various 996 repairs

[dgjks6]

OK here goes. 1999 911 Carrera 4 Cab.

Had the car since June. Normally I put about 25-30K miles per year on a car. The Porsche has gotten about 5K so far. Various problems such as a deer and a bad IMS needing a rebuild. So now car is back and runs perfect. Now I am left with a million little things to do to get it right and I thought I would chronicle what needs done. I have researched most of the DIY's here so I know for the most part what to do. But any help is always appreciated. I am already $40K into this adventure so there are budget constraints, meaning I don't want to invest another $10K if I don't have to.

List of things that NEED done.

Nothing

List of things that should be done.

1 - second key - I only have one key with a bad remote. I manually lock and unlock the doors.

2 - both visors are missing the flaps so they need replaced

3 - seat belt warning chime - I haven't figured this one yet. It usually never works, but occ the light and the chime sound when I unbuckle the seat belt (or when the temp is below freezing it works all the time)

4 - light behind the voltmeter gauge - again only works when below freezing

5 - ignition switch - again a below freezing problem, but when it is cold the key is hard to turn and the electrics stay on after the key is removed

6 - seats - the leather is perfect but 3 of the 4 levers look like this

I bought a used seat and took it apart to see how hard it would be to recover and I don't really want to spend $1000 to fix this

7 - headlights don't match. After the deer I got a new passenger headlight which is crystal clear. the driver one I have polished and restored but it is still yellow

8 - fix passenger air bag - the cover sticks out a lot

9 - fix this dent on the trunk - Body shop wanted $600 so I bought another used rear deck lid and just going to replace, but then the car will say Carrera instead of Carrera 4

10 - repaint/replace the trunk/hood levers and the door handle and other worn silver parts. I think I am going to get a set of black levers from a boxster

11 - fix drivers seat power up/down

12 - passenger heated seat works every third time I get in the car - never flashes - it either works or it doesn't

13 - replace rear roll bar cover piece - parts od the plastic cracked

14 - get a new ashtray - this one won't close

Things I want to do

1 - remove CD changer and put in a shelf

2 - install Bluetooth

3 - new wheels - or refinish mine

4 - upgrade to HID headlights

Well that is all for now. I am sure the list will get longer.

[Hilux2400]

I did the same job for the CD storage. A shelf is much more use and the changer comes out very easily

[dgjks6]

I did the same job for the CD storage. A shelf is much more use and the changer comes out very easily

Sounds like a good place to start. I read it just pulls out. Where do you pull from?

[Hilux2400]

Juts ease it out evenly from the sides

[RRocket]

Is #12 related to #3??

[dgjks6]

No. Drivers seat warning chime and passenger seat heater. The driver side heater is perfect.

Made my first move today. Ordered a 2 new Fobs from Sunset ($149 for the one with a remote and $35 for one without) + shipping. A key blank was $109 from the factory and do not come with a guarantee. So we talked about keys in the post and she said that they sometimes work, but they use an inferior blank that wears out faster, so I still have not settled on the new blades yet.

Still unsure what to do with my key. Will proably have the dealer try to program first and then decide.

Two things I learned today. First, I am going to spend $300-400 dollars so I can push a button instead of putting the key in the lock. Man am I lazy. Second, there are lot of remotes on ebay for a lot of money and without the ID they are worthless. How many people get taken by this?

[Ahsai]

No. Drivers seat warning chime and passenger seat heater. The driver side heater is perfect.

Made my first move today. Ordered a 2 new Fobs from Sunset ($149 for the one with a remote and $35 for one without) + shipping. A key blank was $109 from the factory and do not come with a guarantee. So we talked about keys in the post and she said that they sometimes work, but they use an inferior blank that wears out faster, so I still have not settled on the new blades yet.

Still unsure what to do with my key. Will proably have the dealer try to program first and then decide.

Two things I learned today. First, I am going to spend $300-400 dollars so I can push a button instead of putting the key in the lock. Man am I lazy. Second, there are lot of remotes on ebay for a lot of money and without the ID they are worthless. How many people get taken by this?

If that makes you feel better. I've never heard of 996 owners installing aftermarket remote to avoid paying for the (very expensive) P key and programming. So you're definitely not the minority :)

[dgjks6]

Making progress. Replaced rear deck lid to get rid of dent. Fixed ash tray. Sort of. Took it apart and inspected it and found if I pull the front corner to the rear when closing it closes.

Also getting oem keys. I ordered a the fobs from sunset, key heads from keys in the post, and when they arrive go to dealer to program.

[whall]

I'd address number 5 sooner than later. Funky ignition switches cause a lot of seemingly unrelated problems.

Check out this DIY:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/29137-996-ignition-switch-replace-just-the-switch-with-pictures/

Bill

[whall]

Oops!

Edited May 17, 2014 by whall

[dgjks6]

Ok. Tackled the ignition switch. Cost $40. Total time, 16 hours.

This is just to let you know how repairs go for me. Got home from work at 7. New ignition switch arrived. Read the DIY's and got to work. Moved seat back, disconnected vent under dash. Removed one screw. Could not see the other (blurry from bad eyes) so tried by feel. Stripped the screw. Picked daughters up from dance and took to laser tag. Stopped at Walmart and bought a magnifying glass. Got home and tried again. Stripped screw more. Tried to remove side vent but the torx driver I had would not fit. Got mad and went to bed. Woke up and went to Home Depot and got correct torx driver. Removed side vent. Climbed under dash again and tried again. Now that I could see (magnifying glass and daughter holding the light) I found my screw driver was too small. Went to Home Depot again and got correct screw driver. Still could not get it to fit. Took off fuse panel cover and then obd connector. Then removed seat. Finally got the second screw out. Replaced ignition switch. Put back together.

And found a new problem. Carpets damp under drivers feet. Crap. All drains clear and connected. No idea where water is coming from. Oh well. I will add that to the list.

[dgjks6]

1-DONE - keys done. Ordered fob with remote and fob lighted from sunset, keys from keys is the post, and took to dealer and they programmed remotes and washed the car for $77. New fob works great. Valet key works as it should. They removed the other key fob (which I did not have) from the computer. The orginial key only works sometimes. Same way it worked before. Guess I need a new fob for that one also, but I am good for now.

3-seat belt warning chime- I found the problem. It is in the buckle. If I bend it at a right angle it works. Guess I need to replace it. I got an extra one on the seat I bought to work on for practice. I will try to switch them.

question - is there a passenger chime ever? Even with a passenger not buckled there is no light.

6 - found new leather OEM seat back on ebay. Now just need to switch it out

9 - dent on trunk DONE Swapped out rear deck lid with one from ebay now car says Carrera instead of Carrera 4

14 - fixed the ash try DONE - if I close it with pressure on the front corner it stays shut. Good enough for me for now.

Now that I have so many parts here is the plan.

Remove the carpet and both seats and center console. Fix the leather, buckle, and electric up/down on the driver seat. Put it back together without the carpet and see if I can find the leak up front.

question - where does the ac drain?

That's all for now

Edited May 24, 2014 by dgjks6

[Tomarktus]

The check engine light came on my 1999 Carrera, and it started misfiring. I took it to a porsche mechanic in Culver City, CA. He replaced the ignition coil, and installed a new spark plug, but the car kept missfiring. Fuel pressure tested OK. Exhaust back pressure tested OK. He removed and installed the left fuel rail, switched injectors between Cylinders 1 & 2. OHMED out both injectors, tested at 12 OHM. He reset the fault codes, and the misfirng stopped.

This was a week ago. Yesterday the check the engine light went back on, and the car is iddling rough. I can also hear a high pitch sound when I open the motor compartment.

All Porshe specialists in my area are closed over the weeken, so I'll wait until Monday to start making calls, but would love to educate myself more about what's happening to my car. Can anybody help me out on this? It'll be greatly appreciated.

[Gary S K Lee]

next step PDK style LED tail lights!!!