roger_mck

When I was getting those it turned out to be an air leak in the AOS area.

Hmmmm...well, the headlights are working, and so are the fog/parking lights. I feel like something is shorted. Something else that is happening is that when I have the headlights on, I can hear a buzz in my speakers. And there is an clicking noise in the speakers whenever I am moving (headlghts on or off). Not that it helps but my '99 has a similar problem. Oddly the chime sounds one time only when the light switch remains on or the key remains in the ignition. Doesn't sound at all for an unbuckled belt. I figure the ol' gal just got tired of complaining. Good luck!

I will try cleaning up the interlock switch first - Perhaps some gunk has just made the switch operation a bit spotty. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the info, I'll start looking at both the battery and starter motor more closely. This seems different though - It is definitely not a slow start however, it's a no start for the first 30-60 seconds. Then we're fine.

Just curious if any has experienced a similar issue. This last winter on a couple of occasions my '99 failed to start on the first try. It would however start on the fourth or fifth try. It was clear that this only happened on the coldest days when the car had been sitting outside. Cold Florida days to be exact, somewhere below 50f. It has happened a few more times since, and now recently when the outside temp was 80 degrees. So this is getting worrisome. Fortunately after a 'few' tries the car has always come to life. When it fails to start all is normal except for the lack of absolutely any starter response. No indication of a dead or failing battery. When it does start it fires right up as per normal. '99 w/116k miles. Thanks

The smoke residue is oily so as Geoff remarked you must wipe down all of the interior surfaces. Any proper cleaner that also remove oil/grease will do.

Great job! Did you find it a difficult repair? For $90 this must be a DIY correct?

You'll find that many of us have had to replace the latch - I seem to recall a price of around $165 - at least it is a really simple repair. It is a combination hood latch (metal) and sensor (plastic) and in many cases the plastic simply fails after awhile and things go south from there. I would say that if yours is more than 7 years old you're ahead of the game. Try a couple drops of oil and be gentle!!!

It's been awhile but I installed this kit a few years ago. You can find a couple great write-ups around here somewhere. You'll need a Dremel type cutting tool and some hot glue - other than that the install is a breeze. NOTE that if is the exact same kit as many of us have, it does NOT produce what you would call 'hi-fi' sound. It adds more of a surround effect - quite nice for my tastes!

I'll head out and get a bulb - and some car wax. Then it's off to saturday night darts!!! A priority. Thanks guy. BTW do you know of anyone that sells an 'enhanced' air intake for the drivers side? You know, a (more) extended lip like the later modlels?

When you take the key out of the ignition, with the headlights switched on, the lights dim to sort of a 'glow'. My problem is that only the passenger side does this, no light from the drivers side at all. Just started the other day. Otherwise, the lights are frine. I switched both bulbs from, from one side to the other. Still no light on the drivers side. Need help from someone who has been there before! Could this be the light switch? Thanks - Roger - 99 daily driver

All of the posts have been quite interesting - as I have recently been tracking my gas mileage using lower (cheaper) mid-octane fuel. I am not recommending this to anyone, but as for me, the change has been quite surprising, probably due to oddities in the fuel system (timing?) unique to my car. Anyway I have a '99 non-s and have historically gotten around 21-22 all 'round mpg. The car has also had rather poorer acceleration at proper running temperature, a bit better when the engine was cold/warming. No dyno tests, just seat of the pants observation. With recent high gas prices, I figured what the heck - let's try a lower octane fuel. Another change which coincidentally has appeared at most all of the stations in the area at the same time, is a switch to a 7pct ethanol fuel mix. To my surprise I now get 24.5 mpg and better acceleration at proper running temp. No downside as far as I can tell. I can't really guess why, but imagine there may be some oddities in the engine timing or operation of the fuel injectors which as a whole work out pretty well. As for my around town driving habits they are quite boring about 95 pct of the time - above average use of cruise around town, like to keep rpms high until cruising, put the thing in neutral and coast at the mere suggestion of a red light somewhere ahead. The other 5 pct though... is pure fun! FYI the most recent Porsche Parade magazine has a very good article describing the use of ethanol-mix fuels.

I didn't get any w/mine

blue's right, no PSM on '99. as for ease of rotation, this only occurs when you're at or near the limit of adhesion. it's not like you'd be driving around town, lift, and spin the car. for track use, though, when you're at the limit, you want to be able to easily steer with the throttle. more gas should push you wide, less gas should tighten the line / rotate the car. the M030 sways really improve this. as for the PSM, it's my understanding that it really doesn't kick in until your slip angle is high and still increasing. i don't think it would upset the car. Just thought I'd jump in on the M030 RoW - I also have a '99 and recently installed the M030 Row package. I agree with everything I've seen here and will just add my own observations. First is that I need to experiment with the tires, I was trying to reduce understeer by running the fronts at 32 and the rears at 37 - I have an autocross day Saturday and will try running at 37 all the way around. Also the extent of the lowering is about an inch in front, but this hasn't caused me any daily driving issues at all. The car does seem more stable at higher speeds. Also the setup doesn't fell as stiff as one might expect, just a bit of a stiffer feel but with noticably less body roll. Bought mine from Suncoast in Sarasota FL for 999, even though they were out of stock an order from Germany was at my doorstep in two weeks, maybe a day or two less. When you first see the springs it is surprising how much fatter and shorter they are - inches shorter than what came off my car. I'll see if I can find a post the link to a good article on the PCA website.