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.
How difficult is it to replace a fuel pump relay? Is the fuel pump relay difficult to get to?
Today | 1987 | 924S | Electrical
READ ANSWERNeed help decoding this engine number. M96/25 61505842
Today | 2005 | Boxster | Engine
I'm mainly interested to find out if IMS is serviceable or engine has to be taken apart for the modfel I'm considering to purchase.
READ ANSWERMy convertible top on my 2013 Boxster opens completely and here it latch but the top is still opening warning comes on and when driving over 45 a red warning comes on and won't reset saying the top is still opening. When closing this light or warning does not come on.
Monday 01/19/2026 | 2013 | Boxster | Electronics
Top seems to open completely and latch open but the waring light indicates it is still opening tried holding the button over as minute after the roof had been open still the light comes on.
READ ANSWERIs there such a thing as "Porsche approved or certified, body and Paint repair shops" ?
Monday 01/19/2026 | 2017 | 718 Cayman S | Paint
READ ANSWERI detected an oil leak under my car after it had a recent oil change. It is a 2013 Porsche 981 Boxster with the 2.7L engine. Is there a crush washer or particular torque spec the oil plug needs to be or cold it possibly be coming from somewhere else.
Monday 01/19/2026 | 2013 | Boxster | Engine
READ ANSWERbest shift mods for 996 Manual
Sunday 01/18/2026 | 2002 | 911 Carrera Cabriolet | Transmission/Clutch
I had the ball and socket come apart at the front shifter a year ago on my 2002 996 Cab. I bought the two connectors from Porsche ...Installed them and all was well...until It just happened again ... except now , when I removed the console the plastic connectors were all in place at the inside lever so... It's obviously not connected at the transmission end....I was not crazy about the use of Plastic/Delron in the shifter mechanisim...But it was a cheap fix to go original....I h ...
READ ANSWERAfter install aftermarket seats, passenger airbags don't work because there no signal to ECU that someone is sitting in the passenger seat. Is there any way to fix this so that the passenger airbags in the dash and door still work?
Saturday 01/17/2026 | 2015 | Cayman | Electronics
Recaro Sportster GT seats. Driver dash and door airbags work fine. The issue is the electronics are missing that detect someone sitting in the seat so you avoid the airbags going off if no one is sitting in it. Also, I guess this also is so some dummy doesn't put a child in the front seat. But I am not a dummy and don't have any kids to carry around. But I sure would like my wife protected when we go out to dinner. Has anyone found a way around this? ...
READ ANSWERWindshield Washer Low Pressure
Saturday 01/17/2026 | 1984 | 911 Carrera | Electrical
Could the pump be the problem?Replace or Remove and Clean?Windshield Washer Nozzle Pressure is low and takes awhile to prime with the drivers side being first receiving water with low pressure and passenger side not spraying unless I block off the passenger side.Headlight Washer has very Good Pressure on both headlights.
READ ANSWERSpoiler not working
Saturday 01/17/2026 | 2011 | 911 Turbo Cabriolet | Body
Spoiler stopped working on 2011 Porsche 997.2 turbo cab.Any suggestions?Thanks,Mike
READ ANSWER2002 Boxster not starting
Friday 01/16/2026 | 2002 | Boxster | Engine
My 2002 Boxster is garaged. Had been running fine. During winter only drove car about every three weeks. Due to time, had to unlock doors with key, then locked and unlocked with remote. Tried to start car. Alarm sounded. Removed key and clicked remote. Tried to start again. Heard "clicking" when turned key. Also heard windows start to drop as when door is opened. Noticed spoiler had raised. Lowered spoiler by switch. Tried to start again. Same clicking and window. No spoiler. Attempted to jum ...
READ ANSWERSeat control module / driver memory
Monday 01/12/2026 | 2018 | 718 Boxster S | Electrical
My driver memory functions don't work and the memory buttons on the door are non functional. Dealer troubleshooting points to a faulty seat control unit part number 970-618-537-13. Not a terribly expensive part online, but the part and labor at the dealer is expensive. Is this module fairly easy to replace DIY and is it plug and play or does it require coding to the car by a shop? Passenger side also has at least one broken switch, so I might replace that switch module as well if I kno ...
READ ANSWERWant to upgrade my 2011 PCM to include Android/CarPlay - is the best option to replace the PCM with an aftermarket Header?
Monday 01/12/2026 | 2011 | 911 Carrera 4S | Electronics
I have a 2011 911 4S - Love the car and use as a daily driver. I would like to add Android Auto to the PCM and am wondering if any of the aftermarket kits are worth the time to try and crack the PCM. Or, is it better to install a new head unit, despite it not interfacing 100% with the rest of the car and if there are other issues I might not be aware of in the changeover.
READ ANSWERI have two questions regarding a base 68 911 2.0 engine and a 69 2.0 T engine
Saturday 01/10/2026 | 1968 | 911 | Engine
I have questions regarding a 1968 911 engine and a 1969 911T engine.Question 1. What are the differences between the two engines?Question 2. What would need to be done to install 84mm piston and cylinders on the 911 T 2.0 engine?
READ ANSWERI have a 1986 Porsche Carrera 3.2 G body and I’m having great difficulty disconnecting the engine wiring from the chassis. When I disconnect the main engine wiring harness that connects to the chassis near the engine compartment fuse box I noticed that it is itself hardwired on the chassis side. I know that there is another wiring harness from the engine that connects to the front of the engine compartment however disconnecting this would have no effect on the main harness near the fuse box (se
Wednesday 01/07/2026 | 1986 | 911 Carrera | Electrical
I have a 1986 Porsche Carrera 3.2 G body and I’m having great difficulty disconnecting the engine wiring from the chassis. When I disconnect the main engine wiring harness that connects to the chassis near the engine compartment fuse box I noticed that it is itself hardwired on the chassis side. I know that there is another wiring harness from the engine that connects to the front of the engine compartment however disconnecting this would have no effect on the main harness near the fuse ...
READ ANSWERHow can we stop drips and moisture on a 986 hardtop?
Monday 01/05/2026 | 2001 | Boxster | Body
So i've had the boxster awhile. The soft top does good and still has original gears in top transmission. It works good and no leaks. I've added the hard top, and use it most of the time for where it is and work environment. When it rains the moisture is bad and it does drip at the corners. I've tried a few things to get it to stop but it just don't happen. I've taped it and it still leaks but not as bad. Any ideas on what can be done to help it seal better? The moisture gets in and on ...
READ ANSWERReference 1988 944S, at what interval should water pump be replaced when the timing belt is replaced? Also, what version of water pump, as I see there are different later styles as it pertains to open or blocked ports?
Monday 01/05/2026 | 1988 | 944S | Engine
READ ANSWERFairly new to the air cooled world. I have a 76 911S with the 2.7L engine. I've done all the common mods to make it run cool and have had no problems. My question is about having the valves adjusted. I plan to have a local shop do it and was told to have them adjusted every 10,000 mi or two years. Some sites say 7,500 mi with no time limit. It's been two years since mine were last done, only 3,500 mi driven and they sound fine. Should I go with the two year rule?
Sunday 01/04/2026 | 1976 | 911S | Engine
READ ANSWERI have a 1980 924 Turbo with what I believe is the original charcoal canister. These are now no longer available. Should I try refurbishing it? Or just leave it alone? 54, 000 miles.
Saturday 01/03/2026 | 1980 | 924 Turbo | Engine
Thanks for your help!
READ ANSWERHow to Diagnose Erratic Sound Output - Bose System
Saturday 01/03/2026 | 2003 | 911 Carrera Cabriolet | Electrical
Occasionally when starting the car, the radio/CD head unit lights up, but no sound. All wiring and fuses are good. Sometimes, after cycling the central locking via the remote key fob, a restart results in normal sound production. Once playing, all is normal until shutdown. Then a restart may or may not result in normal sound production. What is the most likely method of diagnosis?
READ ANSWER1970 911T engine upgrade
Saturday 01/03/2026 | 1970 | 911T | Engine
Hello PCA. Im in the process of pulling my engine out to fix some leaks and was looking to do some upgrades for more power. Looking for a step by step upgrade. I have no budget in mind just looking to get the most out of this engine. Current engine is 2.2. Do you guys have any advise for me? This is non numbers matching car so im happy to Frankenstein it a bit even upgrading the transmitter is on the table. Is there any good examples of this in panemera ? ...
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