Technical Q&A
Welcome to PCA's source of expert advice, where our PCA National Technical Committee experts answer your questions about all things technical.
Ecu issues?
Saturday 06/28/2025 | 2006 | Boxster S | Electronics
Car shut off on interstate. Moved to break down lane. Cranked numerous times without restarting. While starting "Oil Pressure too low for Start" flashed. Towed in, fuel gage had been cycling from 3/4 to 1/4 for a few days. Used Autel to pull codes, then cleared. Added some gas and started - no new codes, no messages. Driven short distances since then, idles rough, notice when sitting completely still, gage shows 1 or 3 MPH. Do ECUs go bad? Reprograming called for? ...
READ ANSWERLooking for advice on a DME report
Saturday 06/28/2025 | 2012 | Cayman R | Engine
I am looking at purchasing this Cayman R and would like some advice on this DME report.TIADon
READ ANSWERThe key will not open the deck lid. Has anyone trouble shooted one before? The inside switch still works.
Friday 06/27/2025 | 1994 | 968 Cabriolet | Body
READ ANSWERFix ac vents from leaking
Friday 06/27/2025 | 2002 | Boxster S | Heating and Ventilation
Would like to know the product that helps fix the ac vent from fogging windshield
READ ANSWERCertified Tampa Mechanic/Garage recommendation
Friday 06/27/2025 | 1986 | 944 | Other
Hi,New to Tampa. Need recommendations for certified mechanics in the area.Nothing difficult, just annual maintenance and install of belts and AC Compressor.Thanks for any guidance!Karlkfracke@hotmail.com
READ ANSWERCan cooling and /or lumbar support be added to a 996 or later seat, with or without heat already optioned? Where would the switches go? Can I do this myself?
Thursday 06/26/2025 | 2005 | 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet | Other
I’m searching for a 911 cabriolet ( possibly 996 or 997 ) with seats comfortable for my 6’6” slender frame. I would like lumbar support, heating and cooling.1) Can these features be retrofitted?2) Can I do it myself? I’m moderately experienced with working on cars, but not on Porsches.3) What cost might be entailed?4) Does the car need reprogramming when such changes are made?Thanks very much in advance for your time and for sharing you ...
READ ANSWERI have the electrical extendable radio antenna. This spring while driving, I got caught in in a heavy wind and rainstorm. Upon arriving home and backing into my garage, I failed to notice a broken low hanging tree branch in front of the garage door. Needless to say it caught the antenna and put a bend in it. This caused it to limit the up and down movement to only a few inches.
Thursday 06/26/2025 | 1988 | 924S | Electronics
Upon examination of the shafts I found the kink. By using a rubber jawed channel locks and lots of WD40 I was able manipulate the metal enough to get it to extend and retract almost completely. It will not move the last 4" or so up & down. I was able to pull or push the antenna by hand to get full movement. Now here's the bad part. When I turn the radio off, I step out of the car to push the shafts all the way down. One time I got over zealous on the push and put a perfect 90 degree bend ...
READ ANSWERConvertible top only opens 3/4 and stops if I press the close button a couple of times it will finish opening. When I close the top it closes half way and stops if I release button then pull again it finishes.
Thursday 06/26/2025 | 2014 | Boxster S | Electrical
READ ANSWER2006 BASE 987.1 6MT - Increased effort to shift, difficulty getting into 1st/Reverse
Wednesday 06/25/2025 | 2006 | Boxster | Transmission/Clutch
Over the last 150-200 miles, shifting into gear while stationary has started to require increasingly more effort. There is also a bit of chatter when releasing the clutch pedal to start from a stop on slight inclines. Is this an indication of a clutch that needs to be adjustment or wearing out of a pressure plate? Should I let the local Porsche dealership use their "Clutch Reset Tool" to adjust it? Or can an independent Porsche mechanic (near Long Beach, CA) ...
READ ANSWERNew to the Porsche scene - shop recommendation Hudson Valley NY
Wednesday 06/25/2025 | 2006 | Cayman S | Transmission/Clutch
Don't really know anyone in the club so could use a helpful hand. '06 Cayman S has what I'd call a concerning whine from the transmission/differential area that's directly related to wheel speed - not engine speed. It may be a noisy transaxle in general - again, new to the scene and Porsche in general. However I'd love to have someone with a bit more knowledge take a listen. Would it be possible get a recommendation for a shop that knows Porsche transaxles near the Hudson Valley? (Goshen NY) ...
READ ANSWER987.2 Boxster Reduced Engine Power, Base Fault Code P0084
Wednesday 06/25/2025 | 2012 | Boxster | Electronics
I received a reduced engine power indicator on my dash, when I scanned the fault code it indicated, fault code P0084. I replaced the VVT solenoid with a new one from Porsche, I also put a known good VVT solenoid out of another vehicle and the reduced engine power light keeps coming back on and off. Sometimes it will stay on for only a few seconds other times it will stay on 15 to 20 minutes. I do not notice any change in engine sound or performance when the indicator is on.I’ve had the DME sc ...
READ ANSWERClutch Guide Sleave Grease
Wednesday 06/25/2025 | 2011 | 911 GT3 | Transmission/Clutch
Hi, I was looking through the Workshop manual (WM304719) for my 997.2 GT3 for changing the clutch and guide sleeve. It called for Klüberalfa HM83-801 grease to be applied to the guide sleeve. I can't seem to find this for sale in the US. Is there a Porsche PN for this grease for the retail customer? Is there an acceptable substitute? It appears to be a rather thick high temp PTFE solids grease. I was thinking Krytox might have something, but all of their greases are thinner.Thanks< ...
READ ANSWERwhat does "Steering Support Restricted, Adapted driving permmited" mean?
Tuesday 06/24/2025 | 2016 | Boxster | Electronics
what does Steering Support Restricted Adapted driving permitted mean
READ ANSWERRattle behind driver seat near quarter window
Monday 06/23/2025 | 2019 | 718 Cayman S | Other
Hi! In my 718 Cayman S (2019) I have an intermittent rattle or buzzing coming from right behind the driver seat, ear level, sounding like the quarter window is loose. The window and trim seem tight. Been to the dealer twice, they said they added cushioning to a cable that runs under the quarter window, but the noise keeps coming back. It comes and goes sporadically but seems to happen more in sports mode or bumpy roads. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.Craig S ...
READ ANSWERWhat's the best way to reinstall the parking brake spring on the cable/lever side
Monday 06/23/2025 | 2007 | 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet | Other
I'm doing the rear wheel bearings, and I cannot for the life of me get the parking brake spring on the cable/lever side back in place.
READ ANSWERWheel swap back to front
Monday 06/23/2025 | 1983 | 911 SC | Wheels and Tires
I came across a set of 9x16 Fuchs wheels matte black for a good price. I noticed on this car I just acquired there are spacers on the stock rims installed. I wanted to get rid of these. A local air-cooled shop mentioned that I can move the rears which are 7x16 to the front and mount these new 9x16 on the rear without any issues. Can this be done?
READ ANSWERReplaced fuel level sending unit in 75 911, still shows empty. works fine when out of car with 12volts could it be the gasket not allowing a good ground
Monday 06/23/2025 | 1975 | 911 Carrera Targa (US) | Electrical
READ ANSWERI re-installed my Autothority stage 2 chips in my car, and the car would not start. When I put the stock chips back in, the car started and ran just fine. Is there a fix for this?
Sunday 06/22/2025 | 1988 | 944 Turbo S | Engine
I bought the Stage 2 chip directly from Autothority many years ago, but did remove it when emissions tested demanded it be removed to pass inspection. Now I’m hoping to reinstall it as the car has reached the age of exemption. Problem. Is that the car just will not start. I went back to the stock chip set and it starts and runs. I’m asking because I may not be the first one that has had this experience. ‘Is there a fix?should I do without,orgo a different direction ...
READ ANSWERBest scan tool
Sunday 06/22/2025 | 2008 | Boxster | Other
READ ANSWERRefitting Bose entertainment system
Thursday 06/19/2025 | 2006 | Cayman S | Electrical
The previous owner removed the Bose entertainment system and replaced it with an aftermarket touchscreen with nav, airplay etc. I don’t like it and want to reinstall the Bose, all the original plugs are unmolested as an adaptor harness was used. Will I need to reprogram the Bose in any way or is it “plug and play”? I should mention the Bose is the original from the car and not sourced from another. ...
READ ANSWER