8 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHIntermittent ignition failure
Leading reported evidence
Adjust fuel cap and it worked
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Again I adjusted the fuel cap and it worked again.
Outcome qualification: Negation, uncertainty or missing explicit repair resolution overrides the raw extraction signal.
Read full discussion summary
Leading evidence: 'Adjust fuel cap and it worked' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Adjust fuel cap and it worked' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
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 performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
However, with the complex CAN bus electrical systems used on modern cars the most cost-effective way to find the source of your problem is to run some Porsche-compatible diagnostics to check for error codes being flagged-up.
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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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
Will take a look at those suggestions - including double-checking the battery.
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
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
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Suggestion
As you say started with jump starter, thinking check earth connections and also battery strength.
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
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
However, with the complex CAN bus electrical systems used on modern cars the most cost-effective way to find the source of your problem is to run some Porsche-compatible diagnostics to check for error codes being flagged-up.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
However, with the complex CAN bus electrical systems used on modern cars the most cost-effective way to find the source of your problem is to run some Porsche-compatible diagnostics to check for error codes being flagged-up.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Rather than an ignition fault, since the problem appears to clear when you remove and then replace the fuel cap there could be an issue with the Evaporative Emission Control [EVAP] system.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
However, with the complex CAN bus electrical systems used on modern cars the most cost-effective way to find the source of your problem is to run some Porsche-compatible diagnostics to check for error codes being flagged-up.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
However, with the complex CAN bus electrical systems used on modern cars the most cost-effective way to find the source of your problem is to run some Porsche-compatible diagnostics to check for error codes being flagged-up.
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.
8 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Porsche Club GB: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 1 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
Incidentally try it also on the 997 setting as that worked for the tiptronic.
Morning guys.
I have a 2004 996 C4S. New battery just over a year ago.
Two weeks ago, I topped up fuel and then the car would just not start. The electrics came on, but not the ignition at all. I repeatedly tried turning on but nothing, so I assumed it must be the fuel cap or flap wasn't set properly. Went outside, took off the cap and put back on and the car was starting again - okay, problem solved?
Next day went out in it, went fine, and then on return journey, the car again won't start. Again I adjusted the fuel cap and it worked again.
Third time, topped up on fuel again and the car now started without issue. Drove to get some air in the tyres, but now the car would not start again past the electrics. I was at this for a while until I tried the jump starter and the car started fine without issue.
Does anyone here have any advise on what this could be? I assume it is nothing to do with the fuel cap, and maybe a starter ignition needing to be replaced?
Thanks in advance!
PS I don't know if this is related, but I am also having intermittent indicator faults with the RHS indicator. Sometimes, the stalk will flash and I will hear it clicking, other times it will not, and this affects the actual indicator lights on the car.
Thanks.
Hi,
Rather than an ignition fault, since the problem appears to clear when you remove and then replace the fuel cap there could be an issue with the Evaporative Emission Control [EVAP] system.
However, with the complex CAN bus electrical systems used on modern cars the most cost-effective way to find the source of your problem is to run some Porsche-compatible diagnostics to check for error codes being flagged-up. Unless you want to invest in one of the many DIY diagnostic tools available, your local Porsche Independent should be able to help you and also look into the intermittent indicator fault.
It’s also worth making sure that your battery is in tip-top condition and charged fully.
Good luck!
Jeff
When you say ignition did not come on how do you know there was no ignition power?
Are you saying all the dash lights lit normally but car would not turn over?
As you say started with jump starter, thinking check earth connections and also battery strength.
For RHS indicator fault do the indicator lights illuminate but not flash, or not illuminate at all? Had indicator stalk unit fail on neighbours 996 and also our 986 and similar symptoms.
That is a pretty random collection of faults, and I can't see an obvious common connection.
I think I would be tempted to try a new ignition switch. The contacts can break up inside causing all sorts of electrical gremlins. It is a very common problem, and there is a DIY in the Technical Articles section.
Get yourself a OBD reader. For my 996.1 I have a ICarsoft V2 POR and there is now a V3 available. At about £150 it will probably pay for itself the first time it is used and certainly mine did, allowing me to diagnose a fuel problem and then separately I was able to clear a Tiptronic fault without a trip to OPC. It really has paid for itself and is easy and quick to use. Incidentally try it also on the 997 setting as that worked for the tiptronic.
(As Richard suggests) There is a lot of suggestion that the base of the ignition switch can fail giving random electrical issues. There is a quite a lot on line about this and you need the right one for your car - but it could be a cheap fix - you can geta VW part I believe for some models.
https://www.design911.co.uk/p/ingition-starter-switch-porsche-boxster-986-987/?source=doofinder
- It is a diy job if you can do yoga, have a head torch and a flexible torso. Just a screwdriver up under the dash in the drivers foot well, head down feet up.. Hope this helps
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
