Ignition Delay

[otto]

I am experiencing a starter delay with my 2003 Boxster S 6 speed. Key turns normally from O through start. Emergency brake is on, clutch is depressed, and shifter is in neutral. Battery is new. All my idiot lights come on. Sometimes it will start immediately as normal. Other times have to turn key to off position then try again. Sometimes have to hold switch in start postion 10-15 seconds. Car will always start but sometimes takes as many as 5 trys. I have replaced the electical portion of the ignition switch and continue to have the same problem. Any ideas

[White987S]

Clutch microswitch??

Maybe zip tie your micro switch (so it's fully depressed), and by-pass it. If this improve, then you know the switch needs to be replaced.

Edited January 31, 2013 by White987S

[logray]

Does it seem like it is trying to crank or does it just sit there and lights flicker and stuff.

[otto]

It just sits there. All lights come on same as turning key to Aux position but when turn further to start engine there is a delay which sometimes is only a second or two. No flashing lights. Sometimes the delay is 10 seconds or more and if it doesn't start at this point I start over. Remove the key, put the key back in ignition, check emergency brake on, depress clutch all the way then turn key again. As it goes through aux position all warning lights come on and continue turning key to start position then it might start immediately or it delay's again and might start after a few seconds or maybe not and then repeat again after 10-15 seconds. Sometimes I go through this procedure 4-5 times before it starts but it always eventually starts. Everything else works fine in the car. It's just this inconsistant delay. Also, I purchased this car second hand and it only came with one key so I don't have a second one to try.

[otto]

To White987S,

I'm not very bright when it comes to electrical stuff. OK, I know how to zip tie the clutch micro Switch and I assume that in order to bypass the switch I would just disconnect the two wires to the switch and runner a jumper between them. Is this correct??

[White987S]

To White987S,

I'm not very bright when it comes to electrical stuff. OK, I know how to zip tie the clutch micro Switch and I assume that in order to bypass the switch I would just disconnect the two wires to the switch and runner a jumper between them. Is this correct??

Not sure, Otto. Sounds right. I suspect the micro switch is failing, so maybe zip tying it will depress it enough to make the difference.

And you're sure the recently replaced ignition parts is not the issue? The ignition is a weak spot (wear item) in the 986/996.

With the new battery, are you sure you have a good ground strap and connection?

Lastly, how do we eliminate the chance that it's not the starter??

Edited February 1, 2013 by White987S

[otto]

Now I'm not sure that zip tying the micro switch is correct. The way the switch works if I zip tie it will be the same as if the clutch is not depressed. The plunger on the switch moves outward when the clutch is depressed and goes all the way out before the clutch pedal hits the bottom.

No I'm not certain the recently replaced electrical portion of the ignition switch is the issue. All I know is that it acts the same as before it was replaced.

I assume the battery ground is good. No other issues with car electrical systems.

Not sure about the starter other than the fact that it always starts.

It's just a delay issue like sometype of communication error.

I'm going to take out the seat and check the fuse on the immobilizer.

[1schoir]

If you are going to take out the seat, be careful not to unplug the connection under the seat or you will set off the airbag light, which can then only be reset with a PST2, PIWIS or Durametric. You can access the immobilizer by just unbolting the 4 bolts on the seat rails and then leaning back the seat by placing a block under the seat frame.

While you are checking the immobilizer, verify that there is no water or moisture under, around or inside the immobilizer and any corrosion on the circuit board. Boxsters are notorious for clogged drains and resultant moisture/water migrating to the immobilizer.

Since the clutch interlock switch operates by allowing the ignition to fire only when the plunger is fully released (i.e., with the clutch pedal all the way down), you cannot zip tie it to get the desired effect. You can, as you suggested, pull out the two wires and jumper them together. You are then bypassing the switch, and that will have the same effect as no switch at all, meaning that the connection is "on" all the time. Just be careful that the car is NOT in gear when you try to start it or the car will lurch forward.

Regards, Maurice.

[otto]

Thanks Maurice,

The fuse in the immobilizer is fine. It was a pain in the ... to get the seat out but all went well. No moisture in or around the immobilizer. I'll try bypassing the clutch switch tomorrow.

[otto]

OK, I bypassed the clutch micro-switch and the beast starts immediately without any delay. I have ordered the part and hopefully problem solved

[White987S]

OK, I bypassed the clutch micro-switch and the beast starts immediately without any delay. I have ordered the part and hopefully problem solved

Rock on. Good job! Did you order the part from Sunset? Great service. Great pricing.

[1schoir]

:thumbup: :cheers: :thumbup:

Thanks for the update!

Regards, Maurice.