fpb111

After charging the battery or jump starting the car, connect the voltmeter to the battery the same as before and note the charging voltage. A charging system that is operating normally should produce about 13.5 to 14.5 or more volts at idle. If the charging voltage is less than 13.5 volts, the alternator is not putting out enough current to keep the battery charged. You should have the alternator tested (or bench tested at an auto parts store). If the current output is not up to specifications, replace the alternator.

The standard automotive battery in today's vehicles is 12 volts. Each battery has six cells with 2.1 volts. A car battery is considered fully charged at 12.6 volts.

When a battery drops voltage, even a small amount, it makes a big difference. For instance, when a battery drops from 12.6 to 12.0 volts, its power drops from 100% to 25%. At 12.4 volts, a car battery is 75% charged. At 12.2 volts, it's 50% charged.*

Soumds like the AOS is failing/failed. AOS has water lines to it.

You are probably going to have to buy a new key head.

If so check with Suncoast, FL or Sunset, OR. They are both dealers that discount mail order parts.

Probably discounted to ~$125 for the head. Then another $100 for the local dealer to program it. Some local dealers will program the head as part of the $200+ price. You should check to see what makes $$ sense.

If you go to EBay make sure that the head comes with the barcode. If it does not it will not be programmable.

Log this failure with NHTSA

Recalls are triggered by complaints to the NHTSA. NHTSA complaints and investigations can be researched at their website: http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Owners . Complaints can easily be filed there. Between MY 2000 and 2010 there were only 6 IMS failures reported with std or S Boxsters: 1 in 02, 4 in 03, 1 in 04 - not enough to trigger an investigation, much less a recall.

See this thread

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-forum/645275-possible-leverage-for-failed-ims-engine-replacement.html

Looks like C3 and E1 are involved on 2003.

Have you investigated LN Engineering cyl replacements?

http://www.lnenginee...om/boxster.html

logray

+1 couldn't find it right away.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/14-ENGINE-Intermediate_Shaft_Bearing/14-ENGINE-Intermediate_Shaft_Bearing.htm

did you read this?

http://boxsterguide.blogspot.com/2010/09/intermediate-shaft-ims-bearing-info-and.html

Sounds like the clutch "helper" spring broke. it lives above the pedal in a little can. Some folks take it out because of the more sensitive engagement feel. Some put a weaker spring in because the pedal does not return to the stop. If the pedal has a little play sometimes the cruise control will not engage/stay engaged. Some don't like the stiffer clutch.

Do a search here and on Rennlist. There are a few threads that cover this in depth.

here is one

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-forum/343297-improved-clutch-action-dramatically.html

another

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-forum/493462-improved-clutch-action-dramatically-a-year-later.html

another with pics

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/rennlist-canada/613937-top-tip-does-your-clutch-pedal-feel-hard.html

etc...

Doesn't MY2000 have to have the e brake set? Maybe the switch in the e brake is not making contact?

Here are other less expensive ways to get the amber out.

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-forum/537814-tinted-headlights.html

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-forum/479872-amberectomy.html

Another possible answer.:thumbup:

http://www.songlyrics.com/

Put the bearing(s) in and try it again.

Also Check your water pump for play & noise

How long was it alone this time? Maybe it is getting in a snit because you don't drive it enough.

Seriously, The car goes to sleep after X days and will not respond to the transponder. There is a procedure to wake it up. Something like using key unlock and relock the door then unlock with the remote. Or unlock the door with the key and start within 5-10 seconds. Look in your manual.

Water will get inside of the door cavity. There are drains along the bottom of the door to let it out. The membrane seals the door cavity so that water will not soak the back of the panel or get inside of the car.

The release cable for the engine bay is under the left taillight. You can get to it by gently sliding a wedge between the bumper plastic and taillight housing. I used a rubber mixing bowl scraper. You will see the cable loop laying there. Fish it out with a thin wire hook.

Sometimes it takes the tappets a bit to pump up. Don't overreact by putting any"flush" agent in the oil. It might "flush" junk into places where you do not want that junk. Like the tappets which are a dead end, like the Roach Motel, "Roaches check in but don't check out!" if "Junk checks in it may never check out" Just use one ofthe Porsche recommended oils and change it often. Many do 5k changes or if you have a garage queen once a year.

Hard starting after a wash might be due to some cracked coils shorting from getting wet.

Porsche Approved Oils 2008.pdf

Stuck/collapsed lifter

Look at post #6 on this Rennlist thread.

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-forum/623466-lifter-noise.html

"could this thinner oil and abundant yellowish "coffee foam" on the cap and upper oil fill tube be the cause of the ticking?"

How much coffee foam? !/2 oz, 1 cup? What does the coolant look like? Pretty Pink/green or dark and muddy? What does the oil on the dipstick look like clear or coffee?

Oil pressure skips up and down while driving? Like engine at steady 3K rpm oil pressure skips?

Assuming that the other end of the screwdriver was pressed hard against the area of the engine where you wanted to isolate/amplify the sound?

Does the sound change when you step on the brakes?

Rock from the ground up road between the dust shield or caliper and rotor?

Is this first start only when the car is cold? If so have someone start the cold engine while you look/listen to the secondary air injection pump. It lives in left rear of engine bay, by your left knee if you are standing looking into open engine bay. The SAI only runs for a few seconds on cold start to help light off cold cats.

Thank you for posting your solution.

I wonder why they would not give the barcodes back? When I bought the head from Sunset it came in a plastic bag with a code label and the head also had a tag attached. They both were the same number so I peeled the label and stuck it in my manual. I can't remember if I even asked for, or got the tag back.

Whats with the gap between the bumper cover and headlight? Looks like it is more then 1/4"

Check/add oil to the top pump reservoir