1999/986

it's like putting a screw cap a on bottle of fine wine.....it's just wrong!!

when you say your bar lights are "down one", do you mean one bar below the minimum mark? if this is the case, just add some (little bit at a time) until you're within the bars. you'll be fine anywhere in there. also, while it may depend on temperatures where you live, the dealership here (nashville) recommends Mobile 1 0W-40.

Could someone direct me to a post on how to change the bulb in a 99 boxster, NON-xenon headlight? or give me a short run-down on how to do it. thanks for your help. LSC

that is indeed the part i speak of. does it exist as a part of a larger part? say, a middle console or something?

I was wanting to replace the shifter bag on my '99 986. It's starting to look a little worn out. Does anyone know the part number for this? Is this an easy change out? Thanks for the help. Oops, just realized i but "bad" instead of "bag" in the topic heading. Hopefully everyone can figure it out! :cheers:

FYI, i should add that i had been de-snorked for about a year until the hottest days of summer came around. i noticed the engine temp creeping up around 195+. i prompty re-installed the air tube and immediately noticed normal (185-190) temps again. of course, i'm not talking about too much of a temperature difference, but a difference nevertheless.

check this link and go to "boxster maintenance" on the left.

i can give you maintenance costs from my experience. of course, prices will vary depending on where you get your car serviced. that is, if you go to the dealer you WILL pay more. here's what i've had replaced at a non-dealer (bosch certified) mechanic @ 70/hr: - MAF sensor: part $450, labor/diagnostics $300. this repair cost can be drastically decreased if you want to do it yourself. check out the forums for info (there's a ton of it). whether or not you have an ae-gas car will determine this. usually the maf will fail around 60 or 70k miles. - coolant reservoir: part $275, labor $450. i've also heard this one is "easy" to do on your own if you have the right tools/shop. i, unfortunately, do not. for some reason porsche can't design a plastic container that doesn't leak. i think they're on R75 of this part now (just kidding, but whatever revision it is, it's too high for a plastic container). tires are expensive. plan to drop AT LEAST $1000/set. before i bought mine i called the dealer to get repair costs (so these are WORST CASE)! apparently brakes (rotors and pads) will run around $1500. if you have a manual transmission the clutch will run around $2000 ($3000 if you damage the flywheel). a brake job is a do-able at home. again search the forums for LOTS of help. oil changes are about $150 from the dealer. this can EASILY be done yourself for about $70. the oil will run you about $5.50 a quart and you'll need 10 of them. the filter is about $15 ($25 if you get it in the porshce box from the dealer). can't comment about the relay i would say that the only things i've had to repair are things i didn't count on when i bought it. murphy's law says all costs will be hidden costs. so i've had my '99 since last july and it now has 67000 miles on it (it had 49000 when i got it). your repair bill will be higher than on the ol' honda (or equivalent)but i GUARANTEE it will be more fun!! hope this helps. take care.

Hey there, i am wanting to get a good round of "paint care" in (i.e., more than just a wax) and was wondering if anyone has tried anything like clay bars or polish or other products. if so, has anyone used zaino brothers. i've read good things about them (and from the price they had better be good) but i wanted to know if anyone here has used them and what their experience was. thanks for your feedback. also, if anyone has any suggestions or advice i'd appreciate it too. thanks, lee

how can you get them if, say, you bought the car used?

do you need radio codes if you disconnect the battery?

well put.

are these the wheels you're talking about (see avatar)? nice choice!!!

i don't remember the part number (i can check later) but the one i think you'll need is about 450 USD (if you buy it from the stealership or from my mechanic). however, i think you can find it elsewhere for cheaper. toolpants can correct me if i'm wrong, but i don't think '98s were e-gas so i believe you get the cheaper MAF (actually it might depend on if you've got a 2.5 or not). this post might help. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...=air+mass+meter

All, i realize that this topic appears every now and then on forums, but i wanted to get some new feedback. what is the relationship like between old car (356) guys and new car (modern 911 models and boxsters) guys. since i bought mine i've felt like I'm in a "club" of sorts where all the people share the incredible porsche heritage. unfortunately, my attempts to wave and flash lights at most other boxster and 911 people end up with nothing in return. is this a dying tradition? does anyone care anymore? maybe it's silly to feel this "bond" with other owners, but i do. unfortunately it seems like a one-way relationship. maybe i'm too caught up in the romance and mystique of porsche. maybe i should just drive them and shut up. who knows? as a side note, i feel like most people on here respect all porsche models so maybe there won't be any "negative" comments. however, if you are someone who hates 356s, and don't care to explain, please tell me where the animosity comes from. thanks. Lee

all fixed!!! thanks 0586slb!

i still haven't had a chance to check things out. however, i should also mention that the signal (beeping) that lets you know that you've left your lights on is also not working. just thought i'd throw that out incase it shed more light on things (no pun intended). thanks.

ok, thanks a million!! i'll check it out.

i checked them but i didn't see that there was a fuse specific to the gauge lights that are activated by the headlight switch. if there is a fuse for this purpose, let me know and i'll look again (actually, i'll look again anyways...).

Hey guys, here's a not-too-pressing question for you. The lights on the dash of my '00 986 recently stopped working. The digital section of the gauges still works and the digital section of the climate control still works. However, when i turn the lights on, the analog gauges don't come on, nor do the buttons for climate control. I also noticed that the ash/change tray light doesn't come on either. This seems to point to some switch problem (probably the light switch) but i wanted to see if anyone could provide more insight into this. Thanks.

did anyone see this? http://money.cnn.com/2005/05/10/Autos/pors...amera/index.htm

the procedure is in the owners manual too.

Some aftermarket scan tools (like mine) can also display all four sensors and the voltage readings. It is all available via OBD II if your tool supports it. I guess the MAF could still be part of the problem - but until you fix the first O2 sensor problem you won't know. There are codes specfic to an MAF failure but you don't have those. IMHO - You need to look at the O2 voltages correct that problem then look for other causes and faults. If you have a bad O2 sensor it can mask or cause all sorts of problems/faults. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> loren, what aftermarket scan tool do you have? how much do they cost? i'm looking to start getting some tools and such...starting with the service manuals. since masterbm gets the title of poorest and dumbest Porsche owner in cincinnati, then i get the title of poorest and dumbest in tennessee. cheers to being poor but still buying expensive toys!!! this is off topic, but could you make a list of recommended "essential" tools for doing basic diagnostic/repair/maintenance"? or is there such a thing as "basic diagnostic/repair/maintenance" aside from an oil change?

ahh..you're right. i had to replace my MAF a while back but i couldn't remember the codes off the top of my head (in fact, i'm trying to forget them). thanks for clearing that up.