wang

hello, 1999 porsche boxster tiptronic 42,500 miles engine cooling fan not coming on. replaced fuse, relay, took the car to a local mechanic. he disconnected the fan from the car's electric system. hooked up a 12 volt battery and started the fan. he then went to the temp probe between #2. he removed the probe and heated with a heat gun. the fan went on. what am I missing? is there some dme issue? a broken wire or connection? I used an Actron reader and the result = "no codes" I use the paper towel test on the intake vent while the temp gauge is showing 180. the towel will not stick. thanks for your help wang

1999 boxster - 42500 miles tiptronic not only the same problem of park and reverse also flashing back and forth between 4th and drive. did not hit anything went to a local mechanic with 36 years of transmission experience. non porsche. 20 mintues of using a 12" long screwdriver and crowbar he "adjusted" the linkage by moving the linkage back and forth againist the transmission case. not the adjusting screw. while his apprentice was in the car moving the shift lever at his request. he then sprayed the linkage with a wd40 type oil and told me when it dries it will solidify to grease. $40. drove 75 miles no more blinking lights. wang

Loren or anyone, Can you supply the relay part number? Pelican does not know the number. Bently manual shows relay on page 97-12 as #8 (09/2005). I found the fan unit as part # 986.624.0.36.00. I'm using the least expensive to the most. Fuse, relay and fan. Thanks, Bob

Hi readers, An update to the over heating problem. The non Porsche mechanic's logic was to check the least expensive parts first. He replaced the tank cap. Still over heated - 200+ degrees in two miles. He then pulled the hub covering the thermostat and found on a cold engine that the thermostat was stuck open. He replaced the stat with a 165 degree one. The engine does not go over 180. The temp reads a needle width below 180. The factory stat was normally a needle width over 180. Thanks Bob

Logray, Thank you for your information. I will keep you informed. BTW when something goes wrong it just not seem to stop. The mechanic dropped by on Sunday evening at 6:00 PM with photos of a dent in the drivers side air intake. No note was left by the punk. Thanks for the advice, Bob

Hello I need help with my 1999 Porsche Boxster, 2.5, Tiptronic, 37,500 miles. My previous post is related. See previous post, on Dec 11,2011, "low RPMs 2800 max." On Dec 13, 2011 the car was towed to the Porsche dealer in Reno, NV. $287.50 After paying a bill of $1840. New plugs $16 each, new plug packs $106 each, $700 for an MAF. On Friday the 16th I drove 44 miles to my residence. Two miles from home the car started to overheat. The temp gauge needle was half way between 180 and the unmarked line below the 250 marker. Pulled into the carport and shut off the engine. An hour later I noticed fluid dripping from the right rear tire well. The fluid was a blue-green color. The dealer advertises that they have an extensive part inventory. Wrong! I was charged $54 for o/n delivery of the MAF and sales tax. I found the same part number at two online part houses for $200 and $223. At one time Porsche had "factory reps" for designated areas. Does anyone know the name of the rep for the Reno, NV area. Maybe tool pants could contribute regarding the doctrine in the UCC of "unjust enrichment." The car sat idle for the holidays. I used Enterprise car rental. On Jan 09, 2012 the car was towed to a local (non Porsche) repair shop. Based on online readings I ordered a new tank, 3 gallons of coolant, and 3 gallons of distilled water. The mechanic with 35 years of experience said the tank is not leaking, The carpet had been pulled up and out. The coolant dripping is coming from an overflow line by the rr tire. The coolant color is brown like weak coffee or strong tea. He also pressurized the tank with 16 lbs. It held pressure for 5 hours. No line leaks anywhere. A new cap was installed. The car overheated for the mechanic in the same way for me. When the car was towed in the tank was empty. He stared the car and the tank was over the max line. How is our logic? What is left? A new water pump or thermostat or both? I think that I should replace both. I do not think the coolant is flowing through the system. A serious overheating with a tiptronic and engine would be a total. The car is worth $10K - putting $15K in the car would be a bad idea. The Reno Porsche dealer is like sliding down the razor blade of life. Any help and advice is welcome. Bob

Mike Thanks for your help. I think I will have it towed to the dealer in Reno - 50 miles. Ouch $. Due to medical conditions I'm unable to do even simple work. At least I have some info while talking with the salesman-service adviser. Again thank you - enjoy reading your diy articles. I will keep you posted. Bob

1999 Boxster - trip - 37,500 miles Max rpm 2800 - runs rough when cold - backfires - codes p0150,300,304,305,306,1317,1318. Top speed about 35 mph. Had the plugs changed last weds - ok til this AM. Thanks for your advice. Wang

Hi folks, I have searched for spark plugs for the 986 but not have found anything regarding the Bosch platinum 2, 4303, with 19 ft. lbs torque - printed on the little box. The plug is printed with "Bosch . R3 and Platinum 2. The side of the plug also shows, ingrained, printing of "4303". Can this plug be used on a 1999 Boxster with a Triptronic. Thanks, wang

1999 - built in Finland July 1998 - 36, 500 miles Tipronic 2.5 Would overfilling the crankcase mimic AOS symptoms? Three years ago I might have overfilled the crankcase. 18 months ago the AOS symptoms went away and have not returned. My experience dictates that automobiles do not repair themselves. I am 67 and my eye sight is failing. I might have misread the dip stick. I could have over filled by a 1/2 quart. Thanks for your help. Bob

Don't know if it is the same in a '99, but in my '04, there are four carpet pieces. One lines the "floor" of the trunk Two cover the left and right "ends" And one covers the back The "floor" on attaches with two plastic fastnerers, one on either side of the latch. You pry those out with your finger nail. And the latch cover comes off with two screws, and then the thing lifts right out. The end pices have a plastic nuts, and the rear piece has several of the plastic fasteners you pry off. Like I say; not sure if the '99 is the same. Thanks for your help regarding the plastic clips. I love this board - Help from FL for a guy in NV. Bob

1999 Boxster, 30300 miles, tipronic tran Can anyone offer info on how to remove the rear trunk carpet. I thought it is glued down. A closer look tells me the carpet appears clipped to the trunk body. Anyone have any tips or tricks for lifting the carpet rather than the jerk and rip method. Thanks for your help Bob

1999 Boxster, 30300 miles, tipronic trans Does anyone have any advice or required replacement info for spark plug coils? I have read many posts regarding spark plugs - but very little on coil replacement. Years? Mileage? A local mechanic quoted two hours labor for changing the plugs at US $90 an hour. He opened his mouth and made two mistakes. "You should replace the coils." He then asked, "How many miles on the car?" I told him. He then said, "You don't have to change the plugs until 60,000 miles. Nice price, nice guy - wrong answers. Thanks for your help Bob

My espresso maker advises not to use distilled water because the sensor operates on the electrical conductivity, and indeed I sometimes have seen it indicate "empy" when full. I throw in a cup of tap water, and hey, presto! it is off and running. Is there a chance Porsche uses a similar sensor? I have more information regarding the ww dash light problem. I crashed the car in July and got it back in August. I was doing pre winter maintenance in November and did not think the accident had an effect on the ww dash light. When I picked up the car in August I checked lights, doors, top movement, trunk levers, etc. I did not check the ww fluid level. I filled the reservoir spout with 2 quarts of water and the light came on. Took off for Mexico, San Diego, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas for 2 months. Returned home and after the local temp got above 50 I looked at the problem again. I noticed the hoses and electric connections go through the side next to the drivers front fender. I drained the ww tank by holding the lever. The tank was empty - no water hitting the ww. I heard the pump laboring. Let go of the activation lever and the dash light went out. I put one quart of water in the tank. Started the car and the dash light came on. Drained the tank again and the light went out. My questions: Does one remove the plastic type composite material shroud that forms the wheel well to gain access to the ww reservoir tank? Or does one have to remove the fender? I think the repair shop will deny they are at fault. Also is it possible the make the electrical connection backwards so that the polarity is reversed. Empty tank = light out. Full tank = light on. Thanks for your help, Bob

Hi, I use distilled water because I'm concerned about chemicals in the washer fluid at 70 MPH. I do not want bleach marks on the top. I put the water in the correct hole and screwed the cap on. In July it will be 10 years old. Maybe I should break down and see a dealer. Or walk over to White's Mortuary and lay down. Thanks for your help. Bob

Hi Loren, Thank you for your help. I put two quarts of distilled water in the tank. No leaks. nothing on the carpet inside or under the car. I use distilled water instead of chemical laced washer fluid. At 70 MPH I'm concerned about the top and "bleach marks." A dirty sensor? Where and how? Could the sensor be reading the difference between washer fluid and water? Thanks, Bob

I recently filled the windshield washer tank with distilled water. The dash light came on. What did I do wrong? 1999 Boxster. Thanks, Bob

Hi Chuck, !999 Boxster - AT Iwould enjoy driving down from Gardnerville, NV. I do not have a need for projects on my car but would like to watch and talk. Thanks Bob

I do not know which type of scanner they used.

I recently had CEL codes of 1123,1125,1128, & 1130 which were produced by Autozone in Carson City, NV. Loren has explained the codes. I took the car to Valley Wagen in Carson City, NV - a respected German auto haus - George the owner said, "Our scanner is giving the following message:" 'Access denied - consequently you will have to take your car to a dealer and have them put the OBD on a factory computer scan.' Has anyone had this "message" before? True or BS? Thanks, Bob

Loren, Thanks for the Autozone info. Drove 30 miles to Carson City, NV. Allen of AZ was a great help. The four codes are 1123,1125,1128 & 1130. He asked me to shut off the engine. He then reset and asked me to start the eng. The Check Light was gone. Seems OK now. I'm in the process of moving. No phone or Internet. Using the Douglas county library. Thanks for your help! Bob

T/P or anyone, 1999 2.5 with trip tran and 22,500 miles. Car runs fine - Is there a history of faulty "check lights?" Thanks for your help, Bob

Hi, Does anyone have the procedure for replacing a windshield? Is the outside rubber trim piece reuseable? I was changing wiper blades and left the wiper arms up. I lost my balance and hit both arms into the glass. I have two 4"x10" star bursts. High insurance deductible. Best price $550. Found a "used" "clean" windshield at a junk yard for $150. What kind of problems could I encounter? Thanks for your help. Bob