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2008 3.4 Cayman S Sport - Starting Concern

AndrewT

Member
On my previous Cayman which had a manual gearbox I occasionally got that message, it was due to a faulty or poorly adjusted clutch switch in the footwell. The switch is there to ensure you depress the clutch when starting just in case you’ve left it in gear.

 
Hi Guys

Can I first apologise for asking this question as it might be a school boy error

I have the last two days tried to start the car and it won't crank, the message im getting on the dash is depress the clutch??......well ok I am depressing the clutch and still no crank?

So I depressed the brake pedal and the clutch together then she will start??........


UPDATE: tried the second key and she fired straight away, this leads me to think its the battery in the keys, they probably need replacing due to not communicating properly ??






Kind Regards to all who take the time to read my post


Nick
 
Hi Andrew

Thank you for responding

This particular car is a manual to, I will get the switch looked at, it did actually cross my mind

Many thanks

Nick

 
Nick,

Rather odd that only one of the two keys worked, although it could just have been chance that the clutch switch happened to work with the second key. It's a very common fault (I had it early on in my car's ownership) and the switch was upgraded during the 987.2's lifetime. Pumping the clutch pedal can sometimes get the switch to work.

If the clutch switch isn't at fault, it sounds as though the first key you tried may not have been synchronising with the system. You don't say if the key was able to open the driver's door remotely, but in order to carry out the synchronisation unlock the door with the key and insert the key in the ignition within 10 secs to prevent the alarm from being triggered, then press and hold the key's central locking button for approx. 5 secs.

Jeff

 
Hi Jeff and good morning everyone.

I thought the same regarding the key, then thought that possibly it wasn't communicating with the ignition system, I have had similar happen in the past with another make of car, thats useful to know though Jeff about pumping the pedal, as you and Andrew have already mentioned about the clutch switch I will have it checked with a view to replacing.

interesting about the synchronising of the key with the system, I opened the car with the key remotely....should this happen if the keys on the blink?

Thanks for the heads up about re syncing the key very useful advice as I will be replacing the battery.

Kind Regards

Nick

 
Nick,

If the key remote's working then it sounds as though it's sychronising OK. On that basis it's more likely that the clutch pedal switch is the problem, especially since you're getting the 'Depress Clutch Pedal' warning. When mine failed I found that the engine fired-up eventually after engaging and disengaging the clutch; it took a while though.

The switch was replaced under warranty but it's a DIY job (inaccessible and fiddly though!) and the switch is a cheap (for Porsche!) component.

Jeff

 
Hi Jeff

Sounds very similar to a Mercedes problem I had last year, its a shame when you consider the cost of a Porsche when new that they should compromise the Marque by applying poor quality parts, things like shifter cables breaking etc......just crazy

Kind Regards

Nick

 
Agreed Nick, the switch was probably sourced from RS components..! It was a very common problem on the 987-series cars and Porsche eventually fitted a more robust switch (which was fitted to my CS) and I've not noticed regular complaints referencing this fault since then.

Even the so-called "Premium" marques undergo the same value engineering processes which are applied to cheaper cars, and unfortunately there are a lot of examples on the modern Porsches of suspect engineering and poor quality parts, badly corroding exhaust fixings and leaking coolant pipe joints being typical recurring complaints when cars are out of factory warranty.

Jeff

 
OMG

Its back again even after replacing the switch, "depress the clutch" yes I'm depressing the clutch............jeeeeeez

 
That's really annoying Nick. Did your tech run a diagnostic check before fitting the switch to check for errors? If not then it would be a good idea to do so to see if something else is contributing to the problem.

Incidentally, there's a chap on the 991 forum who is experiencing a very similar problem:

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1063668

As you can see he also replaced the switch but the problem has persisted and he got an auto electrician involved who had access to PIWIS diagnostics. Although he was unable to pinpoint the source he thought that there was a CAN bus Gateway module problem, and I think the 991 owner's going to have to get a Porsche Dealership involved to solve the problem. I'm not saying that this is the problem with your car but I reckon that it's worth getting a PIWIS or equivalent level of diagnostic check.

Jeff

 
Hi Jeff

Thanks for responding

I know it is quite annoying, but that said I'm learning a shed load along the way, I think it would be defeatist of me to give up on such beautiful car, I have resigned myself to the long haul, and even though it exasperates me at times I still love all things Porsche and Porsche as brand.

Im actually thinking more or less the same Jeff, taking the old girl to the OPC and asking them to do all the recall actions on the car, looking at her history she's not really been within the dealership network after the first 4 years, which thinking about it may or may not be a sticking point, I used to work for a premier mark branded car company back in the day, and I was very surprised by how many specialist service garages never had access to the companies diagnostic tools and service action and recall data, I have heard that the clutch switch concern was a recall action by Porsche some time ago, and because my car has mainly been within the specialist environment for quite a few years it obviously hasn't been replaced.

So yes Im going to give the Porsche Centre a call tomorrow with a view to booking her in for all recall actions to be carried out.

Thanks to all who have read my concern and responded.

Kind Regards

Nick

 
Well done for sticking with it on an older car Nick. Unfortunately many people can afford to buy such a car and forget that parts, repairs and servicing charges will be higher than those for your average tin box, especially when complex faults arise requiring specialist diagnosis.

As you point out, official dealerships have access to information that an average garage or even a specialist won't be able to access, and Porsche is no exception. I know from experience when early on in my CS ownership I had a problem with PASM. The experienced master tech was unable to sort the problem using the PIWIS system, but because it was linked to the factory they we able to reinterpret the information and provide additional guidance. It turned out to be a pinched cable caused during vehicle assembly which after some driving time went open-circuit.

Good luck with getting a solution to the problem, and keep us posted.

Jeff

 

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