Unusual engine starting sequence

Hi All- I've experienced a very unusual engine start-up sequence twice during my almost one year of ownership. Once during the first week and most recently this week and I wanted to see if any one else has experienced this on their car and/or have an explanation for it. After driving the car for a while (20 minutes or more) and restarting it 5 - 10 minutes later is when I experience this unusual scenario. I turn the ignition key and the starter turns over several times and stops even though I have not released the key back to the "on" position. I repeat the same sequence and this usually happens three or four times before the engine will turn over and when it does, it turns over for a lengthy 4 or so secs. before it fires up! When it starts, everything is normal from that point on. Should I be concerned about this? As I mentioned earlier it has only happened twice (about a year apart) and I don't know how I should address this situation. Thoughts? TIA for all comments.

Beats me. Its never happened to me in one year.

That doesn't sound normal. You may want to have your dealer take a look at it.

In the "pre-electronics days" I would have looked for a poor battery connection. My 356 did this a few times. Bad connection or dirty terminals. Worth a look maybe.

This exact same thing happened to me 2 days ago. My Cayman is 3 weeks old and I have not had any problems with it. The other night I went for a little drive (about 30 min. or so), stopped for about another 30 min., and when I went to start again, it seemed to try to catch, then stopped, 3 or so times, then finally started. Everything was normal after that. I don't know if the starter stopped by itself, or I let up on the key when I thought the engine started. But it took 3 or 4 tries to get going. I will see if it occurs again, and if so, will call the service department at the dealer, and post any info I get.

Engine Won't Turn The same thing happened to me. I've had my car for about a year and this is the second time. The first time was not as bad - it finally turned after 2 times. About 2 or 3 days ago, I couldn't get it started until about 4 or 5 tries. I took it to Bevery Hills Porsche yesterday and have not gotten a response yet. Had to pay for a loaner car $30 for a corolla, but I upgraded to an Audi convertable just for fun. I haven't heard back from the dealer yet, but will let you know what they say. When I dropped the car off the service guy was hesitant to take the car in. Because i could not repeat the problem at the dealership. I hope they can repeat the problem.

Happened to me this Saturday in a very remote, non cell phone area. Made me a bit concerned but after that no more occurrences. I was guessing that I did not completely get the key all the way back to the left position before retrying and that it was operator error.

Ive had the same thing several times. There have also been some other threads about this problem. In my case I suspect it was a heat soak problem. That is to say after driving the engine bay temp builds up and something is not operating correctly, unless its some overtemp protection in action. No mesage on the dash however. Was your day really hot?

Not in my case, it was cool mountain driving but it was aggressive driving for about an hour.

Hot climate was not a factor in my scenario. Just normal 70s Bay Area temp.

Me Too This has happened to me after I've been idling a while and then want to start off. Suddenly the engine can conk out, and when I go to restart it, it will not kick over. My salesmen told me that in the future, to do everything very deliberately..........turn the ignition slowly to the left, then back to the right. That seems to work when I'm in that jam.

Yes you must turn the key all the way to the left after it stalls. But this was for me was different. I suspect that I didn't really engage whatever electronic gizmo that checks that when I turned it left and I know what you are supposed to do. So I'm thinking it is very sensitive.

I've had this before (and again today) with a loud "clunk" at the end, almost like it starts, then dies. Not too concerned, almost seems like it starts, but not all the way.

That was what I had too but then it wouldn't start the next time I tried. After a few seconds all was well. But being in an isolated area that would require a significant hike for help I was reluctant to shut off until I got to a cell phone area again..that was wimpy and unlike my normal cowboy self. Shame on me or being smart?