rsfeller

Anyone else got a theory?

Parcel Shelf replacement speakers?????

Nope! Ain't got'em...

The seat belt buckles on the early cars had tin plated electrical contacts. Porsche switched to gold plated years ago. There is a kit with new buckles and ground wires. That kit was put in by the dealer for the second fix and no problems since then. This is the most common reason for the light. My car was long out of warranty but it was done as "goodwill." I don't think Porsche does this for free anymore. The other problem is a bad control unit - but that is far less common.

If you look in the 996 section of this board there is a guy who cleaned the tin plated contacts with electrical cleaner and he said the light is off. You might try that and then turn the light off with the Duremetric and see if it comes back on.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...amp;#entry50435

Thanks. Just found TSB 6924.

I know that airbag and seat belt TSB can still be active 10 years down the road on some cars. Does anyone have knowledge of this?

I had a 10 year old Vw that they still did a fuel line fix for!

Shawn

I think there are just 6. At least that is what my 1997 with the sport package has.

Window sticker says 8 but I'm skeptical from what I have read plus your statement. Unless they say the door subs have a midranger or such to them!?!?

Anyone else got a theory?

I have a 1997 with the sport package and it did not come with the OBC stalk. I did the retrofit.

The sport touring package came with the OBC stalk, and other stuff. This package was a $6,680 option back then.

I do not remember traction control as being part of a package back then.

My car has had 2 air bag light fixes. The last was about 5 years ago and no light since then. This is a typical issue on the older cars. As is the ignition switch if yours has not already been replaced.

boy you are going to be helping me quite a bit!

I did just find the original window sticker and the heated seats and TC were seperate line items.

Any idea what the air bag light fix was? did you have a Porche dealer do it or an indie? I'll be curious to see how detailed the Duremetric software gets with this. I know one of the functions they advertise is the ability to turn on/off the air bags. I'm assuming this is only for the pass. side for the "kiddie seat".

The ignition switch seams fine at this time but I have read much on it already. The wife said she felt it was hard to turn when she test drove it tonight...any chance it being "hard" to turn as an early failure sign...or does it just fall apart in the backside as I have read?

Shawn

just took delivery tonight of my 97 986 and other then a an airbag light, everything has checked out great. will get the durametric software on it tomorrow to see if it pulls a specific code for that.

anyways...i'm reading the manual explaining the OBC on american spec cars and note that mine doesn't have the stalk to control this. obviously this is why the "hacks" exsist for this.

this car has the sport package with tranction control. it done's have memory seats. i'm curious to what package included the stalk for the OBC, or did no US spec cars have the stalk for this year contrary to what the manual says?

just thought it's "odd" the car has the computer functionalty w/o the simple stalk instalation!

any comments ont he OBC or lack thereof would be appricated.

on 1997. obviously each dash speaker is two per side for 4 plus the subs int he doors for a total of 6. where are the other two?

Just match up the hole in an old pad with a new pad that does not have a hole. In the pictures the new pad is the thicker one that I drilled the hole.

You are right, looks real easy and since the sensor is just on a wire one it appears one could be off a mm either way with no concerns.

Other then taking it slow is there any trick to drilling into the brake material?

Does it crumble easily?

I would guess that would depend on the make and content of the pad material.

My 986 arrives this evening about 8pm EST...so I get fo find out my true "to do" list soon!

The Mintex front pads I put in did not have the holes, so I drilled them.

Pretty easy to figure out where to drill the new holes once you look at the old pads?

Shawn

Some brake pads do not have the holes for the sensors, like Pagid. I used to take a cable tie and secure the sensors out of the way on the metal brake line. I recently cut them short and twiested them together and cramped an electircal connector on them. I was a little concerned about the tied up sensors rubing on wider tires I put in the front. Just seemed neater too.

Anyone got alist of which brake vendors or models have the holes and which don't...or anyone got a short list tucked away in their brain...

you would think their instructions would inlude that!

Having trouble finding this info via board search but seem to recall the connector is under the dash, can someone be more specific?

Shawn

We reuse them if they are ok. I still have the original sensors on my 1997. If your light is not on then just buy pads and save yourself the money.

Good news! I guess there is some pulsing in the front on braking so I'm guessing the rotors are warped. Owner says he things the rotors are original but I haven't taken deliery of the vehicle till this weekend. Say no light on the brakes so I will reuse!

Shawn

completing an electrical circuit

Actually, they break the circuit when the wire is worn through.

That makes more sense! I was wondering how it would complete a connection w/o giving a lot of false positives (on/off/on) but a brake is a brake!

So if my old ones are still OK continue to use them or will they break or fail prematurely if old?

Again I'm seeing good prices on disc/pad combos that don't include the sensor.

do they wear down themselves or are they replaced for other reasons?

I note that some kits online come with the sensors for brake jobs while others don't. Tell me everything I need to know!

Shawn

The passenger side window makes a pretty noticeable snapping sound when it reaches the top or the bottom positions. What could be the cause of this?

Also, are Boxster doors prone to rattles? I hear a rattle when I shut the driver side door. Is this because of something loose inside the door, or is it more likely related to the top mechanism?

TIA

Boy I don't know for sure but with those two issues THERE HAS to be a coorelation. Get that door apart to find the answer to both those questions!

now I gotcha!

Yea the two I posted are my ride...didn't think you would point out the others cars in the album.

I see about 3 different wheels in the 17 picture photo album.

But the link to the 2 pictures are 17".

What is the 17" picture photos album? Somewhere on this site?

Shawn

sounds like a stupid question, eh? Here is why I don't know...

I have not taken delivery of my used 986 yet and the previous owner is a young lady who is clueless off the chart. She at least knew enough to tell me that her mechanic stated the tires were bald. I don't even want to begin to ask her what tire size it had and where to look!

Here is a photos and from all my research it appears that these only came in a 17" rim, I think someone called these "twist" rims.

I want to place an order with tirerack.com so the tires are here when the car arrives this weekend. Hate to order them only to find out this rim also came in 16"!

anyone 100% sure?

My car photos from the online sale will help you answer me:

http://carboncow.net/php/gallery/view_phot...m98&id=6c_1

http://carboncow.net/php/gallery/view_phot...m98&id=e4_1

Thanks.

Shawn

Ohio

new to the porsche world but I'm very curious with your guys tire wear.

Does wasting tires at 15K and less come from excessive burn-outs or very agressive driving or is it just the soft compounds on the often recommended tires on here.

I often buy tires for my saab turbos and tend to get 20-30% more then what is recommended. Should I expect that due to my driving habits or am I going to be wasting a set of tires every summer?

thanks.

shawn

anyone tried to have the shop re-calibrate your system? The software Duremetric software (I believe) covers this process or was it on 986faq.com I saw this common issue discussed?

Shawn

I would look at the Bentley manual and at RennTeck.org. You did not say what year your car is there was a change in the drive motors for the top in late '98 or early '99. If you have patience, can have the car out of service in a garage for a couple of days and don't mind buying some parts that you may break in the process you'll be fine. I would rate it an 8 on your 10 scale, I think it takes a lot of adjustment and knowledge of how to get things to work.

I have a '98. I replaced the drive motors myself. I would rate that as a 5 or so on your scale. Depends on what the starting state of the top is, ie stuck in place or working. The rear window went out on our car and I was told $ 600 to fix it and $ 1200 to replace evrything. We went the $ 1200 route and changed colors.

oops this is Renntech.org, check the TSB's on Boxsters for the update on the drive motors.

Thanks. Top is working just issues with dry canvas and back window. Great info provided and the Bentley has been ordered.

In the spirit of my thread how about pointing me toward the instructions you have seen!

I'm a great DIY and sort of pulling an engine there is little I won't try. not having luck with keyword searches so I'll just ask straight out.

Any good procedures for top replacment?

How do you rate this a DIY on a 1 to 10 with 10 being the most difficult?

I'm just interested in staying with the plastic window.

thanks.

Shawn

www.carboncow.com

Thanks Loren. Already have check out the Bentley and a few other "fun" books we'll order when we take delivery. Hopefully you guys get a fair cut from the referal. Hope to DONATE to once we got all the expenses and delivery out of the way...I have a feeling I won't be able to live without this list or the Bentley.

Any of the Mitchell CDs or Porsche (offical) parts list CDs worth the $10-20 on ebay they go for?

Where can I find PDF of offical manuals as the owner said he cannot find the one for the car.

If they are the best and cheapest on parts...that is where I'll be ordering.

Shawn

Newbie today on the list but will not take ownership of our low mileage 1997 until next week. Doing the research and checking the archieves. One piece of info that is not "jumping" out at me is a list of recomended online parts vendors. I'm sure like my Saab counterparts there is one or two vendors who stand out in the crowd for price, stocking and delivery.

Anyone care to mention a few names and links or point me to a thread that has discussed this many times.

I'm planning on getting the Bentley and laptop Diagonistc Scan Tool soon after delivery as I'm a good DIY but green to Porsche. The boxster has me a bit scared due to access but I do have a garage pit at work and a "bitchen set of tools"...

One newbie question that I have not seen in my searching. Other then fluids is there ANY access to the engine from the top or rear boot via removing a panel or is all done from below?

Thanks!

Shawn Feller

Ohio

www.carboncow.com