Lost ecm and module under driver seat 987.1

Hey guys. I bought porsche boxster 987 2008 v6 automatic transmission .So the guy who sold me told me. That it wont start. So i bought it couse it was very cheap. So today i checked the car and find something missing. Idk its ecm or ecu . So kindly let me know what should i do to start it. I couldnt find used parts here couse i live in saudia arabia. Thanks.

I'm not sure exactly which computer (ecm/ pcm ) it is at that location, but it should look like this : Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

I thought at least one key brain box was under the seat but I could be mistaken. PS It's not a V6 it's a flat six, in fact Boxster is in part a name resulting in the design of the engine called a "boxer" due to the way the pistons move.

The part i am missing its in tha back. Trunk.

Good to know about that. But the part i am missing is in back trunk.

Just a little research while waiting for the rain to let up...... This part number is listed on the parts manual for my 2005 Base 987.1 Boxster . So your part number might be a digit or so different for the 2008 987.1, and depending on which motor you have. Also note that the ecu is tied to your VIN, so if/when you get a replacement, you will need Porsche to flash it to your car, if I understand correctly how it works. 987.618.603.02 Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

OK, the research post above proved completely accurate. Here is my dirty/dusty Boxster live.....

By the way, just the implication that you can crank the starter over without the ecu in place indicates how analog the 987.1 is. I doubt seriously that the more recent versions of any vehicles would allow you to get that far without the brain functioning and present. Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

Ok thanks alot. Tomorrow i will try my car to start. And get a mechanic also. And will discuss more if that doesnt work.thanks bro

Good and bad news. The owner found the old ecu . But it is in bad condition. Attaching a photo can it be repaired?.

That looks too far gone to rebuild. I think you will need a different one and as stated above, you will need to have it programmed by somebody with a Porsche computer.

Idk i can or somebody program it other then porsche but porsche is very expensive. Any suggestions if i get the complete set of ecu ecm and key there are many on amazon and ebay. Do i still need to program that or they will just plug n play?

That "kit" might work. And you have to purchase the ecu anyway, so it's a fair gamble. As for Porsche service being expensive..... You stated that you got the car "cheap"? So you can't feel too bad if you get everything sorted and only had to have Porsche service enable the computer/VIN marriage. It's the same way I feel about getting a second key for my 987.1 I was able to acquire the car for ⅓ of the original value, then fix all the various issues that a 15 year old car had accumulated without ever visiting a Porsche parts or service department. But that second key is just not something I can avoid the Porsche Tax on, so I will use it as an opportunity to drive up IN a Porsche and enjoy the experience of being an official Porsche customer. Once! Kinda looking forward to having a cup of their coffee while I visit. Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

I agree, probably too far gone, but it doesn't hurt to try and clean it and see what happens. I wouldn't go to "rebuild" it yet, but if it lights up and kinda works then you could consider repairing at that time. Worst case, it simply won't work... but I agree, you probably just need to replace it. EDIT - taking back my recommendation - see below.

I would disagree. Plugging this turd back into the car stands a good chance of a short circuit in it causing other damage to the car, up to and including a fire. A new one and coding for it is needed.

Regarding plugging in the old one, I am in the electronics business and that old board is fried. Do not plug it in or you do risk torching other items elswhere in the system. Get the right part and get them all programmed( flashed). You will not regret doing it right.

I agree with both posts above... I take back my previous statement. A short could end up causing more damage elsewhere. I was kinda thinking of older vehicles with only one "computer" but in modern vehicles with multiple such computers, it makes sense that one short can take out the others. If it was just a sensor, no biggie, but not anymore...

So i order a kit from ebay.hopefully that will work. I match the number of dme from the company. I went to the porsche they run the vin number and gave me the part number so i order one from ebay. But i guess i still have to program the computers. Or just plug the kit and they will work?

I have recently gone through a similar process to what you're about to do. I bought a car with no key and then bought a set similar to yours though I note there is no electronic steering lock module. The parts dealer I got my matched set from first of all made me confirm it was going into a car with matching specs (05 or 06 Boxster S manual) and also told me I had to change over the steering lock module too (not a fun job). After it was all done though, car started straight up. Cheers, Julian

No, in a 987 the box under the drivers seat is the rear control module, controls rear wing, trunk opening, rear lights etc. The immobilizer module module is up under the dash on the right hand side of the steering column and is visually obscured by the plastic AC hose.

Sorta think it had the chance to that already. But no, as you say, no way. And I'll bet this is just the beginning of things to come.

Hi guys its been long time. So i couldnt fix my car cos the mechanic told my you need to replace whole system ecu immobilizer everything so i found a cayman s 2009 in scrap yard but i am confused is that gonna work on my boxster 987 2008 2.7 automatic or not. Cos i need to replace whole system of car cos all are different from each other kindly suggest if this swap work or not i would be very thankful

So its been 1 year and nobody can fix my car in saudia Arabia. Last mechanic told me to replace all the electrical components like ecu immobilizer key ignition alarm modul under seat. Steering lock. Like every thing. So i found cayman s 2009 automatic transmission in scrap yard. He got everything. But my boxster is 2.7 automatic transmission. Can swap work? Or do i need to get 2.7 ecu and everything?? Aur just swap and reprogram it.

No. Won't work.

Adeel - is there a reason you're posting this in a new thread when you already posted it in an existing thread? Do you expect the answer to be different? It won't be. It won't work. Different injection systems, entirely different transmission. It's not compatible. "just swap" isn't happening - in all likelihood the wiring harness and connectors are different so it can't be plug and play. Sounds like your mechanic is incompetent. I'm merging the threads. In the future, if you intend to remain a member here (big hint...) do not open a new thread just because you don't like the answers you're getting in an already started thread on the exact same issue. That's not acceptable behavior on Planet-9.

Adeel, might be worth contacting some other reputable parts sellers as well, that is quite a lot more than I paid for mine (USD$650 from LA Dismantlers). They were able to confirm and guarantee that all parts they were sending me came from the same car and gave me the full spec of that car, another 06 Boxster S Manual and as I posted earlier, car started first time, no issues. I note though that the "kit" you provided the snapshot of is more complete than the one I got, I didn't get the glovebox lock!

Can you please tell mw what’s important in starting kit. And what modules it comes? Cos idk which module is important or not. Cos there are too many sellers and selling different kits some got everything and some have just 2 modules and key ignition

Mine included the Key, ignition assembly, immobilizer module, electronic steering lock assembly, drivers door handle assembly and ECU . I went back to check the receipt to see if it listed the individual parts (it didn't) but I actually got it from Redline Auto Parts, not LA Dismantler as stated earlier. As for a transmission module if yours is tiptronic, I don't have any knowledge on whether they are programmed/tied to the ECU but I would not be surprised if it was. The photo you attached has more modules pictured than I got. Cheers, Julian

So there is a guy i ordered from him the kit and that includes Key with ignition Immobilizer Ecu Central lock module Body control modul Steering lock. the picture i shared he is asking for 2200$ The one i am ordering which includes the stuff I mentioned is 1197$ My boxster is 2.7 automatic transmission 2008 And also did you reprogram your car or just plug and play?

For me it was plug and play, no programming needed. Does the tiptronic have its own module? If so, is it included? As long as all the modules and key are from the same spec 2008, Boxster 2.7 with auto transmission you "should" be fine.

Yes it my car there is triptronic module but in the kit i am ordering its not. And all parts i mentioned earlier that doesn’t include triptronic module and are from 1 car

Then my only questions would be 1)Is that ECU with the kit from a tiptronic car? 2)Does the tiptronic module need to be coded/matched to the ECU etc? If the ECU kit is from a manual trans car then I think you should probably keep looking. If it is, you could try finding another local 987 owner with a tiptronic and try swapping in your tiptronic module to see if their car starts and drives with your module as a test of whether it needs to be coded or not. Cheers, Julian

Sure i will check it first update here thank you so much for helping me out