Galhund

Hi Remus,

Thank you so much for posting this answer. Sets my worst fears at ease ;-) I promise a full report once the problem is cured.

Also thanks to everyone who reacted!

And to make good on my promise, here's my report: we (my brother-in-law and Renntech member Paul and myself - with Paul doing most of the work ;-)) raised the car up yersterday and took a look at the transmission cables. The problem was immediately obvious: one of the clips that holds the cable in the guide rail had gone AWOL and therefore allowing the cable to jump out of the guide. We made a temporary fix by using the sophisticated tool known as steel wire ;-). And then I went for a blast in the autumn sun. And then I discovered in the evening that the car had leaked some coolant (two puddles just behind the rear left wheel), so that's back to the forum and finding out where to look first (cracked reservoir? badly fitted tube clamp? Who knows... ;-)). The leaked coolant was clear so I suspect it is a straigthforward leak somewhere. Ah, the joys of Porsche ownership (Loren would probably say "Now there's a great excuse to get your hands dirty with some honest Porsche DIY" ;-)))

Hi Galhund,

Yes sounds exactly like my problem. I think ViolaGT3 and topmech0 are right.

The problem occured only once again, roughly three weeks after the post. I have not had the problem since (so roughly eight months).

In August I called my independent Porsche shop about another issue. (These guys are very good. I have been in the Porsche dealer here in N Scottsdale and my indy's shop is as good or better. So far all their work has been very good with no problems after) Anyway I talked to the head technician and mentioned the gearbox problem. He said they see this often on 996s. I am trying to remember from August but I think he said there are a couple of plastic parts that keep the cables in alignment. He said the cables will come out and will cause this symptom. Apparently it's not a big deal just get under the car and it should be apparent what is wrong. He said it was most likely not a transmission issue (of course he's not going to guarantee it).

I have not taken it in or looked at it myself since I plan on having a new clutch installed. I thought I would have them fix the cable issue at the same time. I felt much better that it was remote that this is a transmission problem $$$.

Rod thanks for the suggestion. Good luck Galhund.

Remus

Hi Remus,

Thank you so much for posting this answer. Sets my worst fears at ease ;-) I promise a full report once the problem is cured.

Also thanks to everyone who reacted!

Allright, I'll offer my take on your issue. I would preffer to have your issue. It spells out the cables. You have a push pull and a side to side.

From there you can imagine that you issue lies with the Push Pull cable. I would give the rear end assembly a glance and see if you have rocky raccoon's remain's there. If not move to the cabin and pull the rear console. You'll see the shifter box, give it a once over to ensure that all the movements are uniform, ie that the cable is not binding in it's sleeve. The mark the PP connector, then adjust it appropriately to cause more movement in the necessary direction to engage the defunct gears. If you meet with success then find the happy median and you are go. If not, it gets ugly, there is morethan likely that you have something bent or sticking inside the gearbox. I will leave that tidbit to those more in the know than myself. GL

Tx! That's quite helpful. So let's hope it is indeed just the push/pull cable. I'll get round to it this weekend (if the wife lets me ;)

Tx,

Hugo

Call GBOX in Colorado...talk to the owner or the lead mechanic there. they will help you diagnose your issues.... free.....

5757 Arapahoe Ave.

Unit C1 East

Boulder, Colorado 80303

Phone: 303.440.8899

i have been pushing them alot.. but they saved my walled a lot of $$$ and talk 2 days to turn around!! and they will actually spend time to talk to you

rod

Hi Rod,

Thanks for the lead, but it is a bit difficult since I'm located in Europe (Belgium) and I don't want to abuse the good people at GBOX knowing that I'll never be able to give them my business. So if Remus or anybody else could report on how his issue was finally handled, I'd be most grateful. -> Loren or anyone else from the tech gurus: any thoughts?

I'd check the cables first to see if there is something binding them... after that it starts getting ugly. Fast.

Thanks viper I will check the cables.

By ugly do you mean a new gearbox? What does a new one (P&L) run these days?

Thanks,

Remus

Hi Remus,

I have exactly the same problem on my 2003 996 C2 Cabriolet (US-spec, manual, 67.000 miles) since last Sunday. I could eventually engage the uneven gears if I slowed right down to walking pace, got it into second, let the clutch come up and then declutch again and put it in 1st. Then it was OK for a while, until the whole thing started again.

How was the problem diagnosed on your car? Was it the cables? I really would appreciate if you could shed some light on this, because as you may understand, I'm panicking...

HI your thought would be correct.

Here is a link to help you. It is a sport suspension setup.

http://www.pca.org/panorama/sample_article_3.html

Wow, fantastic help! Talk about a comprehensive answer :) The article is really very complete!

Tx,

Hugo

Car = 996 C2 from 2003 (ROW-Belgian version). The option list mentions "030". On Renntech options list it is described at "Sport-type running gear". Does anybody know what this cryptic description actually means in plain English? I first thougt it was the sports suspension?

Tx,

Hugo

Ok here we go!

Wow, stunning result. Love what you did with the Kenwood. Did you have to move the AC controls to the bottom of the console, in order to install the double DIN Kenwood?

059= Delete Front Bumperettes....

Thanks! Even Loren was in the dark about this one.

Hi all,

I've got a 2001 996 TT (US version) coming (should be delivered in Antwerp harbor after the weekend, fingers x-ed ;-)) and I was re-checking the options listed on the vehicle identification label in the maintenance book. The only one I could not find through the option code look-up feature here on the site, nor in A. Streather's excellent book is option code "059". In the list, it jumps from 058 straight to 061. Anyone know what option"059" means?

Tx!

GH