997.1 CARRERA S TIPTRONIC NOT STARTING IN PARK BUT OK IN NEUTRAL

[singh]

H Everyone,
Hoping this note finds all well in these crazy current times!?

I'm a new first time Porsche owner, finally found a 997.1 Carrera S which I was happy with , I did post on here before ref it was a Hartech Engine rebuild etc..., coupled with the looks and condition of the car I finally made the leap.
It's not perfect as it does need some bits still doing to it in time, but one of the things I noticed with it was that on start up it some times did not start in Park, but ok when I placed into Neutral.
For instance this morning I took it out for a run and it started fine in park, got back after an hour drive, switched it off , and then tried to re-start in park, no joy, but fired straight up in neutral ?
Anyone here seen similar?
Sorry to say I'm sure there will be many further questions as I get into the ownership as time goes on!!!

Thanks,

Jas
PS :Not sure if it makes any difference but I keep it in the garage on a trickle charger.

 

[Timbo2]

I doubt its anything serious, could be the cable from gear lever to the tiptronic box needs adjustment, or there may be an isolator switch, not sure but I'm guessing someone on here will know the answer.

 

[singh]

Cheers Timbo2, that makes sense.
Jas

 

[Terrypavlis]

Hi Jas,
Had an identical problem with my 997.1. My local specialist sorted it out by cleaning and lubricating the gear connector rods that corrode over time. Once they are cleaned you will find that the gear lever becomes a little easier to move and select drive, reverse etc and cures the park starting issue.
Good luck

Terry

 

[singh]

Hi Terry,
I was hoping it would be a simple fix , or at least the option of one, my Indie suggested a new switch at £170 + fitting+vat.
Will ask for this next time I'm in.
Very useful!
Thanks,
Jas

 

[singh]

Although, saying that to be fair it started every time for them in Park, so they could not identify a problem in the first place.
The issue is a little sporadic!

Jas

 

[gar19gj]

I also had this problem which was intermittent. Had the linkages cleaned, lubricated but the problem returned a month or two later. New linkages cured the problem completely and made the gear change much smoother.

 

[singh]

Thanks gar19gj, glad it's not me doing something wrong causing the intermittent problem, will get my indie to try these methods first before opting for the new switch!
Cheers.

 

[Timbo2]

just to add, the rear linkages do corrode and become stiff, so the question is, is you gear selector stiff! does it get worse when the car is hot?

 

[singh]

No , I have not noticed any stiffness in the gear selector when either hot or cold.
My local Indie, who are really good , especially the fact that I'm a new/first time owner so I think fully understand my worries/concerns did suggest it could be the switch , but as mentioned when they had it in it seemed to start ok in park.

My thoughts were possibly to see if the above suggestions could solve the problem by giving it a go, if not then possibly go for the new switch strategy.

 

[Timbo2]

I would get them to clean and lube the rear linkages.

 

[singh]

Quick update , I had her in yesterday , and it looks like it's the cable in the gearbox , to sort they would have to remove the centre unit in the car , a few hours work .
So was advised to leave for now as the problem is intermittent and can be sorted at later stage.

Jas

 

[Timbo2]

do you mean cable in the gearbox, or cable in the centre console, a very knowledgeable guy on another forum (DeMort, ex Porsche) indicated that sometimes a nut on the end of the gear selector over tightens itself and just needs to be backed off a half turn, might be cheaper than a new cable!

Quick update , I had her in yesterday , and it looks like it's the cable in the gearbox , to sort they would have to remove the centre unit in the car , a few hours work .
So was advised to leave for now as the problem is intermittent and can be sorted at later stage.

Jas

 

[singh]

It sounds like from the description from my Indie that it's not clicking into gear as smoothly as it should, for example when putting into reverse you sometimes get the 'gear selector is not engaged' warning , so I was told it's the cable in the centre console that needs tightening, I think just getting to it is the time consuming bit.

 

[Lancerlot]

Quick update , I had her in yesterday , and it looks like it's the cable in the gearbox , to sort they would have to remove the centre unit in the car , a few hours work .
So was advised to leave for now as the problem is intermittent and can be sorted at later stage.
Jas

There's a piece about centre console removal here [] https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=644693
Regards,

Clive

 

[singh]

Thanks for that Clive,
However me and a set of tools is a recipe for , calling an ambulance or a ruined 911, whichever comes first !!
Same goes for any kind of DIY for anything, from a blokes perspective it's hard to admit to , but I know what I'm not good at!
But it is good to know at least what is involved when it does get looked at, saying that it's been fine since I started this thread, it's all the positive 'vibes' which may have just sorted it!
Cheers,
Jas

 

[singh]

Quick update on this.
The problem got worse , so had it back in and they have changed the Transmission Selector Switch , first run out and all seems to be ok , but will drop a further line if there is still issues, fingers crossed this has sorted it.