2001 Boxster S - Replaced Battery, started and it ran for about 30 minutes, pulled back to my garage and while idling it cut off, wont start or try to crank....

[Patrick Sheehan]

I have a 2001 Boxster S. It was sitting for 2 months and before it sat my automatic was not shifting up through gears and I had to use paddle shifters (thinking I may have needed to add transmission fluid or possibly a shifter soleniod?). After I replaced battery it idled for about 15 minutes but windows were not working. I saw fuse was bad changed it and rolled windows down. I got my wallet went to car wash 5 minutes away and windows were not working again, fuse was blown again replaced it and did not work and did not blow again. I drove back home 5 minutes and while idling car just cut off. I touched the front driver fender and it was crazy hot, both front were but I believe back was not. I may have smelled a burning smell at some points while it was idling in my garage and driving, but seemed like it was intermittent. I checked all fuses (all are good) and wanted to check my oil level but I cant get trunk release to work with switch on the door sill and key fob does not seem to be working to unlock it either (no noise attempt being made). My dad said I needed to check the oil and transmission fluid (which both have not been checked in quite some time to be honest, only driven occasionally) but with the trunk not opening I cant check the oil and it seems like transmission fluid can only be checked from below? I tried to reprogram key by turning on,off and then hitting a button and that did not work. Any ideas about this mess I am in?

[JFP in PA]

Welcom to RennTech

 

Yes, the Tip fluid level needs to be checked from underneath and with the trans warmed up.

 

I am always concerned about sudden onset electrical problems in these cars after they have been sitting for a while.  The wiring harnesses are capable of attracting rodents that seem to love to chew on the insulation, resulting in all sorts of problems up to and including burning the car to the ground.

 

You need to do a search for the manual front hood release cable (video here: 

 

[Patrick Sheehan]

I was able to get the frunk unlocked before all this electrical mess and I left it open. It is the rear trunk to check the oil level that I am not able to open up and was wondering if there is an emergency release to get the rear trunk open? I have had it parked in a parking garage for the past two months so I think rodents chewing the wires is unlikely but you never know....

[JFP in PA]

Yes, there is a rear manual release, just like the front.

 

We see cars all the time that are stored in climate controlled, secure garages with rodent related wire damage.

 

Time to start looking at the wire harnesses, particularly where you said it was warm or smelled like burning............