1999 996 addiction

[dgjks6]

Hello all. I know this is supposed to be a "technical forum" with specific questions and answers, but I was hoping this would be a good place to chronicle my repairs and problems as I go and I will ask questions as I go and would welcome answers/input/comments. If this is the wrong place for a post like this let me know. I have a thick skin, so no hard feelings. This first post may be a little long, sorry.

First lets go to how all of this started.

I have more kids than I really need, and they are all starting to drive. When the first one turned 16 I gave her my 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix and bought a CPO 2008 535xi. This fall she is taking it to college this fall and we needed another car for my son. The BMW now has 110K on it and is almost worthless on a trade or sale so I thought I would give it to my son and get a new car. I set a budget of $30,000 and made the requirements that the car have 4 seats and AWD for my steep driveway and winters here in Ohio. So I thought a 911 AWD would fit the bill perfectly. I spent months searching the internet looking for the perfect car and my wife go annoyed that I was always on the net searching, knowing I would never pull the trigger. This is what showed up at my work for a fathers day gift

She pain $22,995 plus and another $3000 in shipping, taxes, and dealer made up charges. Got to love used car salesmen. He told her the car was mint and needed nothing. It showed up at work with the usual dents and scratches and 2 quarts low on oil. That was a week ago.

Here's the good.

Engine and transmission seem perfect, though either I am weakling or out of shape, or the clutch is really stiff.

After 1 week and 400 miles, here's my list of problems to repair, so any advice would be appreciated. I will try to keep this list updated as I go.

1 - Passenger heated seat worked one time, heated the seat and had the nifty red or yellow light go on. Now. Nada.

2 - Windshield washer fluid does not work. I tried to use it, the low warning light came on, I refilled the bottle, and no joy.

3 - Took my son to see Superman and came out in a torrential rain. Checked the back seats when I got home. A little water on the passenger side and a bucket on the driver's side. Now the carpets and semi pulled up and I am still trying to dry the rubber on the back. The seal around the rear quarter windows are shot, so I ordered some. Anything else to check?

4 - Passenger power seat works except the rear bottom won't raise or lower. Front goes fine.

5 - still not sure what this is

Any thoughts would be appreciated, and I will probably keep posting my trials and tribulations as I go as long as no one here minds.

[Silver_TT]

Regarding #1:

Maurice has some good info here: http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/22767-heated-seats-will-not-work/

Regarding #2:

Might want to look at your washer fluid pump.

Regarding #3:

Be sure all your drains are clear and not obstructed.

Regarding #4:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/39553-power-driver-seat/

Edited June 23, 2013 by Silver_TT

[alw911@ashburnva.net]

# 5 looks like the cover for the hardtop latch. Part number 996-563-551-01c

[dgjks6]

Wow. Thanks guys. I think I got my work cut out.

I thought this was the hardtop latch cover

Is there more than 1 latch?

[alw911@ashburnva.net]

Based on your pic, it looks extremely close to the plastic cover that covers the center latch on the hard top on my 01 996. The part number is what is molded into the inside of the part. look at this thread. It has a pic if the part. http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-forum/676641-hardtop-retrofit-kit-install-2.html

[dgjks6]

Just an update

1 - heated seats - read the post, thanks for the info. Will get to it

2 - not tackled yet

3 - leaking roof. I took the seats out and dries the carpet. Passenger side was dry. Driver side, though, was wet under the driver's seat also. I looked at the seals around the rear quarter window and there was a big hole. I replaced these today and the car got significantly quieter with the top up. Now that I see they are supposed to be "furry" I am going to replace the other side also.

Where are the drains to clean?

Where else can I check for the front driver side getting wet?

I think I am going to get good at taking out the seats.

4 - yep, the problem was the cable. I ordered a new one.

5 - thanks

Now another couple questions:

6 - Engine idles "rough". It seems to surge a little at idle but only a few rpm's. Is this normal? Does a flat six idle a little rough compared to the BMW straight six? Porsche dealer can't get me in for a couple weeks.

7 - Speedometer us 5mph fast. This is compared to GPS on my phone. Is there a way to calibrate it?

Oh, and as an aside, I taught (am teaching) my son to drive a stick.

And lastly, this is something I never expected, but do people treat you guys differently for driving a 911? I have been cut off and tail gaited more times in the last week than in my entire life.

[Silver_TT]

Here are the drains

6 - you might consider cleaning the throttle body

7 - this is normal

[Silver_TT]

I think I am going to get good at taking out the seats.

One last thing to note is that for most of these jobs you don't need to actually take the seat out (which saves the trouble, plus you won't have to worry about the airbag light being tripped, etc). If I recall there are 4 torx screws that hold the seat in, and once these are unscrewed you can simply lean the seat back and prop it up so you can work under it.

[RFM]

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/7791-cautionary-warning-heads-up-for-cab-owners/ these are the water drains from the 996 convertible, the schedule of Silver TT is incorrect (coupe with sunroof)

[Silver_TT]

Ahh, missed that this was a convertible. Thanks RFM!

[dgjks6]

You guys have been a huge help. Got stuck in a rain storm this afternoon so decided to try to clean drains. In process of doing the back. In the front I looked at the pic but can find anything. Can some one help and point out the drain?

front drivers side

passenger side