IMS? Or Ignition Switch-Related?

[piccia]

Folks,

Duplicating here and on Rennlist. Researched a ton this weekend and realized I need to replace my ignition switch ('02 996 Targa). However, I now also fear an IMS failure is upon me.

Had a 'spirited' drive this weekend while running late to an appointment. Restarting the car I had a good blue smoke bellow (has happened before after spirited driving - but always went away immediately). It was then I noticed my headlights and wipers not working (ignition switch). Got home ok and then figured out with manipulating the key in ignition I could get the lights, etc. working.

However, when I started the car Sun. to try to figure out a Targa roof alignment problem (earlier post) I heard 'crunching' mechanical sound. It went away after 2-3 seconds and car drives normally. This morning, same thing.

Collective wisdom of this board says??? Could it be the lack of return 'spring' from the ignition switch (like cranking a car that's already running)? Or am I hosed with IMS?

Thanks in advance,

Piccia

[tanny02996]

Obviously difficult to assess from here, but if it were me, I would probably get the codes read and report the specific codes back to the board here. My understanding is that IMS failures can be preceded/foreshadowed by camshaft deviation codes.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

-tanny02

[1schoir]

Folks,

Duplicating here and on Rennlist. Researched a ton this weekend and realized I need to replace my ignition switch ('02 996 Targa). However, I now also fear an IMS failure is upon me.

Had a 'spirited' drive this weekend while running late to an appointment. Restarting the car I had a good blue smoke bellow (has happened before after spirited driving - but always went away immediately). It was then I noticed my headlights and wipers not working (ignition switch). Got home ok and then figured out with manipulating the key in ignition I could get the lights, etc. working.

However, when I started the car Sun. to try to figure out a Targa roof alignment problem (earlier post) I heard 'crunching' mechanical sound. It went away after 2-3 seconds and car drives normally. This morning, same thing.

Collective wisdom of this board says??? Could it be the lack of return 'spring' from the ignition switch (like cranking a car that's already running)? Or am I hosed with IMS?

Thanks in advance,

Piccia

While that 2 or 3 second "crunching" sound could very well be the Bendix in the starter not retracting immediately after spinning the flywheel, it is much better to err on the side of caution.

Before starting the car again, you might narrow down the possibilities of whether that noise had any relation to an IMS impending failure by removing, cutting apart, and inspecting the oil filter.

Do a search here for photos of what a suspected IMS failure looks like in terms of the metal debris in the oil filter.

Regards, Maurice.