, when I turn the Key nothing.

Now clearly the rain has affected the electrics somehow thats a given. I was just wondering if there is something obvious to check first. Have just checked most of the fuses until I pulled one out and the alarm went off so I stopped. Is there anything else?

Just to note that I have noticed that for that past few months on and off, when I turned the key the starter wont engage immediately, I had just assumed it was me not turning the key enough as the Boxster ignition is quite stiff, but now I realise that perhaps it was related to the current problem. Could it simply need a squirt of WD40 in the keyhole?

Thanks in advance.

If your drain holes have become clogged, then it is very likely that you got water under the seats. In U.S. cars the central alarm control module is located under the driver's side (left side) seat, I believe it is located under the right side seat in U.K. cars.

Here is a photo of it:

As Beelzy says: get to it quick!

If it has just happened, you can remove the unit and open it up and then dry it with a hair dryer or heat gun. That might resurrect it if it hasn't started to corrode the connections.

There are a number of posts on this issue, so do a search in the archives.

One other caveat: Be sure that the ignition is off and that the key is out of the ignition when you remove the seat. Otherwise, If you undo the main connector under the seat, you will set off the airbag light.

If you don't know where your drain holes are so that you can prevent future occurences, go to Mike Focke's web site, here:

http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/mikespor...boxsterwebpages

Regards, Maurice.

[Loren]

I think his will say M534 - UK is 433 MHz.

And yes, it will be under the right hand seat on UK cars.

[lightyear]

I think his will say M534 - UK is 433 MHz.

And yes, it will be under the right hand seat on UK cars.

OK yes have just checked under the Passenger seat, the carpet surrounding the well that the unit sits in is still damp, although there appears to be no water lying there anymore (perhaps it has drained away slowly). Will attempt to remove the seat and unit later today. Reading Mike Fockes posts on his website http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/drainsdiagram he says that "...It also controls the ignition and a number of other functions" - so this may explain why the car is not starting?? Will let you know what happens, thanks for the advice, would have been a v expensive diagnostic from a Porsche dealer no doubt.

[lightyear]

I think his will say M534 - UK is 433 MHz.

And yes, it will be under the right hand seat on UK cars.

OK yes have just checked under the Passenger seat, the carpet surrounding the well that the unit sits in is still damp, although there appears to be no water lying there anymore (perhaps it has drained away slowly). Will attempt to remove the seat and unit later today. Reading Mike Fockes posts on his website http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/drainsdiagram he says that "...It also controls the ignition and a number of other functions" - so this may explain why the car is not starting?? Will let you know what happens, thanks for the advice, would have been a v expensive diagnostic from a Porsche dealer no doubt.

OK, got the seat out and pulled out the module and the alarm goes off, so I disconnect the battery but the alarm is still going off (this is in the underground car park at work and its deafening!). So I quickly re connect everything and the alarm eventually stops. So how do I disable or stop the alarm going off?

Thanks

[wvicary]

UK has a alarm siren with a battery back up located next to the vehicles main battery, you'll have to disconnect this siren.

[Loren]

UK has a alarm siren with a battery back up located next to the vehicles main battery, you'll have to disconnect this siren.

Or remove the battery with the key in the on position.

[lightyear]

UK has a alarm siren with a battery back up located next to the vehicles main battery, you'll have to disconnect this siren.

Or remove the battery with the key in the on position.

...so last night I tried to disconnect the battery with the ignition in the on position, alarm goes off!!?? So I resolved to unplugging the the Siren and the Backup Battery instead. Couldn't find anything on here or anywhere on the Internet about the Backup battery, other than its position (which is right next to the main battery underneath the Siren unit - its not mentioned once in the Owners Manual (which is the US version) and I suspect might be something unique to the European version of the Boxster?). Its a real sod to get at too, just managed to squeeze my hand in-between what I think are some brake or cooling tubes tubes and pull out the plug, I disconnected the horn just for safe measure as well.

So then unplugged the battery and finally pulled out the Alarm Module from under the passenger seat (incidentally you don't actually have to take the seat out of the car, I simply unbolted it, folded it and pushed it as far back in the cabin as it would go, this gives you enough room to get the module out). The unit itself seemed on first inspection completely fine, i.e it wasn't soaking wet, just a few tiny drop of moisture. Had a good look under the carpet just behind the well that the Unit sat in and its absolutely sodden. Im sure Im not the first to say this but I cannot believe what a bad design flaw the whole drains/carpet/alarm module is? Why put something like the Unit (that seems to control a lot of vital things on the car) in one of the lowest positions in the cab where it can easily get damp or wet? I get the impression a lot of people have had the same problem and I hope they've sorted this on the 987??

So took the Alarm module home with me last night (luckily I have a motorbike as a backup) and put my oven on to about 50C degrees C (125F) as recommended on one of the other post on here. When the oven reached its temperature, I turned it off and put the Circuit board in and left it over night to cool. I guess this is the only way you can properly get rid of any moisture thats gotten into the components, I don't think a hair dryer or heat gun would be as effective. Bought the unit back to work with me today and have just put it all back together, plugged in the battery and turned the key..... and she started, first time!!!

The only problem now is that I've lost quite alot of confidence in a car which bought specifically because I thought it was bullet proof. OK I now know about clearing the drains etc and keeping an eye out for water on the floor, but I cant be stranded again.

Thanks again for all the advice, you've saved me a small fortune in dealership bills.

[1schoir]

UK has a alarm siren with a battery back up located next to the vehicles main battery, you'll have to disconnect this siren.

Or remove the battery with the key in the on position.

...so last night I tried to disconnect the battery with the ignition in the on position, alarm goes off!!?? So I resolved to unplugging the the Siren and the Backup Battery instead. Couldn't find anything on here or anywhere on the Internet about the Backup battery, other than its position (which is right next to the main battery underneath the Siren unit - its not mentioned once in the Owners Manual (which is the US version) and I suspect might be something unique to the European version of the Boxster?). Its a real sod to get at too, just managed to squeeze my hand in-between what I think are some brake or cooling tubes tubes and pull out the plug, I disconnected the horn just for safe measure as well.

So then unplugged the battery and finally pulled out the Alarm Module from under the passenger seat (incidentally you don't actually have to take the seat out of the car, I simply unbolted it, folded it and pushed it as far back in the cabin as it would go, this gives you enough room to get the module out). The unit itself seemed on first inspection completely fine, i.e it wasn't soaking wet, just a few tiny drop of moisture. Had a good look under the carpet just behind the well that the Unit sat in and its absolutely sodden. Im sure Im not the first to say this but I cannot believe what a bad design flaw the whole drains/carpet/alarm module is? Why put something like the Unit (that seems to control a lot of vital things on the car) in one of the lowest positions in the cab where it can easily get damp or wet? I get the impression a lot of people have had the same problem and I hope they've sorted this on the 987??

So took the Alarm module home with me last night (luckily I have a motorbike as a backup) and put my oven on to about 50C degrees C (125F) as recommended on one of the other post on here. When the oven reached its temperature, I turned it off and put the Circuit board in and left it over night to cool. I guess this is the only way you can properly get rid of any moisture thats gotten into the components, I don't think a hair dryer or heat gun would be as effective. Bought the unit back to work with me today and have just put it all back together, plugged in the battery and turned the key..... and she started, first time!!!

The only problem now is that I've lost quite alot of confidence in a car which bought specifically because I thought it was bullet proof. OK I now know about clearing the drains etc and keeping an eye out for water on the floor, but I cant be stranded again.

Thanks again for all the advice, you've saved me a small fortune in dealership bills.

lightyear:

Great job! Thanks for recounting the method you used to successfully deal with this unfortunately too common problem.

You are right that this happens frequently.

As far as a Boxster being bullet proof, read all of the posts here and on PPBB.com about IMS failure and you will get a different picture.

Congrats again!

Regards, Maurice.

[Beelzy]

OMG!!

Do NOT read about the IMS failures, truly horrifying. :eek:

The reason they call the desire for a Porsche an obsession, is that only a man obsessed would desire to own

one. :lol:

Good deal on the remedy though, you have what it takes to own a Porsche. DIY skills. :P

[Porschinho]

Hello all,

I've got the same problem but I realised perhaps too late that the control unit got wet. Since the picture was taken I have cleaned it with a tooth brush. Before removing it everything worked on the car apart from the central locking. What do you think - is it dead? Any tips on cleaning it further?

Thanks,

Henrik