"Please restart engine manually" notification

[elliotw]

Hi
I have a Boxster S 981.
I use the engine automatic stop-start feature (this is the feature that cuts out the engine when the car is at a stop to preserve fuel consumption, then resumes it as soon as you put your foot on the accelerator pedal).
On a few occasions, the engine has automatically gone off because I have been at a stop and when I have pressed the accelerator pedal it has not restarted. On such occasions, the dashboard has shown a message along the lines of "Please restart engine manually". The only way to restart the engine is to turn the ignition off with the key and restart everything (which normally includes turning off the electronic handbrake, too). When this happens on a busy road at traffic lights - which is invariably where it has happened - it can be very inconvenient as it takes a good few seconds to get the car up and running after initial flustering (and hooting from the cars behind).
Anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions to fix?
I guess one probable solution is to turn off the automatic stop-start feature, but I quite like that.
Thanks
Elliot

 

[elstonc]

This happened once to me as well. I decided it was because I'd done something unusual such as putting the parking brake on and taking my foot off the foot brake whilst the engine was in auto-stop. (And, yes, I too admit to a moment's fluster!)

Chris

 

[tjb]

Strange, not sure about the engine restarting when you put your foot on the accelerator as I have not used it in that way, I thought the engine only restarted as soon as you dip the clutch to engage gear before moving off again?

 

[elliotw]

Tim
I have PDK (and guessing Chris does too), so no clutch. Not sure how the auto-stop works for the manual gearbox.
Also, I almost never use the electronic handbrake and, on the occasions I do use it (e.g. because I am parking on a slope or because I need to release the brake following the "Please start engine manually" warning light), always have to try pulling/pushing to see how the light changes as I don't know which motion applies/releases the electronic parking brake.

 

[rob.kellock]

Elliot, I would suggest taking the car in to your friendly local Porsche Centre - I presume it is still in warranty.
I have PDK and the only time the warning message flags up is if, when stopped, I open a door or take the car out of gear. It shouldn't do what you are describing.
Electric handbrake is push on and pull off - completely counter intuitive as normally you would pull a manual handbrake on...
Good luck getting it sorted.

 

[tjb]

Apologies didn't note you had PDK so obviously my comment only related to manual box which we have, not familiar with how the stop start works on autos.