Multiple Electrical Problems, Including Starting, Solved
Discussion
I live in a suburb of New York City and have a recently acquired 2005 997 Cabriolet C2. My trouble began with the car not recognizing my key for the purpose of unlocking the steering wheel and starting the car. It was an intermittent problem that I could solve by inserting the key multiple times until the system recognized it and the steering wheel lock unlocked and I could start the car. I had other electrical anomalies, such as the front trunk and rear engine lights did not work and the PASM and Sport Chrono Plus "Sport" button no longer functioned. Finally on one fateful day, I had the 997 parked on a busy street in a parallel metered parking place and I could not get the key to operate the steering wheel lock system or start the car. A Porsche mechanic came to my 997 and found that the only way to unlock the steering wheel and start the car was to reset the DMS by disconnecting the battery, waiting 15 minutes and then reconnecting it, after which the key caused the steering wheel to unlock and the 997 to start. My 997 went straight to the shop. I expected the worst.
Diagnosis and repair: bad ignition tumbler and control module. Not a big cost repair.
This module has an impact on multiple electrical systems in the 997, including the trunk and engine lights, as well as the PASM and Sport Chrono Plus systems. Its electronics is what causes the steering wheel lock to unlock and the key to activate the starter motor.
Problem solved and fixed. I was told by a Porsche agency that this is a common failure in the 997 and that an important clue was that the trunk and engine lights were out and that when it goes completely out, neither PASM nor Sport Chrono Plus electronic features will work. This part is a small black plastic encased box with multiple electrical connections on the back and a key tumbler installed in the middle of the front of it. It is not the former mechanical tumbler system as it bears electronic functionality and connectivity.
Cicerosecundus
Diagnosis and repair: bad ignition tumbler and control module. Not a big cost repair.
This module has an impact on multiple electrical systems in the 997, including the trunk and engine lights, as well as the PASM and Sport Chrono Plus systems. Its electronics is what causes the steering wheel lock to unlock and the key to activate the starter motor.
Problem solved and fixed. I was told by a Porsche agency that this is a common failure in the 997 and that an important clue was that the trunk and engine lights were out and that when it goes completely out, neither PASM nor Sport Chrono Plus electronic features will work. This part is a small black plastic encased box with multiple electrical connections on the back and a key tumbler installed in the middle of the front of it. It is not the former mechanical tumbler system as it bears electronic functionality and connectivity.
Cicerosecundus
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