Just bought my first Boxster!

[suburban99]

Hey guys. Just bought a 1997 Arctic Silver Boxster. 5 speed About 100k on the clock.

A couple of questions.

Air Bag light is on-I plan on reading up on Durametric software and possibly purchasing it.

Check engine light was on, I pulled a code po300 from it and reset it. The car ran out of fuel on my test drive.

I understand this to be misfire. Hopefully it was just the fuel. Only pulled 1 code from it.

The electric defroster switch is uliminated all the time.

Where can I get an owners manual preferably PDF and free? I have seen a 99 owners manual online and downloaded it.

Currently trailering car home. Thanks

[White987S]

Congrats on your Boxster! Lots of good info here. Read a lot and use the "search" features. Also, send in a donation, and become a Contributing Memeber, and get more access.

[wvicary]

Post the air bag codes when you get them, could be many reasons for it to be light up. I don't think the '97s had a rear window defogger, maybe the switch is being used for some aftermarket feature.

Oh welcome to the forum and enjoy your new ride!

[suburban99]

Sepentine belt came off yesterday. Idler pulley bearing seized and thru off belt. Hauled car home on my trailer as I did not want to overheat engine.

Replaced all the bearings in the idler pulleys today ($4.00 each) and put belt back on.

Car has a slightly rough idle after warming up and check engine light comes on after driving for about 4 miles or so. P0300 is the only error code I can pull with my code reader.

Do I need to buy a different one or am I not doing it right? Any help appreciated.

[kedf1]

the defrost switch operates the optional side view mirror defrosters, also the switch is used when the optional hardtop is used. (mine operates the glass window convertible top upgrade with defroster too)

it may just be stuck on, give it a couple hard pushes on and off, mine did that the other day and no problem since then.

buy the bentley manual, worth every penny.

[suburban99]

OK pulled codes with the code reader again.

PO300

PO301

PO302

PO303

P1319

P1313

P1314

P1315

PO341

I have read that the O2 sensor can cause missfires in one bank of cylinders...Any help? Thanks

[Loren]

OK pulled codes with the code reader again.

PO300

PO301

PO302

PO303

P1319

P1313

P1314

P1315

PO341

I have read that the O2 sensor can cause missfires in one bank of cylinders...Any help? Thanks

O2 sensors do not cause misfires.

P0300 Misfire Damaging to Catalytic Converter

P0301 Misfire, Cylinder 1, Damaging to Catalytic Converter

P0302 Misfire, Cylinder 2, Damaging to Catalytic Converter

P0303 Misfire, Cylinder 3, Damaging to Catalytic Converter

P1313 Misfire, Cylinder 1, Emission Relevant

P1314 Misfire, Cylinder 2, Emission Relevant

P1315 Misfire, Cylinder 3, Emission Relevant

P1319 Misfire, Emission Relevant

P0341 Camshaft Position Sensor 1 - Signal Implausible, Short to Ground, Short to B+

Looks to me like you may have a cam position sensor problem.

All your faults are on bank one of the engine (one side).

Further investigation is warranted - and the car should not be driven (or run) as it is now - or more damage may be done.

[suburban99]

Thanks for the reply.

Cam position sensor...I will check tomorrow to see if it's unplugged...any way to test it off car?

Another question may be related or not...while I was fixing the spoiler switch I noticed that the bottom

row of relays above the fusepanel does not have any relays in it. As well the heater fan does not work.

The defrost switch is illuminated all the time so I thought maybe the countdown relay was missing? (just a guess)

Do you know where to get a picture of the relay tray with their intended functions?

Again thanks.

[White987S]

suburban99, did you get a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI)?

[suburban99]

suburban99, did you get a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI)?

No I did not. Car was bought as a project.

I figured if I bought an old chevy I would be working on it too.

Car was well priced.

[suburban99]

OK pulled codes with the code reader again.

PO300

PO301

PO302

PO303

P1319

P1313

P1314

P1315

PO341

I have read that the O2 sensor can cause missfires in one bank of cylinders...Any help? Thanks

O2 sensors do not cause misfires.

P0300 Misfire Damaging to Catalytic Converter

P0301 Misfire, Cylinder 1, Damaging to Catalytic Converter

P0302 Misfire, Cylinder 2, Damaging to Catalytic Converter

P0303 Misfire, Cylinder 3, Damaging to Catalytic Converter

P1313 Misfire, Cylinder 1, Emission Relevant

P1314 Misfire, Cylinder 2, Emission Relevant

P1315 Misfire, Cylinder 3, Emission Relevant

P1319 Misfire, Emission Relevant

P0341 Camshaft Position Sensor 1 - Signal Implausible, Short to Ground, Short to B+

Looks to me like you may have a cam position sensor problem.

All your faults are on bank one of the engine (one side).

Further investigation is warranted - and the car should not be driven (or run) as it is now - or more damage may be done.

I swapped the cam position sensors from one bank to the other. (left to right and right to left side)

Now I have

P0300

P0301

P0302

P0303

P0341

P01313

[suburban99]

The more I read the more I think my problem is a variocam actuator.

Car does rattle a slight bit when rpm goes up, but smooths out as RPM increases.

My understanding is that the timing is advanced all the time when the variocam solenoid screws up...as they need to

have oil pressure from the solenoid to shift the timing chain to retard the timing.

I also understand that it can be replaced without removing the engine...anyone ever done one? Thanks

[White987S]

suburban99, did you get a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI)?

No I did not. Car was bought as a project.

I figured if I bought an old chevy I would be working on it too.

Car was well priced.

Good for you. Sounds like you can turn your own wrentches. I only know how to turn the ignition key. :)

[suburban99]

I checked the solenoid for the right side variocam. Ohmed out the coil...16 ohms.

I think the coil is ok. I guess it could be a wiring problem with the solenoid or the sensor.

Any common places for these wires to get pinched? Thanks

[1schoir]

...

Another question may be related or not...while I was fixing the spoiler switch I noticed that the bottom

row of relays above the fusepanel does not have any relays in it. As well the heater fan does not work.

The defrost switch is illuminated all the time so I thought maybe the countdown relay was missing? (just a guess)

Do you know where to get a picture of the relay tray with their intended functions?

...

The bottom row of relays above the fuse panel is supposed to be empty. At least that's the way it comes from the factory.

Here is a photo that was posted by "Tool Pants" in another thread:

I also highly recommend the Bentley Manual.

Regards, Maurice.

[suburban99]

Thanks, I received my Bentley last night.

Will ohm out pin 52 (camshaft adjustment) of the ecm to the solenoid plug.

Will also ohm out pins for the camshaft sensor on Bank 1

[1schoir]

Thanks, I received my Bentley last night.

Will ohm out pin 52 (camshaft adjustment) of the ecm to the solenoid plug.

Will also ohm out pins for the camshaft sensor on Bank 1

If you are able to locate the source of the cause for the CEL, could you do a write-up on what you specifically did (maybe with some photos) so that others who run into the code you encountered can benefit from your experience? :lightbulb:

Regards, Maurice.

[suburban99]

Checked wiring for the Variacam solenoid. Pin 52 of the ecm to Plug for sensor is Ok.

Pin 54 on ecm to other wire on plug for sensor...ok

Solenoid checks out ok...could solenoid still be the problem..sticky?