Problems starting my Spyder! (start procedure)

[HammerCJ]

Can't believe I'm writing this...and fully expect to be torn to shreds...quite embarrassing...

...but is there something wrong with my Spyder? I get in, turn the key, and nothing happens. Then it says 'depress clutch pedal', so I do, and then turn the key again. Nothing. Do several variations on this over and over again, until it finally starts. Often takes like 30-60 secs! It seems to have been getting worse, I actually stalled it at some lights the other day and very embarrassingly took ages to get it started again!

Guys trust me, I can drive, and never had any problems with my Elise like this! Or any other car.

Am I missing something??! Is there some kind of procedure?

Also, on maybe 1 in 4 starts, there's a lot of white smoke...but reading previous posts, many Boxsters seem to do this? Along with the tyre crabbing when cold? The front suspension also crunches a bit when taking a sleeping policeman at 10-15mph, which other cars have not done.

I love my Spyder...but are these issues that need to go to the dealer?? Please help!

[mrdemon]

I had a new clutch switch fitted to my spyder, and in the Cayman R I had it taken out altogether,

Bloody annoying.

get your OPC to disable it.

[uknick]

HammerCJ said:

I love my Spyder...but are these issues that need to go to the dealer?? Please help!

Yes trip to OPC I think as I never had the problem on my Cayman. I have occasionally forgotten to press the clutch pedal, get the message, do it properly and it fires first time.

[m33ufo]

I'd guess it's as MrDemon mentioned - there's a recall on the clutch switch.

[2010spy]

Is there a recall on the clutch switch for this? I have not seen it but would like it switching off if possible.

[itsybitsy]

never been a recall but is a known issue on caymans and early spyders.seen it mentioned before on p9

[steve singh]

Try the pedal on the far left?

[mrdemon]

there is a recall for some dated cars, it's still st, hence the OPC disable it from my R

[Zyp]

It happened to the car I was test driving at my OPC.....

[anonymous-user]

It's a known issue on every car that has it, isn't it?

My 997.1 is starting to show the problem. Sometimes it's fine others not. If it doesn't immediately turn over a few pumps on the pedal gets it working.

[gl20]

Definitely a recall item on regular 987.2 (had mine done at last service) so assume it must apply to the Spyder too. Caused a colleague of mine to be stuck in the Alps for 2-3 days when the switch on his Cayman failed completely.

[HammerCJ]

Very helpful - thanks all.

[khushy]

on my Spyder - I have never had to depress the clutch pedal to start it up and its never been modded either - I am puzzled!

khushy

[Zyp]

khushy said:

on my Spyder - I have never had to depress the clutch pedal to start it up and its never been modded either - I am puzzled!

khushy

You have the Douglas Bader edition.

[Martian O]

Zyp said:

You have the Douglas Bader edition.

[Rockster]

Zyp said:

You have the Douglas Bader edition.

Only if the car has a hand throttle too.