987S Sometimes Won't Crank

[spycarrussell]

Hey, searched for discussions on this topic but couldn't find anthing so here goes.

My 2006 987S with 13k miles has illustrated an intermittant starting problem since nearly new, but now is causing a real headache. Sometimes when it was new (and warm) it required several attempts at turning the key to get it to start. It was either silent or it would start fine. It did this with only a couple of thousand miles on the clock but eventually went away--the dealer couldn't make it occur to diagnose any problem.

Now, however, it has started making one semi-loud click somethimes, and trying again nearly always gets it to crank and start fine. Other times it starts perfectly. The sound seems to come from the front of the car, so I get the impression that it is a relay and NOT the starter.

I keep the battery on a Battery Tender because I don't use the car on a regular basis, so the voltage is presumably fine. When the car DOES start, the engine turns over with gusto, suggesting the battery is not the culprit. Oh, the battery is only about 1 year old also.

Any chance there is a intermittant problem with a starting relay? Where is it located in the 987S Boxster?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

Edited August 25, 2013 by spycarrussell

[Ahsai]

If it's a stick shift, have you checked the clutch switch? Also, how about the ignition switch?

Edited August 25, 2013 by Ahsai

[spycarrussell]

If it's a stick shift, have you checked the clutch switch?

Ahsai,

When the car fails to start I can hear what sounds like a relay trying to engage from what I think is the front of the car and without doing anythingj else but turning the key off and back on, the car starts perfectly. I believe the clutch switch failing would keep the car silent so it's unlkely the culprit, but thanks for your input.

[Ahsai]

I could be wrong but my impression is the start lock relay is at the left side of the rear trunk.

[spycarrussell]

I could be wrong but my impression is the start lock relay is at the left side of the rear trunk.

Ahsai,

Again, thanks for your input but there is a click (where I think the starter relay is) coming from the front of the car when the car doesn't start.

Russell