jackpjr

Well everyone I think my fun is over - The engine would not turn over and it was obvious that it was stuck and not turning. I flipped the switch a few times and then started but now has a very specific sounding of a rattle. I still unfortunately owe a significant amount on the loan so I cannot just ditch it yet. I will send it to a garage for a final diagnosis but I think I know the answer. Thank you all for all the help and support. If the engine is shot - I will get a new one and attempt to put it in myself. I feel defeated at this point but will keep trying.

Here are the codes it showed this time. Misfire and now a secondary air intake.

Here is a short video of me starting the car. Listen for the backfire and listen for thw whinning it does after it shuts off. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I have visually checked the ignition coils and everything looks ok. I have taken #3 off and felt of #1 for any signs of issues. Should I just go ahead and start replacing sparkplugs, ignition coils or do any of you have an idea about this one? Couldn't get the video to upload so it is on my youtube account - jax944 is my screen name if video link doesn't work.

Have you checked the timing? Can you tell if you are getting back pressure into the intake? We had one that was off a few teeth on the camshaft -- it would turn over -- but it was not happy and would not idle. m Not sure on how to check the intake - Hints? I hooked it up to the Durametric tool again this morning and now I am getting P0300, P03001, P03003. Misfire issues - Would this be a condition of the MAF sensor? Some of these posts indicate a coil issue.

Ok guys - got the ignition switch in the mail and installed in about 30 minutes - I have hand cramps already. Turned the key and the engine is still struggling to keep started. I can pump the gas and keep it going but the engine will not idle on its own.

I am able to keep it started for a about a minute or so - I does sound like the starter is still engaged while the engine is going. This may be why the engine does not have the freedom to keep going is that the starter is still engaged. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I will search the forums to see. Thanks guys. Jack

Ok guys - I have tried to turn the engine by hand and was not able to get it to turn. Hooked up the starter to just give it a try and see if it would work. The engine is turning and it tries to start but cannot get it to stay started. The engine wheel connected to the serpentine belt is turning and all looks good. Just seems to be at the point but not quite there. Any advise on this step? Battery is charged and on a charger to start - I turned the key on and left it on to let the car register everything. Read somewhere to let it stay connected to juice for a bit to let the computer calculate something.

I will attempt to turn the engine on Monday before I put the starter back in. I never tried to jump it because I always had juice so #2 is probably not it. I think I did comment that I was hearing the starter spin or make a noise after the engine was engaged. It kind of sounded like it was winding down or spinning down. Let's keep our fingers crossed guys - Happy New Year.

Ok guys - was finally able to work on the car - I have removed the starter and taken it to a local shop and it is fried. I will have a new one delivered on Monday. Kinda sounds odd that I was driving and the starter failed causing the engine to stop. Does this sound right? I am still on the fence but atleast I have a starting point with the failed starter. Any comments?

Hey fellas - Sorry for the delay in the update - Been working and not able to get to the car yet - I will have it in my garage by this weekend and then the work will start. As far as my humor - I need it right now becuase I know my vahina will be hurting as soon as I realize I need a new engine. Bare with me boys - I will be posting pics along the way.

I am near the point of replaceing my engine. Possibly - not sure just yet - and it would be due to the IMS failure. How difficult is it to take this engine out? I have the time but am weary of working on it in my garage. I have worked on a 944 and rebuilt the clutch, exhaust, and a few other minor engine parts but not taking it all the way out. What am I up against? How high do I need to get the car to clear the bottom of the car? etc.... Boxster 99 model -

You guys crack me up. Right terminal - haha - funny --- it was the one sticking out of the side of the car right? I didn't even have the battery connected. I was just working my way down the opening to get to the terminal. Boy oh boy. I think I have control of my bowels. Oh wait. Be right back.

Ok - found the starter - now I have no ibrows - look at me, "ibrows" like it is an iphone app - eyebrows. I saw flashes of light and now I have my hearing back .... just adding some humor to the post. I tried to turn the crankshaft with a wrench but the wrench was not tight enough so I am off to the store to get a socket to fit. Since I am getting into this now I think I might webcam my mechanical skills so you all can watch for ammusement. And also, when the engine falls on me you can call 911. I think I have a reality show in the making. Also, do any of you recommend a workshop manual? I have one for my truck on CD and kinda like that option of viewing on the fly.

Ok I have done a few more things to research this. I have the Durametric cable/software and no faults have shown up but doesn't the car have to be running to get that to work? I have removed the panel behind the seats as suggested to make sure the belt was in place and it is. I am not getting anything from the starter at all. No attempt to turn the engine or engagement from the starter at all. I have notice in the past that the starter did make a little hum after turning the car on for just a milisecond. I am going to get the garage cleaned out on Monday or Tuesday and get the project started as suggested. If you guys have anything else you recommend different from above, I would love to hear it. Something like, "oh yea that happened to me and I just replaced a .05 cent fuse and away I went", would be nice. McD's is on me - Do they have a 2 for 1 deal meal? Boy am I going to loose weight - lets call this the Boxster diet. Step 1 - Boxster breaks down. Step 2 - use all your money to fix it. Step 3 - you cannot afford food for the next few years. Step 3 - Count your ribs in the mirror because at this point they are not abs. Step 4 - repeat often until you reach your goal weight. :censored: A few things -- 1) Pedro is just down the road -- 2) See if you can turn the crank with a socket wrench, it should turn with some effort and should never stick. When I say effort -- assuming a 16" handle or so maybe a little longer -- you should be able to turn it with some effort. If it will not turn -- than you might have broke something inside. (the crank is the middle pulley that has a tear drop hole in the front) If it does turn -- that does not rule out an IMS issue. there are some more advanced things you can do to determine things a little further -- but unless you want to be mechanically inclined -- I would start there and see what happens. You might have also had a D-chunk failure. With this you are unlikely to be able to turn the crank and you will not be able to tell without tear down or borescope. good luck -- mike Ok - I have removed the Serp belt and have hand turned all the devices but the engine. That one is pretty stiff probably due to the fact that it is not on stands and i am not pressing the clutch in. Ok Ok - I am trying to use my inner power of suggestion and hope - let me dream **** it. I didnot see any visible signs of wear on the belt to suggest anything froze up and was causing the smoke and smell - The next thing I would like to accomplish is to take a look at the starter but I cannot see it from the panel on top or bottom. I am assuming I need to jack it up and look at it. I will be buying the "How to replace an engine for dummies" book very soon and starting the project in my garage. Wish me luck - did anyone say they were close to me in Ft. Lauderdale? Come by and pick me up for a ride from time to time so I can keep excited about owning a Boxster. Even if it is in the garage and up on blocks.

Ok I have done a few more things to research this. I have the Durametric cable/software and no faults have shown up but doesn't the car have to be running to get that to work? I have removed the panel behind the seats as suggested to make sure the belt was in place and it is. I am not getting anything from the starter at all. No attempt to turn the engine or engagement from the starter at all. I have notice in the past that the starter did make a little hum after turning the car on for just a milisecond. I am going to get the garage cleaned out on Monday or Tuesday and get the project started as suggested. If you guys have anything else you recommend different from above, I would love to hear it. Something like, "oh yea that happened to me and I just replaced a .05 cent fuse and away I went", would be nice. McD's is on me - Do they have a 2 for 1 deal meal? Boy am I going to loose weight - lets call this the Boxster diet. Step 1 - Boxster breaks down. Step 2 - use all your money to fix it. Step 3 - you cannot afford food for the next few years. Step 3 - Count your ribs in the mirror because at this point they are not abs. Step 4 - repeat often until you reach your goal weight. :censored:

No - Don't tell me that - Here is some more info - When I try to start the car - it does nothing. No noise of trying to turn the engine or anything. Would this also be in line with what you are thinking?

Started up a bridge, heard a rattle bouncing off the bridge rail, smelled smoke, dark smoke came from under car near wheel well, and engine quit. The engine does not turn over at all but the car does have power for all the rest. Any ideas? Live in Ft. Lauderdale and would be willing to take anyone out to lunch if they can come over and advise me as to what the problem is. I took the H1N1 shot but the car has the symptoms. Steak if simple and McDonalds if engine. Oh and you have to drive. See ya soon -

I got them from www.autolumination.com. I had to pull out the old lights in order to use the post that screws into the cluster. The lights are soldered into the socket so you have to break the glass of the bulb and pull out the rest with tweezers. Be very careful of the glass in the eye stuff. You can purchase the whole thing from a website but I can't remember where. I will do a little research and respond back. The three lights that light up the Miles, Speed, and the Clock are the only ones working at the moment. Still working on the rest of the cluster issue. Good luck Did you soder the new bulbs into the sockets? if not, 100% sure thats the issue. Nope I didn't solder them in but they fit nice and snug. The ones that are not working at this point are all the ones I did not change and are still the original bulbs. I have taken everyones advice and made sure the 3 connectors for the cluster are nice and settled but still nothing. I am wondering if the cluster has to be reset or something from the Dealer? I found a place on the internet that you can send your cluster and they will fix it if that is what is wrong. Does anyone have any more advice before I sale a kidney? The readout for the milage, speed, and time are all working just fine. It is just the needles that are not responding and the back lights for the dials. Look forward to the next set of comments. Have a great weekend everyone.

Nope not me.

I got them from www.autolumination.com. I had to pull out the old lights in order to use the post that screws into the cluster. The lights are soldered into the socket so you have to break the glass of the bulb and pull out the rest with tweezers. Be very careful of the glass in the eye stuff. You can purchase the whole thing from a website but I can't remember where. I will do a little research and respond back. The three lights that light up the Miles, Speed, and the Clock are the only ones working at the moment. Still working on the rest of the cluster issue. Good luck

Just purchased a 1999 Boxster and the dash lights were out so I did the DIY change to make them LEDs and the lights are still not working and now the needles for the MPH, REV, GAS, and Temp are not working at all. The LED display for the MPH and Time are working and light up just fine but the rest is just dead. I purchased the Durametric Software and it says that there is no communication from the unit so I was wondering if anyone has experienced this problem? Also, the keyless alarm and entry are also not working but can lock and arm the alarm from the door with the key. The clock set knob was also working fine but now I cannot set the clock at all. The dimmer switch also works to dim but not to brighten. I have to undo the battery and then it is set back to the brightness that I can see. Any advice out there? I have searched for days now trying to find a thread on here but no luck. If someone can direct me I would greatly appreciate it. Have a great day and I look forward to hearing from anyone. Thanks again. Fort Lauderdale here!