starting issues, possibly immobilizer related

Hello & best wishes for a happy New Year! I come to you today, for some guidance. lol. I have a MY99 996 C2 tip, that will not start. Starter will not even engage. More background on the car is available here , as I had listed it in the Marketplace about a month ago. Previous symptom was the engine would turn over, but not fire. Squirt of starting fluid confirmed the car wasn't getting fuel. Maybe I should've checked the relay first, but I'm never that lucky, so I replaced the fuel pump. Car still would not fire. So I tracked down the fuel pump relay, and replaced it with one from another car, and it started right up. I noticed moisture in the area of the relays. Previously I had noticed that the front carpet seemed damp and assumed that the sunroof drains need to be cleaned out. Well here we are weeks later. I removed the drivers seat and although the immobilizer wasn't submerged, there was a fair amount of water around it. I removed the unit, separated the plastic housing noticed light corrosion beginning. After drying out thoroughly, I used a light brush to clean it off, then drenched with electrical contact cleaner. Reinstalled with same result. Maybe it's possible that my original issue wasn't really the fuel pump or relay, but also immobilizer related...? So here are my questions: Sunroof drain hoses & moisture. 1. What has to be removed to access the front sunroof drain tubes where they exit the car? Seen several posts on this, but I couldn't find any that showed the pipe exiting the car, or just inside the car. 2. Is each side a solid piece of pipe from top to bottom or is there a joint just inside the car? I ask this because of the moisture around the fuel pump relay. Maybe the water is coming from someplace else. However the area around the battery is dry and those drains are clean & clear. 3. Are there drain plugs or grommets on the undercarriage that would allow water to drain out? Not that it matters now, as I used a few towels to soak up the water, but still was curious about it. 4. Is the sunroof seal considered to be problematic in these cars? Ignition switch 1. I've noticed several posts on the ignition switch issues and would like to rule that out as well. Immobilizer 4. Will the software & cable that most people use here, confirm whether the unit is good or bad? 5. I would imagine with there have been water down there, it's likely the issue. But if it checks out okay, where is the next place to look? 6. Is there a way to test the immobilizer using the original key via alarm functions or test light to an ECU pin? If the unit is defective, can I buy a used one and have it programmed to match my ECU & Key? 7. I've seen complete packages on ebay, but don't want to get into swapping out anything on the ignition switch or column. But if I went that route, what is involved with that, does that mean that everything must be reprogrammed to my engine? 8. Lastly, are these items that an Indy shop could carry out, or franchised dealer only. Obviously since this is a 16 year old car, and one that I'd prefer to eventually sell anyway, it'd be nice to keep the labor cost effective as possible. I'm competent with most mechanical tasks and computer skills, but not much of a voltage/ohm meter kind of guy. Any guidance with either of the issues would be appreciated. Thanks! And again, Happy New Year!

Okay, maybe I asked too much at one time. If we could start at the top and work down, that would be great. Especially since this will be one of the last days above 50 degrees for a bit... Sunroof drain hoses & moisture. 1. What has to be removed to access the front sunroof drain tubes where they exit the car? Seen several posts on this, but I couldn't find any that showed the pipe exiting the car, or just inside the car. 2. Is each side a solid piece of pipe from top to bottom or is there a joint just inside the car? I ask this because of the moisture around the fuel pump relay. Maybe the water is coming from someplace else. However the area around the battery is dry and those drains are clean & clear. 3. Are there drain plugs or grommets on the undercarriage that would allow water to drain out? Not that it matters now, as I used a few towels to soak up the water, but still was curious about it. 4. Is the sunroof seal considered to be problematic in these cars?

did you see post #5 in this thread? https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...1-leaking.html this might also help: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...or-soaked.html

Quotes source post: 11924940

Thanks a lot for the links! I had seen the first one along with the illustration, but didn't know if the fender needed to be removed to get to where the hose exits or just the fender liner. I was hoping it would be visible in the A pillar when the door was fully opened. This car is black, and maybe it's just blending it. The second link I had not seen, but it looks like it will be a big help. Thanks for directing me that way. Bummer about having to completely remove the carpet, but it is what it is. I have the drivers seat out and will remove the passenger seat tomorrow as well as attempt to verify whether my hoses are intact or disconnected. Actually, I may go out in the dark & rain with a flashlight now. I'm curious about it. Thanks again!

Went out and looked at it again. If it's a flush grommet in the A pillar, then I guess I found it. Was expecting more of a protruding nipple like my Jetta has. The inside hose on the drivers side, near the relay panel seems to be connected and still taped in place, but there is a lot of moisture around that area and even above the steering column. If it's warm enough tomorrow I may have someone hose it down while I look around inside. Headliner has spots, that could be from water. May also try the weedeater line method to verify the hoses are clear and place a small heater inside to help dry it out a bit.