mprowan87

New switch assembly on the way. Clutch bypassed with no change (didn't figure this was causing it, but a mod i wanted to make anyway - COULD CAUSE CAR NOT TO START THOUGH IF BAD). I pulled the tumbler with a paper clip last night to look around, and I am certain this is causing my problem somehow. Don't really understand the unit yet since I have not gotten to look at one physically. Just the OE pictures of the part online. I have noticed that when the car will not engage starter, it feels slightly different when you pull the key from the switch. It is an almost entirely undetectable amount of resistance. Pull it out, jiggle the tumbler with just the tip inserted, reinsert key, and it starts every time after failure. Hope it works for another week! Thank y'all for all the advice. WVICARY and IOGRAY are lifesavers! Hope this helps others with similar problems. Tons of info out there on the electrical switch portion, but mechanical switch can cause similar symptoms. I will update once part is delivered and I put it in. Thank goodness the key is not on the column. I had to replace the one on my old BMW and it may have been the most difficult repair I made in ten yrs of ownership. Paper clip works much easier on PORSCHE.

Got a few minutes to ground out the radio security wire. No more horn upon locking! Radio still not controlled by the ignition though. A time or two while doing this fix, the horn would honk twice quickly when locking. What do 2 honks signify? It does not do this now that the wire is properly secured. I also remembered that one time last week I turned the key and it spun entirely around once before it caught and returned to normal operation. I would assume this is a good indicator the steering lock assembly is going bad?? I can't believe I forgot about this happening. Only happened the one time though. Key feels fine in switch and turning of the tumbler feels normal. Thanks for the advice. I'll keep updating as I get time to do repairs and parts shipped in.

Thank you wvicary and logray for you advice. First time posting on the forum (only had car 3 weeks and trying to work any kinks out). I am quite impressed. I will try those suggestions, starting with the clutch bypass and radio ground. Then I will replace the ignition tumbler if problems persist and go from there. The central locking module could not be going bad could it? I don't think this is the case, but I am trying to cover all possibilities. There is no water under the seat, nor has there ever been (nice untouched coat of dust) so it has not gotten wet. One other note having to do with the tumbler. I had a BMW previously as well and the steering wheel lock with integrated mechanical tumbler locks the wheel if turned from any position when key is removed. I would expect the Boxster to function the same way, however there are only a couple positions in which the steering wheel lock will engage. Does this signify a worn tumbler mechanism or is it normal operation? Just a thought... I will post back results as I work on it. Incredible response, invaluable resource. Thanks again.

Please help, After thoroughly searching for someone who has had this issue, I am still lost. Vehicle is a 2000 Boxster 2.7, 5 speed manual. Vehicle has factory Becker radio with tape deck. CDR 220 I believe. I have replaced the ignition switch as recommended for similar problems, but there were no changes First, the vehicle will sometimes not crank when turned to the starter position. It takes multiple turns and sometimes even locking and unlocking the vehicle before it will start (acts like clutch is not depressed when trying to start). It seems to be happening more often and I am afraid it may not work at all in the near future. It is not the battery. Electrical connections to battery are good. I thought possibly the clutch switch but it does not seem to have any effect on it from what I can tell. All fuses look good. Radio fuse in footwell fuse box was blown but I replaced it. Secondly, the Radio does not turn off or on when key is turn to ON position. This happens 100% of the time. The radio can be turned on with the On button in the same way that it can be with no key in the switch. It has to be manually turned off or else it will play continuously. Even if the vehicle is locked. The red LED flashes when the unit is off and the vehicle is running. More pertinent information, All of this started happening after I removed the factory head unit temporarily. I have read different things online as what to do with the brown/blue wire that senses the radio in the dash. Some people say ground it out, others say to tape it off (no ground?). I cannot tell if it makes it act differently if it is grounded, but I may not be getting a good ground (short wire in dash)... Wire cannot be reconnected as originally was. Horn honks once after locking (I figure this is because of the radio security wire) and dash led blinks twice in rapid succession continuously. What should I do with this wire? Why would this affect the ON and OFF of the radio when the ignition switch is turned? Is this linked to the starting issue? I think it may have done the starting problems a couple times before removing the head unit, but I am not positive. It has definitely gotten substantially worse since about the exact same time though. I have already replaced the ignition switch. Also, can I disable the clutch switch entirely or will that not allow the cruise control system to function? Please help!!! Thank you all. The boxster community is amazing!