Two questions.........................

Firstly, I am fairly new to 996 ownership and still finding my way around the car. I noticed that the cigarette lighter is always on even if the ignition is off and key removed. Is this normal for a MY99 C4? Is there any way of changing it to off when the key is removed? Secondly, I have noticed a rattle when on the motorway when I depress the accelerator, the noise appears to be coming from behind me. After reading many scare stories about IMS I am slightly concerned The car has had a re-con engine supplied and fitted from Hartech over 2 years ago and has been serviced there since. I am due a service next month but currently in Scotland therefore most likely @ Kenny Dunn. Should I wait until this service to further investigate or take it in asap? Thanks in advance for advice/comments :thumb: Andy

Q1) I believe this is live all the time,handy tho if you want to trickle charge using a trickle charger that has a cigar lighter connection Q2) There's also a few other Porsche Specialists other than Kenny Dunn,I myself use Peter at Motortune in Shotts,very good rates and he knows his Porsches inside out :thumbs:

Early 996's have the cigar lighter switched with the ignition but later ones were live. Are you sure you are not just looking at the small light that is on the lighter socket? See if this go out when the car is locked when the other interior lights go out? TB

I had the same thoughts about my cigar lighter. But as I hate these things anyway I chucked it and bought a little torch from Porsche (about £30) which fills the hole and stays charging when engine on. It gives off a blue glow when in situ which is nice at night and is a handy little item to have in the car at night when searching for stuff in the boot or back seats or just getting to your front door.

whilst all answers thus far are relating to the cigar lighter Q2 May be anything from a loose baffle, sticky tappet,loose air filter housing or your worst fear or something else. Have look in the engine bay for any obvious signs but if the noise is apparent when you accelerate you should investigate ASAP. Drive steady to a reputable indie if at all.

Adey, thanks for the reply with regards to the rattle, I'm booking the car in for a major service + polyrib + spark plugs next week and I'll get them to investigate further. Fingers cross it's nothing serious :?:

In my experience Hartech are top guys and as they fitted the new/relacement engine I'd give them a call first and have a chat.

The rattle could be the sound of your money draining out of the back when you press the right pedal uh:

Try Motortune in shotts, used them for three years now and never been anything other than delighted and as rodders says, peter knows these cars inside out, mine actually going in there tomorrow for a full service and clutch

Thanks for the comments, Steeleez, your probably not far wrong with your comment If it was practical I would take it down to Hartech but Its just too far. There seems to be a lot of good feedback for Motortune, I might give them a bell on Monday and get a quote.

I'd speak to Hartech on the blower first off I understood that it was inpractical to take it there given your circumstances but I am sure they will guide you in diagnosis and best course of action. As said they are well respected on here and would surely help out all they can. Good luck and sleep well we all know the feeling it's like having a poorly child before seeing a doctor.

I'll give them a call tomorrow :thumb:

I'm intrigued! The verdict was? They do have an arrangement that you can hire a car for £15 a day as I recal. Hartech would be my first call as they fitted the engine

Could be a heat shield vibrating, had this before when a stone got stuck in between. Not everything has to be expensive uh:

I'm planning to give them a call tomorrow to discuss, fingers crossed for a cheap and easy fix. :roll: