2002 Boxster turns over, will not start, all warning lights come on

[joewmarino]

I've searched around and found bits and pieces of this issue but not exactly what I have. If I have missed something and someone has a link I apologize ahead and please post it here.

I have been driving the car all summer, with no issues at all. Have had it in the garage for a little over a week because the weather was horrendous. Went to take it out the other morning and it will not start. The engine cranks, sounds like the fuel pump is working and i can definitely smell gas if i keep turning it, but it never catches at all. Battery is only a couple of years old and seems to be cranking strongly, but i threw it on the charger just to be sure and still no change. The other odd thing i noticed was that ALL (every single warning light) of the warning lights come on when i turn the key, and they stay on. I tried another key thinking it might be a bad key fob and same thing.

I wouldn't mind having a shop look at it but i can't even get the thing out of my garage so I am at the DIY phase, which is fine, but I have no idea where to even start with this. As my brother loves to constantly remind me "i don't have a computer in my 914, just a distributor, some plugs and a fuel pump"...yeah yeah yeah.

****update****

So after reading my own post and beating my head on a wall repeatedly, I realized I had not locked or unlocked the car in several weeks. On a hunch I went and locked it using the fob, and then unlocked it again, got in the car and it started!! Did I just get lucky or is there an issue with the immobilizer system that would cause this? I know there is a standby mode for it, but I have garaged the car for long periods (on a trickle charger though) without this happening.

Edited October 8, 2011 by joewmarino

[harryrcb]

I've searched around and found bits and pieces of this issue but not exactly what I have. If I have missed something and someone has a link I apologize ahead and please post it here.

I have been driving the car all summer, with no issues at all. Have had it in the garage for a little over a week because the weather was horrendous. Went to take it out the other morning and it will not start. The engine cranks, sounds like the fuel pump is working and i can definitely smell gas if i keep turning it, but it never catches at all. Battery is only a couple of years old and seems to be cranking strongly, but i threw it on the charger just to be sure and still no change. The other odd thing i noticed was that ALL (every single warning light) of the warning lights come on when i turn the key, and they stay on. I tried another key thinking it might be a bad key fob and same thing.

I wouldn't mind having a shop look at it but i can't even get the thing out of my garage so I am at the DIY phase, which is fine, but I have no idea where to even start with this. As my brother loves to constantly remind me "i don't have a computer in my 914, just a distributor, some plugs and a fuel pump"...yeah yeah yeah.

****update****

So after reading my own post and beating my head on a wall repeatedly, I realized I had not locked or unlocked the car in several weeks. On a hunch I went and locked it using the fob, and then unlocked it again, got in the car and it started!! Did I just get lucky or is there an issue with the immobilizer system that would cause this? I know there is a standby mode for it, but I have garaged the car for long periods (on a trickle charger though) without this happening.

I noticed when batteries sit for a week and even a 2 yr old battery can sulfate the plates which acts like a short in the electronics. the same thing happened to me a week or so ago. the battery sulfated and screwed up the electrical system all lights stayed on. New battery problem went away. could also be dampness inside your car will mess with alarm system which is tied in with your immobilizer. Easy to check take out seat unplug the alarm system look for corossion on contacts (does not have to be much) if you have any daubts clean it and put in back, if the carpet around that area is damp then clean out your convertible top drains, dry out your carpet and keep those clean (most people don't know they are there)