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.
I recently purchased a 1986 Carrera. It was a "barn find" and the extensive oxidation (aluminum oxide) has caused the throttle to be frozen. Any suggestions for removing the oxidation to free up the throttle body. I have heard of boric acid dip and electrolysis to remove aluminum oxide but I do not know if either has been tried on a frozen throttle body. Thanks in advance for your help.
Monday 01/26/2026 | 1986 | 911 Carrera | Other
I recently purchased a 1986 Carrera. It was a "barn find" and the extensive oxidation (aluminum oxide) on the motor has caused the throttle body to become frozen. Any suggestions for removing the oxidation to free up the throttle body. I have heard of boric acid dip and electrolysis to remove aluminum oxide but I do not know if either has been tried on a frozen throttle body. Thanks in advance for your help. ...
READ ANSWERThe battery is my 911 Carerra Cabriolet recently died and had to be replaced. The heated seats button / function now no longer work
Monday 01/26/2026 | 2006 | 911 Carrera S | Electrical
I am wondering if I somehow blew a fuse or shorted the switch with the surge of a jump and new battery.
READ ANSWERI recently purchased a 2012 Cayman Base with the 2.9 liter engine. Does this engine have DFI?
Monday 01/26/2026 | 2012 | Cayman | Engine
READ ANSWERI had bird excrement on the ragtop of my Boxster for 36-48 hours ( I was away so not sure exactly how long the stuff was on the car). I was able to remove the stuff itself but a faint, white spot remains on the ragtop. What is the best way to r emove that spot? Thank you.
Saturday 01/24/2026 | 2013 | Boxster | Other
No, thanks.
READ ANSWERWhat do I maintain/replace to extend my cars life?
Saturday 01/24/2026 | 2008 | Boxster | Other
I have owned my car for 14 years and theoretically would like to get another 14 years out of the car. I have maintained the car myself and it has proven to be highly reliable. Based on the cars age and mileage, can someone recommend a list of items that should be addressed that are not considered general maintenance items but have or could fail on a Boxster due to age?
READ ANSWER2004 Boxster S; fob doesn't work; immobilizer never wet (removed & checked); reinstalled immobilizer. Now when putting key(fob) in ignition, all dash lights up, radio & fan works, but car doesn't start - starter doesn't initiate. Do I need to reset the fob, ECU, immobilizer, or what? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Friday 01/23/2026 | 2004 | Boxster S | Electronics
READ ANSWERIs a door handle assembly for a 1987 924S the same as the door handle assembly on a 944 of similar vintage? I need to replace both the driver's and passenger's door handles.
Friday 01/23/2026 | 1987 | 924S | Body
READ ANSWERTail Light Passenger Side Blinker Malfunction
Tuesday 01/20/2026 | 1984 | 911 Carrera | Electrical
Right Rear Blinker not working. With Headlights OFF - When turned on, both blinker bulb and brake light bulb illuminate but Do Not flash on/off.With Headlights ON - Right Rear Blinker and Brake light bulb remain OFF.
READ ANSWERHow difficult is it to replace a fuel pump relay? Is the fuel pump relay difficult to get to?
Tuesday 01/20/2026 | 1987 | 924S | Electrical
READ ANSWERNeed help decoding this engine number. M96/25 61505842
Tuesday 01/20/2026 | 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 ANSWER