996 Turbo Failure Indicator

[Byron in Atlanta]

My 01 Turbo won't start and shows Failure Indicator on the dash. It has been flashed with a Cobb Accessport tune. The Accessport cannot talk to the ECU. Nothing seems to be able to connect to the ECU. All the lights on the dash come on, but will not crank over or even try to start. HELP!!!

 

[Richard Hamilton]

Has it been running with the flashed DME, or has this happened immediately after the flash?

[Byron in Atlanta]

44 minutes ago, Richard Hamilton said:

Has it been running with the flashed DME, or has this happened immediately after the flash?

Yes it has been running fine for over a year. This just happened today. No warning or indication of a problem. Parked, went to restart and this. A Google search found one issue on Rennlist from 2005 and that turned out to be a soldered on tune upgrade. So far as I know, my ECU has never been soldered on. 

[Loren]

Have you spoken to COBB - they are usually very helpful and open.

[Richard Hamilton]

Two possibilities I can think of:

Firstly, there is a break in the diagnostic ("W" Line) lead between the DME and Alarm control unit.  This wire carries the diagnostic and immobiliser signals.  If the wire is broken, you can't communicate to with the DME via the diagnostic socket, nor can the Alarm unit connect to the DME to pass the immobiliser signal.  There is a plug and socket joint between the ACU and DME (Plug X2/3 - 30 pins) in the rear left passenger footwell.  I have known a case where the pins were corroded, and gave exactly the symptoms you describe.

Second possibility - the DME has failed.  I have know that happen too.

Edited August 20, 2017 by Richard Hamilton

[DBJoe996]

Why is your voltmeter showing +15V at no start, ignition key in position one?  Seems you have a major problem related to that.  It should not be that high..ever.  Something is going to get fried at that level, and you are talking about some sensitive electronic equipment.  You could try disconnecting the battery negative lead for 10-15 minutes and see if you can reset the DME/ECU.  But I would definitely check out the very high voltage problem...shorted battery perhaps?  Also, there is a fuse in the DME/ECU that might have blown.  It is inside the DME/ECU.  And you should start checking other fuses as well.

Edited August 20, 2017 by DBJoe996

[Richard Hamilton]

Good call DBJoe.  I hadn't noticed that.  Check fuses C1 and B8 to start with.

[wross996TT]

Do you have access to Durametric or PIWIS (or PST2)?  There are  multiple possibilities from the simple: fuses, ignition switch, battery to the costlier: ECU, alarm immobilizer ...and the costs to fix can get high.

[Paul in WI]

While reflashing a 7.8 DME with my PST-2 this message has appeared until the flash completes.  I've always thought it is disturbing that Porsche wants you to reply "OK" to that message.

Edited August 21, 2017 by Paul in WI

[Byron in Atlanta]

On 8/20/2017 at 1:06 PM, DBJoe996 said:

Why is your voltmeter showing +15V at no start, ignition key in position one?  Seems you have a major problem related to that.  It should not be that high..ever.  Something is going to get fried at that level, and you are talking about some sensitive electronic equipment.  You could try disconnecting the battery negative lead for 10-15 minutes and see if you can reset the DME/ECU.  But I would definitely check out the very high voltage problem...shorted battery perhaps?  Also, there is a fuse in the DME/ECU that might have blown.  It is inside the DME/ECU.  And you should start checking other fuses as well.

the battery was hooked to a charger when the photo was taken. 

[Byron in Atlanta]

 No other devices were connected to the OBDII. Here's the whole story. I went to Road Atlanta to a Track Day. I noticed during my first run that the boost would not go over .6 bar. It was supposed to go up to 1.1 or 1.2 with this tune. Even stock it would get .9 or sometimes 1.0 so I suspected a boost leak. I took the car to a shop at the track. They checked all of the hoses and connections and could not find a leak. After that I had them do a corner balance and alignment on the car. When they went to drive the car off the scales, it would not start. We checked all of the fuses and engine connections. Today I am taking out the harness bar so I can get to the ECU. I called Cobb this am and their best guess was micel. I am going to be checking all of the wires and connections.

[DBJoe996]

Don't forget to check/replace the relays 1 & 7 in Relay Support 2

 

 

[Byron in Atlanta]

Okay, took the ECU out and cleaned all of the connections. Checked all the wires, no fraying, burnt or exposed wires. Checked the relays for the DME and Start Lock. Both were good. Swapped them around with relay from O2 sensors. Checked and cleaned the connections to the engine wiring harness. Connected everything back up....no love. Still "Failure Indicator".

[wross996TT]

I would check the immobilizer...I think it's under the drivers seat?

[DBJoe996]

Did you check the fuse inside of the DME?  There is a blade type fuse inside the DME unit.  I know you are in contact with Cobb, but you may, in the end, need to contact ECUDoctors  http://www.ecudoctors.com/

They usually are very responsive with help. 

From their website there are instructions for how to enclose the ECU/DME in a waterproof box.  If you follow this link then go to the PDF installation instructions, it explains where the ECU/DME 15 amp fuse is located and how you get to it. http://www.ecudoctors.com/porsche-996-boxster-waterproof-immobilizer-case-enclosure.html

Edited August 25, 2017 by DBJoe996

[DBJoe996]

I was doing a bit more research and ran across two things.  On a turbo, oil pressure is critical,  and one thread suggested that a bad oil pressure sender can cause the failure indicator to light up, but usually with an oil can, not the engine like in your display.  I see from your gauges that it is showing about 1 bar of oil pressure.  How is that so when the engine is not running/idling?  I am still concerned about that 15V.  What type of charger did you connect...a jump charger?  Never seen a automotive type charger put that much voltage on a car.

 

I also ran across this while looking for the engine light with failure indicator (could it be that simple?)

 

Edited August 25, 2017 by DBJoe996