27 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH2003 996 C4 Cab
Reported or suspected cause
noted
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
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Reported cause · Original poster
Oil was changed three times during ownership and no evidence of the RMS issue was noted.
Leading evidence: 'noted' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'noted' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check hook' (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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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Oil was changed three times during ownership and no evidence of the RMS issue was noted.
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.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
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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.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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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.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
i would get full service done on it including fluid changes, tires and inspect the car for leaks and battery.
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Suggestion
Then if the car was mine I would change all fluids that I could in DIY work and carefully drive the car between 2500 and 3000 revs for a few hundred miles.
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.
27 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
I returned to the dealer - issue was fixed by simply removing the hard top, putting it back on, and closing and opening the convertible top.
Hi all - I'm a new member and this is my first post on these forums.
Just bought a 2003 996 C4 Cabriolet with 10k miles on it from a small luxury/sport car dealership - seal gray with black interior. This is my second Porsche - the first being a 1984 944 that I had 12 years ago. That one was a maintenance nightmare that I hope not to relive.
The test drive was exhilarating... the handling was nothing like I'd ever felt in my life. Admittedly, I got caught up in the excitement of buying a car that I've always wanted to have. I did not get a PPI before buying (stupid, I know) but the service records are all there. This car is a 1-owner vehicle that is in incredible shape. Oil was changed three times during ownership and no evidence of the RMS issue was noted. According to the dealer, it was stored in a climate controlled garage.
When I went to pick it up the other night, I got a quarter mile down the road and the convertible top indicator light was on telling me that it was not in limit position. I returned to the dealer - issue was fixed by simply removing the hard top, putting it back on, and closing and opening the convertible top. After that, the back windows would not close - electric problem or the motor was somehow blown out in the process. I'm hoping that these aren't a sign of things to come - I guess I'm just nervous about reliving my maintenance nightmare!
So what I'm wondering is this:
How common are electronic problems in the 996?
10k miles on a car like this is a positive or negative?
Thanks,
Jon
Welcome to the clan! Don't know much about cabs....well don't know anything about cabs. A car with low miles given the age needs to be sorted. I would look at the serpentine belt / tires and go drive it. Don't drive the wheels off at first. Go for some long drives. Get the car good and hot. Look at putting some easy miles on the car before you starting hitting shifts at 6800 rpm's. Enjoy the car! PICS are always welcome.
Electrical Problems are not epidemic on these cars.
The rear windows will not go up if the top is open. Pointy sharp edges and lawyers may have had something to do with that.
The front top latch depresses a micro switch that tells the system that the top is closed and latched, either the hard top or soft top. Manually cycle the front latch a couple of times to make sure it is latched properly/completely.
If it still thinks that top is open the plastic covering on the hook part of the front latch may have broken off. Pretty easy repair if that is the case.
Take the hard top off and see if things work with the soft top. If so check the hook on the other top. If not the micro switch may need adjustment or replacement.
Some folks will chime in and tell you that a low mileage car is going to "OMG!!!" "IT WILL BLOW ANY MINUTE!?!" from lack of use.
Others will say they only buy cars with 250K on them to make sure the "infant" mortality issues have been taken care of.
Some, like me will say "Good Job!" "What was the PO thinking??" But at least he saved the car for you.
PS:
Was his name Phil by any chance?
i didn't experience too much electronic issues if any at all on the 996 cab.
it's probably a microswitch or fuse. if you take the hard top off, you can see if the window works. if so, it's something related to the hardtop. personally, i didn't take the hardtop because i find it cumbersome.
the low mileage is not a good sign. i would get full service done on it including fluid changes, tires and inspect the car for leaks and battery.
Thanks for the info. fpb111 - I'm also in Northern NJ... small dealership is in Morris County. No Phil involved.
I agree the 3 oil changes in 9 years is strange, but since the guy drove 1,000 miles a year and had a stable of other cars, I'm not too worried.
The cab was brought by the dealer to a legit Porsche repair garage nearby, so I don't have it back yet (hence no pics). Tempted to leave it there (even if it was only a microswitch or fuse issue) and have a full service done.
+1 on your comments!
To the OP, welcome to Rennlist. Remember, it hasn't happened until you post pictures... sounds like a beautiful car though!
Cheers,
TomF
Phil was on this forum a few years ago. Rumor had it that all of the miles on his car were from backing it out of the garage to wash, dry and polish it before pulling it back into the garage.
+996 have the full service done. It will essentially be your POST purchase inspection. But worth while in any case. Get your camera ready for when you get it back. Welcome to the forum.
Sounds to me as though you need to remove that top again for another test. All windows should be down after you remove the top. First off I can't stress enough that your battery has to be top notch and fully charged on these cabs. Try closing the top via the key in the door. Turn the key to the left/right (I forget which) and hold, and the top should fully close and then the widows should raise to the closed position including the rear windows. Then turn and hold the key in the opposite direction and windows should all go down and then the top should go down. Keep holding the key and the side windows (not the back ones) should start to rise up to full. The last movement of the side windows tells you that the top has completed its opening cycle. If on closing the top, the rear windows do not come up then the cycle has not been completed. It could be the plastic piece on the front hook is missing or broken or the slots where the top goes into either side of the front windscreen top needs tightening. (There are screws behind the slots.) If all is then working correctly, try the remote or the button on the dash to open and close the top. Get the top working correctly before putting the hard top back on obviously.
Then if the car was mine I would change all fluids that I could in DIY work and carefully drive the car between 2500 and 3000 revs for a few hundred miles. I would go as far as to change the brake fluid as well as the coolant. Its been standing in there for the past 9 years. I would advice on warming the car well before moving the wheels. Standing around for 9 years didn't do it any favours so keep your eyes on those gauges.
BTW I have the 99 cab. To activate the top may be slightly differant but the window procedure has to be the same.
Good luck and looking forward to seeing your car.
Finally got the car back from New Vernon Coach and Motor Works in Morristown, NJ. Was given a clean bill of health and was told I'd be hard pressed to find a better new old car, which was music to my ears! Had them do a minor service (brake fluid flush, oil change, full inspection, etc.).
This is an intimidating beast for the uninitiated such as me... I'm sure I will grow to love it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92067516@N05/8367522239/
