Brad Emery

Oh, lovely. 🙃 Well, it's something to go on, at least. Thanks, again!

@JFP in PA I was afraid that might be the case. My PIWIS cable has apparently decided (right after I pulled those codes) that it's somehow hit its 3-car limit despite only ever having been connected to this one specific car, so I'll probably need to replace that anyway. It'll still give me alarm codes and such but the DME section only tells me I've hit the limit. I've also got the ancient copy of Durametric and I'm not sure how I'd verify the coding. Looks like there might be some reading to do and also some electrical schematics to locate. I'm not SUPER familiar with Durametric to start with. I was at least kind of glad to find that my ancient XP laptop I keep it on was still functional after sitting on a shelf for probably close to a decade. I appreciate the insight and please feel free to throw any further tips at me. I remember there was some place that does immobilizer and DME repair if they're still around. Thanks!

Hi, @JFP in PA! There was the normal brief contact spark when I made the negative connection but I've never not seen that happen. Nothing like an arc or anything like that. Definitely no reversed terminals. This is my second battery change since I've had her. The first I put in (the one I'm replacing) went for about 8 years or so.

Hi, All! 1998 Boxster 986 (Base 2.5, manual, and so on). I recently replaced my failing battery that was just about out. Haven't had any moisture issues or anything like that. I keep her in my garage and check my drains regularly. Had her since 2013. Once I installed the new battery she suddenly just won't crank. Never had this happen before. No solenoid problems or anything. Tried swapping in another known-good battery to test, but same results. Everything seems to work except actually starting. The old battery was DEFINITELY being an issue. I threw it back in temporarily to see whether I got anything, but only the kind of flickering lights you get from a mostly-dead battery. Hooked up my ancient Durametric and I got a set of Alarm codes: Current Fault Codes 21 No engine start possible W lead (DME immobilizer) open circuit Status: Not present Number of times DTC present: 1 49 No communication with PST 2 This fault is stored if the K-lead is short to ground Status: Not present Number of times DTC present: 8 23 W Lead DME Immobilizer short to B+ Status: Not present Number of times DTC present: 3 25 No terminal 86 S Recognized Check fuse F 5/1 Status: Not present Number of times DTC present: 2 42 No engine start possible Wrong key or wrong transponder pill Status: Not present Number of times DTC present 1 Pulled the left seat and examined the immobilizer- No dampness, signs of rust, nothing. Vacuumed up since it was dirty. Fuse is fine. I haven't gone ALL the way through the entire fusebox yet but I think I hit all the ones that are DME or alarm related. Nothing looks blown, but I can definitely pull them all and check. Just off that set of codes and the behavior mentioned would anybody have ideas? My key is still the original. It just hit me that I ALSO have the valet key, so I'll give that one a shot. Thanks!