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991 starting problem

kagey1

New member
i have a 2012 carrera s that doesn't want to start.

i've had the RAC come and have a look at it and they tested the battery and found no problem with that.

when i turn the key there's nothing... no click just nothing.

the break pedal feels very hard to push and a warning comes up on the display saying depress brake pedal ( which i am already doing).

the RAC have suggested getting it towed to a garage to be properly inspected, which i will of course do.

has anyone else had this problem before and does the message to press brake pedal mean that the problem may be with the ABS or something rather than a possible starter motor problem?
 
Kevin,

PDK or manual? There's a brake pedal switch (plus at least one switch on the clutch pedal on the manual car) which could be giving you the warning if it's not functioning, and if it's a PDK 'box I presume you can't start the car without pressing the brake pedal and maybe that's inhibiting starting? Other than that the problem could be with the starter motor itself.

If you don't fancy changing the brake pedal switch yourself I'd get the car along to either a Porsche Centre or reputable Independent who can run suitable diagnostics to trace the source of the problem.

Jeff

 
I have a 2013 C2S. Within eighteen months of purchasing it new I had a similar issue where the car went into ‘safe’ Mode on a motorway. This turned out to be a known issue with the brake pedal switch which was exchanged under warranty. It would be worth ringing your local OPC to see if it is still an issue.
 
Howard,

I'm sure it's identical to the clutch switch which caused numerous problems on manual versions of the 9X7 and earlier 9X1 manual cars and was replaced FOC if problems occurred, my own 2009 987.2 Cayman included. If that's the problem, I'm not sure if it's going to be an FOC replacement for Kevin's car after 8-years though.!

Jeff
 
On that basis Kevin, I think a faulty brake pedal switch is the best starting point. It’s rather inaccessible but if you can gain access maybe giving it a tap will spark it into life sufficient to start the engine, otherwise you’re down to having to remove it to see if you can get it working or temporarily shorting the circuit.

If the car’s been standing for some time maybe the contacts have become corroded and you could try pumping the brake pedal to see if that clears the problem. That was what I did with the clutch pedal on my Cayman when the clutch pedal switch began to fail and eventually I was able to start the engine.

Jeff
 
Well, today i thought i'd give it another go at starting and initially i had the same "press brake pedal" warning show up on the display.
I pretty much stood on the brake pedal and hey presto - it started.
I'll still get it booked into a specialist to give it the once over but looks like the car can now get there under it's own steam.
As an aside after i last drove it i did give it a good powerwash using snow foam etc and possibly water ingress could have caused an issue and it has now after 3 days dried out?


 
Sounds like a result Kevin, although it's probably just temporary and best to get the switch replaced ASAP as it's a simple fix.

The pedal box is inside the car so hopefully water ingress isn't the problem ... unless your carpets are soaking wet.!

Jeff

 
Thanks for the help guys.

I took the car to a local independant. He put it on the diagnostics machine and no faults showed up.
He fiddled with the switch and he will be replacing it on friday. Fingers crossed that'll fix the issue.
 
I had the new brake switch fitted and all was good until today when it doesn't want to start again.
it's as if there's an immobiliser stopping the engine cranking.
i've had the battery tested and that's all good.
the car has a vodafone VTS tracker fitted but i haven't taken out the subscription as insurance didn't need a tracker.
could this tracker be causing a problem? has anyone else ever had the same symptoms?
it's spoiling my enjoyment of an otherwise great car

 
That's really annoying Kevin. I suppose the problem could be tracker related, or maybe there's a problem with the starter motor circuit ... perhaps an auto electrician could help?

Most Porsche Independents won't have the full capability of the Dealers' PIWIS diagnostics, so something could be coming in under their diagnostic radar and it would be worthwhile checking the level of your Independent's diagnostic capability. One advantage of having a Porsche Dealership look at the problem is that they have the back-up of Stuttgart resources - to which their system is linked - should they be unable to resolve the problem themselves. The downside for the customer is that you have to pay their extortionate labour rates, but there's probably more chance of getting the problem resolved to your satisfaction.

Jeff
 
I've got an auto electrician coming out to me on wednesday to see if he can find any faults. He has the full piwis diagnostic system, so fingers crossed he can find the fault/s and fix them.
 
So i had an auto electrician come out and take a look. he ran full piwis diagnostics and came up with the list that I've attached.
he said it all points to the gateway control unit being dodgy. i'd like to get my local indy to have a go at fixing it but am thinking maybe it's a job for main dealer, therefore hefty labour rates. has anyone ever had similar problems before?
i couldn't get the screenshot to load, so here's the errors

1. id C1219D dtc info - check gateway control unit error memory contents status body stability management system (PSM)
2. id 000009 dtc info - TFT screen illuminations, function limitation status meters
3. id C11005 dtc info - control unit, function limit status meters
4. id 000021 dtc info - dynamic starting assist function not available status parking brake
5. id 1802 dtc info - Actuator solenoid R/P interlock, unreliable signal status gear selector
6. id C13106 dtc info - VTS, functional limitations status rear-end electronics



 
Maybe you should run the auto electrician's findings past your Porsche Independent first Kevin, but I think you're going to have to get a Porsche Dealer involved to sort out the problem if it's CAN bus related.

Jeff
 
a quick update on the non starting problem.

i took the car to my local indy and he had a good look at it and got it going again after giving the battery a full 24 hour charge.
he thinks it may be the vts tracker causing the problem, even though it's not active - so he is going to disconnect it to see if it stops the problem recurring.
fingers crossed that does it, or it will have to be a trip to an OPC
 
Hopefully i can bring this post to a close.

i had the VTS tracker disconnected and so far i am happy to say that my battery has remained fully charged and i have had no other starting problems.

thanks,

Kevin.
 
A good result Kevin and pleased to hear that you're up and running again.

If you're not using the tracker it's probably a good thing that it's been disconnected. With some of the problems they cause [starting problems; drained batteries; call-centre incompetence] you have to wonder if they're more trouble than they're worth!

Jeff
 

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