01 C4 Not Starting?

[*fill-up*]

2001 911 C4 Cabrio, 6spd, 111k

Hey guys, I bought this car a couple weeks ago and love it! You guys helped me fix alot of my small problems but now I have a pretty big one. Ever since I got the car it would take a few cranks to start except when I would start it after 3+ Hours, then it would fire up on first crank. I replaced the battery, but with a much smaller one of my 08 Rabbit, and the problem was still there. But the car still started up without a problem, and yesturday it finally gave out. I was pulling out of a driveway and the car wouldnt start, just kept cranking and cranking, so I ended up having my girlfriend push me backwards and I popped the car into reverse and let go of the clutch and it started right up.

So after that I went to the dealership I bought the car from and turned it of and tried to start it there, same problem, just kept cranking with no start. So they put a jumper box on it and it kept cranking and then somekind of smoke came from the engine bay so we stopped jumping it and just did the reverse gear start again.

So bottom line is, do I need to replace the battery or starter? I have searched all starting threads and only found 2 that helped, but weren't exactly like my problem.

Edited May 23, 2010 by *fill-up*

[Loren]

Time to put a Durametric, PST2 or PIWIS tester on the car and see what is going on.

Did you get a PPI - did someone verify the car was in good shape before you bought it?

[txhokie4life]

I'm surprised the dealership didn't run codes....

The smoke might have been your starter motor burning up.

Like Loren said == get some diagnostic codes and lets see what it might be complaining about.

mike

[juniinc]

The starter is most likely toasted.

[*fill-up*]

The only two codes that come up are two o2 sensor codes. Do you think replacing the battery will do any good? Or should I just replace the starter?

[txhokie4life]

If the Starter turned the engine over -- than it is probably fine (well until the dealership smoked it if that was what the smoke was)

but it may still be ok.

Can you jump start the car? If not -- it is not the battery.

On other cars I have seen the starter be fine, the battery be fine, and even the starter solenoid be good (these I believe are

embedded into the boxster starter) - but the wiring be bad. however the symptom is no cranking at all.

The thing I find interesting is that cranking works, but does not start, however

push starting works -- this implies you are getting fuel and spark (eventually)

Is there something different between the initial crank and actually running..... maybe some sensor bad?

But I would have expected other codes.

Someone more knowledgable will have to chime in here.

m

[*fill-up*]

Well the only other thing I can think of is my security system, sometimes it acts up and the little red light on the unlock bottom stays red and the car honks every couple of minutes while driving

[Loren]

Well the only other thing I can think of is my security system, sometimes it acts up and the little red light on the unlock bottom stays red and the car honks every couple of minutes while driving

Definitely - It is time to put a Durametric, PST2 or PIWIS tester on the car and see what is going on.

[juniinc]

would get the code read again as Loren suggested.

pretty weird, how your security system is not acting up only when push started,,,

Do u have any other electrical malfuctioning or is your ignition + key wiggly at all?

Maybe too late since the dealer could've smoked your starter now?

This is what I would do,,,

leave the key in RUN position while clutch is depressed, manually jump the starter solenoid prong,,,

Edited May 23, 2010 by juniinc

[txhokie4life]

Lets assume it is the IMMOB:

1) With an IMMOB issue does the engine even crank? I don't think so.

2) Will it be able to be push started? I think I read somewhere it can.

So if I am wrong on #1, than you might be on to something.

If you pull the drivers seat -- you can see the Immob -- you could check to see if it has ever been wet

and if the connections are good and not corroded.

mike

[*fill-up*]

Hey guys, I had a shop replace the starter and the car starts fine now