Error P1502 2000 Boxster S

[Schnell Gelb]

Bob, Suggest you ask within the Porsche community for a referral to local Pcar Indies in Tennessee . The repair work is often the easier part of the task.The diagnosis based on years of experience with these cars is the valuable component - as you almost discovered with the throttle body nonsense.

Someone may be able to confirm if a generic or VW/Audi relay is a good substitute,if indeed the relay is defective.

Good Luck and let us know the outcome?

[pcsbob]

Sorry for the abnormally slow response.  Covid, and family issues have kept me from dealing with this problem.  It is now a year from my last post and I am still dealing with this issue 

 

I took the car to Porsche of Nashville last fall.  They tested the throttle body, wiring, etc.  They say it could be the DME.  Replacement costs are in the multiple thousands.

 

I have read about so many owners who have experienced this problem.  Solutions seem to the problem seem to be the exception.  Replacement of parts that don't fix the problem seem to be the norm. I only recall seeing one example where the DME seemed to be a part of getting the vehicles back on the road.

 

It is my understanding that Porsche had now awarded the 986 "classic car" designation.  Is there a chance that PCNA would take up the issue and offer direction and support to owners?

.

 

[JFP in PA]

Considering that PCNA had to be the target of a class action law suit to acknowledge the IMS issue, which could result in catastrophic engine failures, I seriously doubt they would respond to this or several other known issues.

 

 

Try cleaning the throttle jacking unit and the throttle body well with carburetor or fuel injector cleaner.

If that does not clear the problem you will likely need to replace the throttle jacking unit.  If that doesn’t do it, it may be the DME.

[pcsbob]

 

Thank you for the reply

 

The throttle body has been cleaned.    Two other throttle bodies were  installed on the vehicle.  The issue did not change. 

 

 Many owners,  their dealers and independent shops have attempted to diagnosis this issue by checking the vehicles systems,  replacing parts and then finally trying to "guess" what the issue could be.  An example of this is the cycling of the ignition switch. I bet that one is not in the Porsche repair manual.  

I am well aware of the IMS issue.  I cant imagine the frustration and expenses so many owners have dealt with in past years due to that one. 

 

I have had several Porsches over the years; Boxsters, Caymans and 911s.  I am now concerned that my inexperience may result in some future mistake should I purchase a vehicle that has some of these issues.  Would you mind sharing with me the other  "known issues" .  

 

 

[JFP in PA]

7 hours ago, pcsbob said:

 

I have had several Porsches over the years; Boxsters, Caymans and 911s.  I am now concerned that my inexperience may result in some future mistake should I purchase a vehicle that has some of these issues.  Would you mind sharing with me the other  "known issues" .  

 

 

Depends upon how much time you have until you retire; the potential list is nearly endless:  IMS, RMS, cracked cylinder heads, D-chunking, slipped cylinder liners, AOS, secondary air injection system, fuel pumps, battery cables, snapped oil pump drive, convertible top problems, second gear detent on six speeds, water getting to central locking/alarm computer, headlight wiring harness insulation falling off, power seat control issues, seat belt buckles, water pumps, etc., etc...............................I think you get the general idea, but a google search of known Boxster problems will keep you occupied for some time. 😉

 

And to be completely fair, Porsche is no worse than any other brand in this department; they all have issues, some little ones, others not so much.

[mikefocke]

Recall we are talking about cars that are ~20 years old now. Maintenance history? Maintainer experience? Maintainer tools and documentation? Multiple owners? Storage conditions? Etc.

 

And on a forum, you seldom see postings from those that don't have any problems. True of any make and model.

 

And JFP sees more and more difficult problems than an individual would ever see.

[JFP in PA]

Shops tend to function like the distillation process; very few cars come in to tell us everything is fine, and the owners have absolutely no problems 😉

 

Roseann Rosannadanna was correct, "...'if it's not one thing, it's another"...it's always somethin'."

 

[Hilmar007]

I had the exact same problem as described by many, clean the TB, replaced the MAF for a new one and no luck. Today, I just followed the suggestion of turning the ignition on and off several times in a quickly fashion, I probably did it some 15 times and then I head a click that seemed from the back of the car, perhaps the throttle body and the Bingo!!! The car came back to normal, I am getting full revs now. It may be too early to say since I still need to test drive it for a few days but it is very promising and seems to be in line with the possible solution mentioned  by Nick2508. I am very happy now but I still need to make sure that the issue will not come back. Will report later.

[Schnell Gelb]

Also consider trying the simplest/cheapest things -check battery condition and terminal connections. Replace the notorious ignition switch?

[EvergreenBoxster]

Hats off to Nick2508.

 

Had a battery go bad in my 2000 Boxster S. Replaced it and the car immediately went into limp mode. Checked the codes and it indicated a 1502. Cleared the code and the car ran fine. Restarted the car and it went into limp mode again. Read up on this problem here and was very skeptical that a dead battery was suddenly the cause of a bad throttle body. Pulled the throttle body and inspected it.  It was amazingly dirty for 50k. Cleaned it as well as insides of the manifolds, checked all the wiring, reinstalled. On start went into limp mode again and spit out a 1502.

 

So…..Inserted the key into the ignition switch, slowly and methodically turned it on and off 20 times. Left it on for 1 minute and turned further to start the engine. It started fine, revs clean and is no longer coding. Took it out for a spin and its running great, no problem whatsoever.

 

While I had her opened up I also replaced the secondary air pump which was making a high pitched squeal as if the bearings were going. Restarted again, no problems and no codes. Running great.

 

Toby

 

 

[Schnell Gelb]

Since the TB was so dirty, suggest inspecting and probably cleaning the MAF .