Locking system weird fault? Cooling as well

[colinbythesea]

Hi all,

After a couple of 924's and a 944 over the years, I have just bought a 2000 2.7. It is in good condition with a Porsche main dealer history. There are some things that I would like advice on before I try to get non existent faults fixed.

The first is very weird. The central locking works OK as long as I am near the window with the key. Only one key works even with new batteries in both. The strange thing is it just doesn't work for my wife. We have spent a lot of time with her replicating the way I use the key to no avail. At the weekend my wife's father had a go, no problem. Her step mum couldn't get it to unlock. Initially this has been funny as we suggest it's a mans car but the joke has worn thin now. It doesn't work from a long way away like my Focus does, however, was it still infra red at this time not radio. Anybody had anything similar and should the key work from a good distance away?

Secondly, the car had a new water pump due to a worn bearing and coolant leaking out according to the last Porsche centre receipt from a couple of months back. When I drove it home it decided to drop a bit of coolant from the pipe that exits above the offside rear suspension at the end of the journey. The level in the little window to the coolant in the boot showed minimum. I have not topped it up as it shows just below minimum cold and over maximum hot. I haven't noticed it drop coolant since and runs at a steady temperature even in slow city traffic. My old 944 used to dump some coolant if it was filled between the minimum and maximum but was fine left just below minimum on a cold engine. My own thoughts are a worn pressure cap on the coolant system, any ideas?

The car has a 3 month AA warranty so now is the time to get things checked.

Apart from this the Boxster is a fine car and very different to the 944 I had. Not sure if I like the almost invisible engine yet. I'll take the cover off soon just to have a look. I will also change my picture on the left when I take a good one of the Boxster.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

There is a Technical Service Bulletin on this subject which involves re-routing the antenna wire. If you would like details, drop me an email and I'll attach it to a reply.

Another way of boosting the output of the remote is to hold the key against your temple when you press the button. Don't laugh, it really does work - try it.

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: Richard Hamilton

There is a Technical Service Bulletin on this subject which involves re-routing the antenna wire. If you would like details, drop me an email and I'll attach it to a reply.

Another way of boosting the output of the remote is to hold the key against your temple when you press the button. Don't laugh, it really does work - try it.

Under the chin works as well - make sure the car park is free of people before experimenting.

The only time my coolant has not been sitting just under max when cold is when a good portion of it was on the tarmac due to a split tank. I do not believe it should be dropping coolant when operating normally, I would recommend getting it checked.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

I concur - I've never heard of them losing coolant except perhaps when new, or after having work done on the engine. Not lost, but you can get air bubbles in the system which take a while to dissipate (I had to put about 1/2 litre of water in after about 2000 miles when I first bought the car. Nothing since).
As you've had the water pump done this could be it - but the dumping coolant bit sounds worrying - that's just wrong and I would worry that it's because it's overheating.

 

[colinbythesea]

The view of the Porsche Centre that did the work about 2000 miles ago is it might have been overfilled and the fact it has stayed constant since is not a problem. They advised filling it to between min and max and see if it dumps again. I have to agree with mark it was a bit worrying getting a new (Used) car home and seeing it dump water on the drive. But it doesn't overheat and hasn't done it again. Interestingly, another Boxster we looked at did the same but I thought it was standing water in the bodywork. Anyhow I will top it up a little and see how it goes.

I also agree with mark about air in the system so it might have to settle down. 944 used to take a few miles to stabilise if the cooling system was filled however well I bled the air off. There is also the possibility the pressure cap is a bit old and tired causing the system to run at too low a pressure hence water expands more and tries to get out which the weak spring lets it do. A new cap is always worth a try but I still have to find the engine.

Thanks for the bulletin Richard. Porsche centre suggest new keys at a small fortune each!!!!!

I must admit that running a Boxster is different from the 944. That always had a massive list of jobs and you could guarantee it would break every time a big trip was planned.

 

[IainCameron]

ORIGINAL: colinbythesea

My old 944 used to dump some coolant if it was filled between the minimum and maximum but was fine left just below minimum on a cold engine. My own thoughts are a worn pressure cap on the coolant system, any ideas?

Colin,
Is your Boxster fitted with Aircon? If you have Aircon it could be water from pipework condensation that you are seeing on the ground and not engine coolant.

Happy Boxstering!

 

[colinbythesea]

No air con. I sacrificed it to get a later car and a 2.7. But thanks for the suggestion.

I did start out saying my Boxster must have air con but ended up without, however before that I did start out looking for a 944 Turbo!