Broke down on the way to my holiday in Cornwall

Absolutely gutted. I'm having a terrible month, mother dying, work issues and much more, so was very much looking forward to my holiday in Cornwall for ages, for me to relax and enjoy the 996 and for my 16 year old daughter who had just finished her GCSEs just a week Saturday to Saturday. Planned everything, got a major service done at William Francis last week to make sure the car is tip top (£900 odd), cat in cattery (nightmare). Left Saturday morning at 5 o'clock to ensure a relaxing drive from suffolk to St Ives, all was going well until we hit the A303, got past Stonehenge (207 miles into the journey) at about 9, suddenly the car loses all power, I coast to a stop and managed with my 16 year old daughter to push the car into an off ramp for Yoevil A37 (middle of nowhere). Tried starting but not so much as a click and the spoiler had not retracted. Called GEM the breakdown service I pay for (premium car to garage, occupants to destination). Initially superb, a mechanic turns up from a company called Rivermead, he was truly excellent, the OBD didn't read (in any mode) so he went through all he could, eventually he went to the fuse box and found C1 (fuse 1 block C) was blown, tried replacing that and the car started perfectly on all 6, then we noticed smoke coming out from the right hand side of the engine and the fuse blew again so obviously there was a deeper issue than fuses, after that replacing the fuse did nothing because just turning the key to the start position blew the fuse with no attemt for the motor to start. He narrowed it down to the ignition circuit and tried coils which he could reach by removing the coil protection plates but after that didn't work he was scuppered without better access. So .. it goes back to GEM for recovery to a garage, now approaching 12 pm I make calls to garages and eventually find William Crawford which appear to be the only option in cornwall by now it's gone 12:30 so we wouldn't get to william Crawford before they close at 4 anyway. GEM contacted me about this time to state that the ONLY option available was a company who would pick the car up (albeit quickly within an hour) BUT they would only agree to deliver the car to William Crawford on SOME day between Monday and Friday. A ridiculous situation with my needing to leave Cornwall on the Saturday but my only option so I agreed. The company that turned up within the hour was AGAIN Rivermead and they were AGAIN truly excellent, the guy loaded the car with extreme care (even though the tow ring had been lost), the driver took as to a train station and gave us some great advice, Rivermead were a ray of sunshine on a terrible day. Anyway, car gone, touring holiday gone my daughter and I spent the next 5 odd hours on the train getting to our holiday home in St Ives. How the hell I get the car to William Crawford, get the car fixed and have a holiday then get the car back to Suffolk is yet to be decided.

Update: Finally Rivermead agreed to deliver the car to Williams Crawford today (Monday), I breathed a sigh of relief, end of major issue II thought. Too ealry though, called William Crawford to organise and they think they can't look at it for two weeks! this would mean a non holiday and my car being 400 miles away when I return home next Saturday. I have to call them tomorrow morning but it's not looking like there's anyone who can/is willing to help.

Unfortunate circumstances. If it was me I would arrange car to be shipped, even if my cost, back to my local OPC or Indie then try and enjoy the remainder of the holiday as best as I can.

Yeah good shout Mike, unfortuantely I was really hoping to use the car in Cornwall and trying to tie the recovery delivery to the garage which took ages then I timed out. I have just reached the "sod it" stage and booked a ford focus for the remaining 4 days to do (part of) what you suggested but unfortunately if William crawford don't end up helping me out then it will be a train back at some stage and hell in the middle (as I live in a village which has no transport).

I recall someone else with the same problem, some while ago. The problem in his case was that the wiring to one of the Variocam solenoids had chafed through where it was attached to a bracket, and earthed out. Fuse C1 is for the DME (Engine ECU), and it blew, causing the engine to die. I have also heard of it happening on an early model Boxster.

Ah that's interesting thanks Richard. So the mechanic should just be able to put a new fuse in, unplug the solenoid and it should work (albeit badly).

Oh no, not that simple I'm afraid. It wouldn't run well with the Variocam disconnected on one cylinder bank, and disconnecting it wouldn't solve the problem anyway. The fault is/may be in the wiring between the engine ECU and the solenoid, so it will be shorting to ground until it is repaired. I think it might be worth suggesting they take a quick look in that area, just in case it is a quick wiring fix.

I see, of course, we are not debugging the solenoid but the wiring leading to the solenoid. It was a lot of electrical smoke for just a wire shorting to ground though and odd that the first time the fuse was replaced the engine ran, smoke appeared then blew the fuse, the second time the fuse just popped immediately after the key reached the start position, sounds to me that the first time something was taken out entirely. Thanks Richard

Robert Sorry to hear about your car woes. Williams Crawford is on our "patch" (R15) along with another excellent indy in SCS PORSCHE at Honiton. If there's anything you think I or any of our locals could help with, don't hesitate to get in touch. Many live within a stone's throw of WC and have a good relationship with them. (And Adrian Crawford is a Club member) Enjoy your visit to the SW the best you can, although you're the wrong side of the Tamar...[ ]

Thanks for the response tscaptain, not heard from WC except that the car was on a ramp this morning when I called which was unexpected and promising, although I have hired a car for the moment (find it difficult to enjoy Cornwall without a vehicle). I realise I have committed the sin of failing to stop "the correct" side of the Tamar for which I apologise and hope I have not offended too many, I do however also enjoy "your bit" so I hope this mitigates at least partially. If I tell you that my clotted cream goes on my jam am I in danger of all help being retracted?

Although it is a cardinal sin to put jam on first, the offer of help still remains good. Devonians are known for their tolerance. (I just made that up [ ]) If you're still stuck in the SW next weekend, there's a terrific historic vehicle show on near Exeter. Keep us updated on progress with your car.

Update: WC called, the cam solenoid was what had gone, may be ready at some time tomorrow afternoon, £1200 but I understand it's an unpleasant job. The tickover had been lumpy (but liveable) since I've had the car so maybe this will also sort that out. At least it looks like I'll be driving home in the car, £2200 (£1000 service plus this issue) + a holiday + car hire @ £400 + cat in cattery has thoroughly minced my finances.

You were absolutely right (as was Alex on "another forum") bit annoying to be charged £200 investigation when I suggested the cam solenoid could well be the problem (Alex suggested just disconnecting the solenoid would have allowed the car to drive safely in the first place). Still everything takes time.

The end: Well the bad news is my 996 convertible never got to turn a wheel on my Cornish driving holiday, the good news is that I was able to drive it home today (one full week after the breakdown) so I will not have to travel back to Cornwall to collect it. Final bill was £1600 as the cam solenoid is a tricky job involving removal of the headers and by all accounts every single bolt sheared and had to be re-tapped. Holiday car finances therefore look like this: - Annual service to ensure the car is good for the holiday: £1000 Car hire for 4 days while car was being repaired: £400 Repair of car: £1600 Total: £3000 <ouch> I would like to thank Williams Crawford of Saltash who were extremely busy over this period yet got the car done for me to drive home, a mechanic even stayed late on Friday to ensure the car was finished for me on Saturday.

I am sorry to hear of your woes, I have had an awful year as well with regards to family bereavement and in addition the loss of a family pet. Thank fully the car has not been to bad, other than a couple of tyres for the MOT and a handbrake switch for the roof operation to open, but hey ho, it is 25 years old somethings gotta wear out. With regards to servicing I dont want to 'teach you to suck eggs' and I am not sure if you had other works done for the service but most Independants have a tariff service price list such as a 'major' at one at a garage close to me here in Reading is £360 including spark plugs. If you paid a £1000 for a service you should be in the relms of a new clutch / engine out or major works. I googled and see one near you, if your where I think you are, that offers a tariff and has outstanding reviews on google and offers a minor for around £350. You can always get guidance and recommendation on here or possibly on the facebook group 'The Porsche 996 Carrera owners page.' which is well worth being part of. I am always gutted to hear of a breakdown on holiday but at least you got to drive it home Keep with it, the 996 is great. Best Wishes Ian

Well the service had a few extras added: - wiper blades fuel cap 3 x Spark plug tube inc o-rings Bosch airflow meter Strip out airbox, renew filter and AFM, clean throttle body New genuine belt I was a little surprised at the cost at the time but William Francis have a good reputation and with the extra work it seems reasonable. [/quote]

Engine out is like 8 hours, right? So that's ~£600 labour at an indie with no parts or actual work done. Not sure £1000 buys you much with your change.

Glad it wasn't a total disaster , it's something you'll talk about with your daughter for ever probably.."Remember the trip to Cornwall..." It sounds like Williams Crawford pulled a blinder out the bag for you. Agree that £1000 definitely won't get you any engine out work done , everything is so expensive now.