98 boxster won't crank

[zman1858]

98 boxster..the other day the interior lights were flashing and a loud humming from inside the car. Pulled over and shut it off and it won't crank back up.. After a hour, it started back up and ran fine for 5 days, Then it did the same thing again. Replaced the ignition switch....no cranking....looking under the driver seat, it was wet. The first time it won't crank, it rained that day. It also rain very hard the second time. I took the M535 brain box apart and it didn't look pretty. That was were the humming was coming from. The central lock light on the dash won't light up, the passager door won't lock. I clean the electronic board with contact cleaner and still nothing. When you turn the key, nothing is going to the starter. All other electrical things work fine. tried jump starting, nothing. Will the M535 keep the car from cranking. Help.....

Edited November 6, 2010 by zman1858

[juniinc]

Yes, it will.

I'm hoping, it isn't fried cuz they can be $$$$.

Try to dry it more also check the fuse,,,good luck

[zman1858]

dried the hell oout of it with hairdryer.....nothing the onlt fuse I found was in the main fuse box and the one one the unit...anywhere to look...does the dealer have to program new one

Edited November 6, 2010 by zman1858

[pk2]

dried the hell oout of it with hairdryer.....nothing the onlt fuse I found was in the main fuse box and the one one the unit...anywhere to look...does the dealer have to program new one

Some Indies can program them, and if they can, they'll set you up with a new one for a fraction of the price. By the way you did all the right things except you didn't do it soon enough. I think I's gone (especially if you saw rust or white fuzz inside).

My ad vice is this:

- find and indi that can provide you with a new one and program it (match it to your car, ignition , etc.) with a a ps2 or whatever.

-clean the drains on either side of your engine hatch and up by the battery with a coathanger and compressed air.

-Make sure the lining around the back drains is intact (I think Maurice has a good dyi on this).

-This gets controversial (love to hear why)but I know It' saved my as_ many times: Drill a couple 1/2 holes right behind the brain and all around it if you want.. Debur and prime the crap out of them, top and bottom. You will never have to worry about a leak again.

-close it up and blast all the seals (since you don't have to worry a leak any more if you have one any more (above). Probably won't find it/them, most likely leak though is the clog drains.

The brain will take about 2 days underwater (remarkably) but if you don't nab it and do what you did after that it's gone.

Regards, PK

[zman1858]

Thanks for the input....time to look for a new brain....off to see the wiz of OZ....I will be drilling holes...nice idea....

[Vigor]

I had a similar problem. Had to buy immobilizer from Porsche for ~$340 plus $129 for an hour (programming)

Let us know how it all turns out

[zman1858]

From what I have read, the unit under the driver, the M535 unit is what got wet. Is this the the immobilizer. And where is the brain. I can get a M535 from Pel Parts for 400.00. Will it need to be programmed. Will the car run before it is programmed. I hate to spend 600.00 - 700.00 for a M535 and a brain and a key fob if I don't have to. Am I missing something here. Need a little help to try and save some money.....Thanks

Edited November 9, 2010 by zman1858

[Vigor]

From what I have read, the unit under the driver, the M535 unit is what got wet. Is this the the immobilizer. And where is the brain. I can get a M535 from Pel Parts for 400.00. Will it need to be programmed. Will the car run before it is programmed. I hate to spend 600.00 - 700.00 for a M535 and a brain and a key fob if I don't have to. Am I missing something here. Need a little help to try and save some money.....Thanks

Yes, that is the immobilizer under the drivers seat. You can't drive it until its programmed. You can get a new immobilizer from Porsche for $340. I tried saving money by buying a used immobilizer only to have the Porsche tell me that used ones can't be programmed. It will cost about $120 for the programming.