Engine Doesn't Always Turn

russmw · May 5, 2019

A friend with a 993 had this problem and it turned out to be the earth strap from the engine to the body after quite a bit of investigation. I think the strap was about £45 from Porsche but his bill was bumped up by diagnosis and removing the starter to check that first.

Good luck

Macan360 · May 5, 2019

All

Over the last few weeks when trying to start the car I just get a clicking or nothing at all when turning the ignition key.
It has taken up to 6 six attempts on one occasion before the engine has spun.

All ignition lights are on ok and engine spins fast when it actually spins and fires up straight away

My thoughts are

ignition switch, solenoid or starter motor or Clutch pedal switch

Don't think it’s clutch pedal switch as no message is displayed to remind you to press the clutch

Thoughts please

Terry · May 5, 2019

I think the starter motor is the most likely cause of the problem. It's fairly common issue.

Motorhead · May 5, 2019

Trevor,

Although any of the above the above could well be the culprit, before you start grubbing around underneath the car it could be worth trying to short out the clutch switch.

I recall having the same problem many years ago and it turned out to be the switch which was replaced with an updated item. I can't recall whether or not I had the message to press the clutch though.

Jeff

BrianJ · May 5, 2019

My vote would be the clutch pedal switch. I had two fail under these circumstances on my new 2009 987S. The OPC told me it couldn't possibly be the clutch switch as (a) there were no diagnostics and (b) I would have had a "Depress the clutch" message on the dash even if the clutch was pressed. I think over several weeks of frustration I had only two of those messages in possible 100 false starts. Eventually they changed the switch under warranty. After about 6 months the same thing happened again, same argument with OPC. Again they replaced the switch, this time they told me the replacement was a new part number. No further problems after that. I haven't looked it up but possibly the original switch on my 2009 car was the same as the one on your 2006 car. Simple fix but very fiddly to access.