Car will not lock with key removed

[shalong]

Hi All,

Strange one here that been happening on my 01 Boxster with 140k for about 6 months now. Here are the symptoms. If anyone has a clue to what's going on, I'm desperate! All started happening at the same time.

1) Keys will not lock door or open trunks. Battery on both fobs are good. When depressed the red indicator light on the top of the dash blinks leading me to believe that the signal between key and car is good, but ignored.

2)When key is removed from ignition, the car 'goes dead'...meaning no interior lights, none of the switches on the console (except headlights) work...including the door lock switch and trunk releases.

3)The front trunk release (electric type, not mechanical) does not work at all. To test the servo to the front trunk, I connected leads from the battery to the unconnected servo and it worked. I would think that this rules out a bar servo.

So, I haven't been able to lock my car or use the front trunk switch since this started. Before I started buying parts (front servos, switches, ignition systems, Main computer, etc) I wanted to see if anybody could help me out. Of course I'll be happy to go into detail about other aspects if necessary to diagnose!

Thanks for your help!!

[RFM]

I would start with the electrical part of the ignition switch, this part creates all sorts of undefined problems after time. The switch is not expensive and easy to replace, the how to can be found by using the search button on top of the pages.

[flyingpenguin]

http://www.renntech.org/forums/tutorials/article/24-996-ignition-switch-replace-just-the-switch-with-pictures/

[kbrandsma]

+ 1 for ignition switch. I've done about four replacements and prefer to also take off the driver's side vent. Some remove the driver's seat for better access as well and slide an ice chest next to the driver's side door sill to have a continued support area to lay on. Follow Flyingpenguin's link in post #3 above. Great DIY!

KBrandsma

[shalong]

Thanks all for the recommendation. My new switch arrived this weekend and I'll try the replacement in the next day or so. I'll be sure to update this post with the results. Hopefully it will be good news!

[shalong]

I replaced the ignition switch (the switch and not the entire metal lock) and it did not solve my problems. I'll try to describe again some of my issues...

- When the key is removed, the interior lights immediately turn off. They used to stay on for a minute or so and then dim off.

- When the key is removed, the back trunk does not open. It used to release, at least for a bit when the key was out.

- The front trunk does not release at all. I've tested the servo and it appears to be good.

- The key remote does not locak the doors or open trunks. When the key is in and remote buttons are pressed, there is a light on the top of the dash close to the windshield that blinks leading me to think that there is communication between the key and the car.

- When the key is removed, the windows do not work. They used to continue to work for a bit after the key is removed.

- When the key is removed, the door lock on the dash does not work. This used to lock the doors with key removed.

It's like the car is in a 'security mode' that prevents things from working if the key is not in the ignition. Again, any thoguhts are appreciated!

Thanks,

Shane

[binger]

What changed before that 6 month period when everything worked? Did you change the battery in the car or add any aftermarket stuff? Do you have access to durametric scan tool? I would scan to see if you have any codes that point you in a better direction. I could be something in the body control module is not communicating.

[shalong]

That's also one of the strange things...Not too much was done to the car previous to this taking place. I think I replaced the soft top before this occuring (I can't remember the sequence) but after this showing up I had the car in for a clutch replacement. In an effort to fix this problem, the battery was replaced..but that was not a solution either. At that time, my mechanic used the Porsche scan tool to help me diagnose. As I recal, he said there was a fault with the front trunk latch. Taking that knowledge, I went out trying to determine if it were broken. It didn't seem so to me. Has anyone ever heard of a trunk latch causing a security mode in the boxster?

I suppose I could take it back and have him run a diagonistic again. I was just hoping to try and figure this out amongst us :) That will of course, be my last resort!

[binger]

It could If the trunk latch has an open circuit,short to + or short to ground. It could cause issue with the locking and security system. I would start looking at the switch to prove its working correctly. Then check the connectors and the wiring to start.

[Hilux2400]

It could If the trunk latch has an open circuit,short to + or short to ground. It could cause issue with the locking and security system. I would start looking at the switch to prove its working correctly. Then check the connectors and the wiring to start.

I think this is a good start as the latch does not work at all. Check the fuse that controls the front latch. If it blown replace it and see if it blows when the front latch is operated. Check the wiring to the front latch for a short or continuity.

[shalong]

I focused my work on the electronic switch that controls the front trunk servo. After removing the plate by the door threshhold, I exposed two connectors, a white one for the front trunk and black one for the rear trunk. Both looked idential except for the color. The wires to the connectors looked in good shape so I wanted to check the switch by changing the connectors to see what happened.

First I put the black (rear) on the front trunk switch and tested. Nothing, so I disconected it.

next I put the white (front) on the rear switch and tested. To my amazement, it opened the rear trunk.

So, to recap, either connecter when attahed to the rear switch will open the rear, and neither connecter does anything when connected to the front trunk switch.

I would not thiink this is the way this works, but...maybe. Can someone confirm that this is true?

THANKS!!!