Am a relatively new
Boxster
owner. The car has 27K miles, no problems, a tremendous pleasure to drive.
Until an hour ago, putting the car away for the night: brake lights won't turn off, even though ignition's off.
Also, earlier in the afternoon, the spoiler raised and I'm unable to lower it.
Unable to lower the convertible top.
Yellow warning circular arrow -- PSM FAILURE
The red central locking switch remains on.
With the ignition off, there's a clicking sound from the rear of the car -- every 10 seconds or so -- as if a relay were trying to close/open.
The only variable factor from the normal day is that I washed the car this afternoon.
There is no moisture under the seat.
Suggestions re the problem? -- looks like there's a lot going on (wrong).
For the moment, is the best thing to disconnect the battery for the night( to prevent drain)?
Thanks in advance for your help & insight.
I would disconnect the battery and charge it. I'd bet its either failing or the alternator isn't charging properly. You get all kinds of weird electrical anomalies when your alternator starts to fail. Just a guess mind you but that's where I'd start. If you have a DVOM you can check the voltage back to the battery and see if it's in the high 13's, low 14s for voltage. Then start to turn on other accessories and see if the voltage drops dramatically.
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Edit: Previous post beats me to it while I was typing.
Whatever it is I think you can assume it is all related.
So that makes me wonder if washing the car is related or just a coincidence.
If a coincidence, I would first consider the battery. I know that sounds crazy, but I'm not saying the battery is dead. It isn't. But the car will experience CrAzY symptoms with the various control modules if low voltage exists.
If washing the car is material to the problem, I would suspect that the module that is in the trunk behind the carpet but up against the driver's side firewall may have gotten wet. Or perhaps one of the main wiring harness connectors to that module.
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In addition to the above posts, which I agree with, checking 1) battery condition 2) wet electronics
3) check that the rain drains on the car are not clogged, on the 987
Boxster
I believe there are 4 near the battery and 2 near the top when it's in "service position"
4) tailights stuck on + "PSM failure" is usually indicative of the brake light switch (under the pedal) being bad, but that seems unlikely with your low mileage and other simultaneous electrical issues.
I would add that you should check the "Rear Comfort Module" which is the one under the drivers seat. When I got my car I had trouble with rear lights, spoiler, seat heaters which all go through the RCM. This module can be affected by water coming in the cabin (check your drains
). If you open up the module casing you'll be able to see if its been affected (discoloration). Below is a photo I took of mine and on the right you can see. Someone had actually been in here before me and looks like they tried to clean it with a wire brush or something!
A follow-up:
Took the car into the shop yesterday. They found water under the front seats. Soaked.
(from just my washing the car??).
Drains holes clogged by an accumulation of debris from trees, etc.
Bottom line: major expense to remove seats, panels, etc to thoroughly dry things out to prevent mold etc.,
not easy in an especially wet Ohio autumn.
Then they'll see if the Rear Comfort Module is salvageable.
In any case, I'm looking @ $$$$$$ for lots of labor.
But it's a good shop -- have been going to them for over twenty years, and trust their analysis & work.
Many thanks for your prompt responses & suggestions. Very much appreciated. This is a terrific forum!
Can you let the car dry out for weeks, in low humidity environ? Or is it a required driver?
I purchased my 2013 BS in Dec 2017. The dealer ran my car through their car was two times the day I picked up the car. The following April I took the car out for a top down drive. As I was attempting to put the top down I experience all the issues you described with fault codes, top not opening/closing fully and spoiler going up and not closing. Off to the local dealer and due to water under driver seat RCM module was listed as cause. 3K+ to repair. I was lucky, my service tech suggested I contact car insurance company and file a claim under my comprehensive policy. Insurance adjuster and dealer working together agreed they would pay the claim. I only had to pay the deductible. Dodged a large expense there. This option might be a item to look into to reduce your exposure. I try not to wash the top only the metal parts of the car.
