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A horrible diagnosis!

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YOUR RESEARCHA horrible diagnosis!

Leading reported evidence

Replace only 01 c4

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Performed · outcome unconfirmed

I'll let you know what it's costing me on Thursday as I'm having my cam chain guides replaced only 01 C4.

A horrible diagnosis!
Frequently discussed work

Check torx bolts

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Suggestion

You could check torx bolts on seat rails and see if they look a little stripped, so at least you know the seat was out and is likely the thing was actually repaired.

A horrible diagnosis!
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Leading evidence: 'Replace only 01 c4' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'thing was actually repaired' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check torx bolts' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.

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Replace while they were in there

Performed · outcome unconfirmed

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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.

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Performed · outcome unconfirmed

I decided to also have the 4 tensioner pads replaced while they were in there because those were worn out already.

A horrible diagnosis!

thing was actually repaired

Suggestion or failed attempt

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Suspected cause
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.

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Suspected cause

You could check torx bolts on seat rails and see if they look a little stripped, so at least you know the seat was out and is likely the thing was actually repaired.

A horrible diagnosis!

Check torx bolts

Suggestion or failed attempt

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Discussions
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.

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Suggestion

You could check torx bolts on seat rails and see if they look a little stripped, so at least you know the seat was out and is likely the thing was actually repaired.

A horrible diagnosis!

Check under there

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Suggestion

I believe dme is under driver side seat, so would check under there after indy gives it back to you and see if it looks like it had been replaced.

A horrible diagnosis!
Frequently discussed actions (10)

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Check torx bolts

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Suggestion

You could check torx bolts on seat rails and see if they look a little stripped, so at least you know the seat was out and is likely the thing was actually repaired.

A horrible diagnosis!

Check under there

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Suggestion

I believe dme is under driver side seat, so would check under there after indy gives it back to you and see if it looks like it had been replaced.

A horrible diagnosis!

Repair 986/996 dme ecms

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Suggestion

We've been repairing the 986/996 DME ECMs for this problem for $375 over the last 10-15 years for Porsche dealers, independents, and Porsche owners.

A horrible diagnosis!

Repair 993 immobilizer

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Suggestion

We do repair the 993 immobilizer.

A horrible diagnosis!

Repair depending

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Suggestion

The variocam pad/soleniod service seems to be a $3-5k repair depending on your indy.

A horrible diagnosis!

Repair the majority (>90%) of its failures are water damage

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Suggestion

With regard to 996 immobilizer repair, the majority (>90%) of its failures are water damage, so we don't repair them.

A horrible diagnosis!

Replace ), some electrical cleaner

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Suggestion

Also, seems you're deep in the woods already but I had 1539 and it went away on its own with an oil change, a new seal (very easy to replace), some electrical cleaner on the connector, and finally some spirited driving.

A horrible diagnosis!

Replace a new seal (very easy

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Suggestion

Also, seems you're deep in the woods already but I had 1539 and it went away on its own with an oil change, a new seal (very easy to replace), some electrical cleaner on the connector, and finally some spirited driving.

A horrible diagnosis!

Replace cam chains too

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Suggestion

I�d also change the cam chains too.

A horrible diagnosis!

Replace oil....it also requires the cam cover

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Suggestion

The soleniod sits on top of the actuator and can not be fixed by changing the oil....it also requires the cam cover to be removed to replace.

A horrible diagnosis!
Reported and suspected causes (1)

These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.

thing was actually repaired

No successful repair reported for this finding.

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Identified cause
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Suspected cause

You could check torx bolts on seat rails and see if they look a little stripped, so at least you know the seat was out and is likely the thing was actually repaired.

A horrible diagnosis!
Coverage and how to read this overview

Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.

14 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.

  • Rennlist: 1 discussions

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1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.

Outcome without a verified action link

That did not fix the issue of course, but it probably needed new plugs anyway.

Quoted acknowledgement is not verified as the original poster

Generation: 20261026T155324Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources

POST 1 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

It started with a check engine light that was read to be 1539. That pointed to a cam adjuster on the right bank. I took it an Indy here in southern Oregon and today I got the bad news. The solenoid shorted internally ( 0 ohms) causing the ECU to overload and burn a circuit. It's being shipped to be rebuilt ($700) and then mechanic is going to get into the motor to replace the solenoid. What an unpleasant surprise. It's a '99 Cab with just 60K Bob

POST 2Original post

Is the engine going to be removed from the vehicle? Now would be the best time to address the VarioCam wear pads (aka �chain ramps�). I�d also change the cam chains too. Edit: In another thread, Porschetech3 mentioned to stick an inline fuse of 1 amp between each cam adjuster solenoid and the ECU. It�ll prevent your next ECU from being damaged by the same problem. (I need to do this too�) https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...l#post19582029

POST 3Original post

The variocam pad/soleniod service seems to be a $3-5k repair depending on your indy. Thats usually both sides and is mostly a labor charge. It sucks it burnt the dme but there r much more expensive things tht can happen to these motors.

POST 4Original post

I'll let you know what it's costing me on Thursday as I'm having my cam chain guides replaced only 01 C4. Not excited about this one but you have to do it or risk major issues down the road!

POST 5Original post

I call BS (not on your post OP, but on indy). Also, seems you're deep in the woods already but I had 1539 and it went away on its own with an oil change, a new seal (very easy to replace), some electrical cleaner on the connector, and finally some spirited driving. You have a low mileage '99 and IMO it is very, very likely you just needed to drive the thing as the actuator may have been gunky. I could be wrong. Something you'll learn about 996's is often times, the problems fix themselves with simple driving. These cars do not like to sit. Sorry this happened to you and I hope it all works out. Will not be inexpensive so do as you please. I believe dme is under driver side seat, so would check under there after indy gives it back to you and see if it looks like it had been replaced. Given that it's being repaired, it probably won't look new so idk, you know your car...just take a peek and see if it looked like someone actually went under there. You could check torx bolts on seat rails and see if they look a little stripped, so at least you know the seat was out and is likely the thing was actually repaired. Look we live in weird times and people are hurting for cash. He's going to charge you for an engine out procedure and it won't be cheap. Just trying to stick up for you.

POST 6Original post

Quotes source post: 19675117

Assuming the diagnostic work is correct its been determined that the variocam soleniod is bad (this happens) and it burnt the dme (also happens)....btw, the dme is in the back shelf and the alarm module is under the seat. The soleniod sits on top of the actuator and can not be fixed by changing the oil....it also requires the cam cover to be removed to replace. At that point the variocam pads would only be a few more minutes to replace. If the dme was pulled for repair it should be sent to Ecudoctors in FL and they will do their own diagnostic. If its not burnt up it will only cost $99 and at that point the op can choose how he proceeds.

POST 7Original post

I stand corrected on dme location, but 1539 is a variocam fault code on bank 2 and is not always a solenoid problem. Could be the actuator, hence the rec for oil change and spirited driving. I was referring to seal that slips through the connector that is visible outside the engine. An oil leak there could cause an issue and make it more difficult for the actuator to work properly, throwing a 1539. Op please update thread on if ECU turns out to be bad. Not sure where your indy is sending it. Fingers crossed it is Ok. If ok i still stand by rec to replace seal and change oil/drive it. Again 60k miles is low and that would be my first order of business. If he does cam cover by just lowering engine mounts very likely you will have a cam cover oil leak upon install, unless he is skilled, which I'm hoping he is. I also don't understand how a variocam solenoid would short the dme. still refuse to buy into the "the things happen narrative" with these cars, sorry. And that's coming from me, someone in process of fixing mine (cracked bank 1 head near spark plug hole 3). not that it matters but I've concluded that it's because of my mishap with my aos/hydrolocking the engine with oil, or the water pump blade theory and the car overheating without me knowing it. nothing just happens out of thin air. there is always a why.

POST 8Original post

Quotes source post: 19674049

We've been repairing the 986/996 DME ECMs for this problem for $375 over the last 10-15 years for Porsche dealers, independents, and Porsche owners.

POST 9Original post

Quotes source post: 19677225

What do you charge for diagnosis?

POST 10Original post

Quotes source post: 19677225

@systemsc Do you also do "Immobilizer by-pass " on the Porsche DME's...... and or Immobilizer repair ? Is so, what is the cost ?

POST 11Original post

Quotes source post: 19674049

Happened to me as well. Mine is also a 99 Cab, around the same mileage too. Although my code was a P1531, and I needed to have the solenoid replaced. Then 6 months later, a P1530, but this time, the solenoid failed and I ended up having the DME fixed (ECU Doctors) due to a burned transistor. I decided to also have the 4 tensioner pads replaced while they were in there because those were worn out already. I remember getting misfire codes on all 6 cylinders at the same time, which prompted me to get the plugs and coils changed. That did not fix the issue of course, but it probably needed new plugs anyway. That was probably 4 years ago and everything has been good since.

POST 12Original post

Quotes source post: 19677379

We don't do "immobilizer by-pass". With regard to 996 immobilizer repair, the majority (>90%) of its failures are water damage, so we don't repair them. We do repair the 993 immobilizer.

POST 13Original post

Quotes source post: 19677821

Off topic, but it surprises me that none of these PCB assemblies have any conformal coating. Worse case for water damage would be connectors. Arathane or Parylene would be more than adequate for the job.

POST 14Original post

Quotes source post: 19677928

Yes, that would be very helpful, but water always finds a way to cause damage to electronics. How about the Porsche engineers not mounting electronic modules on the floor?

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