CS Won't Start

This has happened a couple of times now under both cold and warm start situations (such as after a stall ). I turn the key to start the engine and the dash lights up as normal, but nothing. No signs of life whatsoever from the engine (i.e. does not crank). It acts like the clutch is not depressed, but it is. If I turn to the off position and try again, it may/may not work. Not sure what finally cures it, but after trying several panicked things (pull the key out and reinsert, rotate key 180 degrees, push the clutch out/in) it will finally start as normal. Any ideas what's happening/what I am doing wrong? I've tried to find my answer by using the Search tool, but not having much luck....

Happened to me first week of ownership.......you must turn the key all the way off and then try a restart. That should work everytime though, are you saying it doesn't?

After stalls (pretty frequent, especially when in reverse), turn the key all the way to the LEFT (counterclockwise) before restarting. This seems to re-initialize the electronics. I know, I had the same problem when I first got the car. After the key turn to the left, push the clutch all the way to the floor, and restart. Seems to work everytime. With a little practice, you can do all of this in one quick motion. Pete

Try turning the key to the left, then try again. This is also mentioned in an earlier post but I don't remember where it is. Also may be in owners manual. It happens to everyone. It's just a Porsche quirk.

Nice... You guys owe each other beer..... Yeah, there may be another issue. I was able to "unlock" my car with the key after a LONG stint of not driving it. However, it did not start. As it turned out the sirius radio was wired from a fuse that was not cut off after the ignition as I was told by the tech, and leaving it on caused the battery to go dead. In the end I had to do the recharge/pop-hood method described in the manual to get mine to start. Now I just use the aux power port for the sirius (I know, I know it doesn't shut off either).. And I pull the power from the jack when its not in use. Makes the radio travel better with me. I can Kojack the antenna and use it in my rental craps... Good Luck.

Well Thanks. The key will rotate CCW of the position the key rests when you insert it, and has a spring return. Not sure if this is the trick to the restart problem, but I tried it today when I had the problem again, and it did start. The bigger question is why does the car refuse to engage the starter at all... It happened 2x in 2 months before, now 2x in 24 hours. Good job for your first post on CaymanClub, caymancomando!

It is a "safety" feature. Something you have to learn and then it is second nature. The bigger question is why all the stalls? Can we help?

I wanted to refresh this post, since the issue has not gone away. Seems I can go days/weeks and the car will start normally, but every now and again (yesterday for instance) the car will go through a period where it simply refuses to crank on the first (second, third, etc) try. Turn the key all the way to the left and try again, will usually work. However there have been a couple of times this technique fails. I have yet to be stranded- after several attempts it will eventually start up. Frustrating. Any similar experiences? Ideas? I've only stalled twice since owning the car and those were in the first few weeks. I'm all better now, thanks for asking!

+1 on the engine not starting both on cold and hot starts , has happened about 4 times , my car is a 2008 cs with 2500 miles... when i turn the key to start the engine sounds like it knocks once and then nothing...true the second try starts it, but it doesnt feel like a very strong start, almost just barely starting... i have no idea whats goin on...especially since this is a new car... this is the 3rd issue ive had with the car since new...

Happened to me twice in 15 months -- and I didn't need to do the "left" stall recovery. ... No explation, but I plan to get it documented for warranty next time I need to go to the dealer.