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YOUR RESEARCHDoes the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Reported or suspected cause
somewhere else
Reported cause
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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 report identifying a cause
1
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Reported cause · Original poster
Actually I took the starter to a specialized alternator/starter repir shop because they had one unit in stock but check it and turned ot to be ok, they told me that with 90k miles it will be a good idea to repair/refresh, but they told me that my problem was somewhere else.
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Frequently discussed work
Check cable connections
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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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
I already removed the starter, checked the cable connections with the exception of the one on the "splitter Y" in front of the engine (cannot find it), we tested all of the relays except one with an ohm meter that my neighbor kindly showed how to use
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
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Leading evidence: 'somewhere else' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'somewhere else' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check cable connections' (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 · Original poster
I already removed the starter, checked the cable connections with the exception of the one on the "splitter Y" in front of the engine (cannot find it), we tested all of the relays except one with an ohm meter that my neighbor kindly showed how to use
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Test of the relays except one
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
I already removed the starter, checked the cable connections with the exception of the one on the "splitter Y" in front of the engine (cannot find it), we tested all of the relays except one with an ohm meter that my neighbor kindly showed how to use
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Check fuses inside
Suggestion or failed attempt
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 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 · Original poster
Just need to find is out how to lower this box, so I can check the fuses inside.
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Check owners manual
Suggestion or failed attempt
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 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
Did you check your owners manual for infos about fuses and relay boxes?
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Frequently discussed actions (10)
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Check cable connections
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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
I already removed the starter, checked the cable connections with the exception of the one on the "splitter Y" in front of the engine (cannot find it), we tested all of the relays except one with an ohm meter that my neighbor kindly showed how to use
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Reconnect battery
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 · Original poster
Yesterday, a friend with much more mechanical experience than me, mentioned that the electrical problem I am having could be caused by a bad relay, that could be sticking and for this reason as soon as you try to start the car you hear a loud click on the back, and the lights dash and all everything goes dark (no power anywhere) until you reconnect the battery again.
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Repair /refresh
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 · Original poster
Actually I took the starter to a specialized alternator/starter repir shop because they had one unit in stock but check it and turned ot to be ok, they told me that with 90k miles it will be a good idea to repair/refresh, but they told me that my problem was somewhere else.
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Repair shop is
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 · Original poster
the only thing left to check is the power distributor, that according to the repair shop is on the passenger side footwell are (which I can't locate yet)
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Test of the relays except one
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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
I already removed the starter, checked the cable connections with the exception of the one on the "splitter Y" in front of the engine (cannot find it), we tested all of the relays except one with an ohm meter that my neighbor kindly showed how to use
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Reported and suspected causes (1)
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
somewhere else
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that report identifying a cause
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.
Reported cause · Original poster
Actually I took the starter to a specialized alternator/starter repir shop because they had one unit in stock but check it and turned ot to be ok, they told me that with 90k miles it will be a good idea to repair/refresh, but they told me that my problem was somewhere else.
Does the starter motor has a relay - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Coverage and how to read this overview
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.
15 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
986Forum: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T022239Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Before I replace the ignition switch I would like to eliminate the possibility of having a faulty relay (if I have one).
I removed the starter motor and it was ok, the ground by the firewall is tight..
.
Thank you in advance
Hi Gilles,
just think what would happen if your starter wouldn't have an relay and you would apply 40 ampere to your pour little ignition switch with that tiny wiring when starting your car.
Regards, Markus
Particlewave, Thank you!
I never seen a relay box on the rear trunk (Cayman),
but I know that underneath the rear firewall cover lives the engine ECU, could the relay box be on the same area?
Yesterday, a friend with much more mechanical experience than me, mentioned that the electrical problem I am having could be caused by a bad relay, that could be sticking and for this reason as soon as you try to start the car you hear a loud click on the back, and the lights dash and all everything goes dark (no power anywhere) until you reconnect the battery again.
Marcus, I am sorry but I am electrically challenged, and have a very difficult time diagnosing electrical issues… and being honest, this time I am terrified to damage something else
OK, Gilles,
what car and MY do you have? It's a 987 Cayman? Did you check your owners manual for infos about fuses and relay boxes?
Maybe this will help:
Porsche Workshop Manuals > Boxster S (987) F6-3.2L (2005) > Maintenance > Fuses and Circuit Breakers > Relay Box > Component Information > Locations
Regards, Markus
Particlewave,
No, unfortunately after replacing the switch with the new one the same results:
Connect the battery, and everything gets powered, radio, lights windows, etc., But, when you try to start the engine, you only get a clacking (mechanical) noise from the engine's area and you no longer have any power, like not even having a battery...
Until you disconnect/connect the terminal on the battery and all the electrically powered components are ok...
I already removed the starter, checked the cable connections with the exception of the one on the "splitter Y" in front of the engine (cannot find it), we tested all of the relays except one with an ohm meter that my neighbor kindly showed how to use
I am running out of options or ideas, and with the tail between the legs (broken ego)... I may have to tow it to a specialist..
Thank you all to provided suggestions, it's greatly appreciated
the only thing left to check is the power distributor, that according to the repair shop is on the passenger side footwell are (which I can't locate yet)
The clack is the solenoid/bendix being actuated. That same action makes a contact within the starter to tell it to start spinning.
If the motor coils are toast, you can get the symptoms you describe. Did you fully test the starter to make sure that it is activating the solenoid and spinning the motor?
Edit: didn't your engine die while driving before the symptoms started? That would point to something aside from the starter.
Actually I took the starter to a specialized alternator/starter repir shop because they had one unit in stock but check it and turned ot to be ok, they told me that with 90k miles it will be a good idea to repair/refresh, but they told me that my problem was somewhere else.
The car was runing just fine and I stall it leaving a shoping center, no symptoms or noises whatsoever.
Right now, the starter does not even turn the engine...
Sent you the info for locating the current distributor...
Still sounds like a bad main connection to me. Have you had a close look at the battery terminals and post clamps to make sure they are nice and shiny, with no corrosion or oxidation?
I'm sure you have...
Have turned the crankshaft to be sure that the engine isn't seized?
Gilles; DANGER WILL ROBINSON Only use the crank bolt once you have removed all the spark plugs...I'm pretty sure the bolt will turn before the engine does.
Actually, the engine does turn pretty smooth, the only Y split that I found was on the top front part of the engine and checked that the 17mm nut be tight, the connector looks pretty clean.
A member of the Cayman site mentioned that according to his dealer service dept. that loose connectors (at the computer end) are common on the Cayman and Boxter, but here you don't hear much.
I am trying to find a lay out of the main wire harness, so I can try to follow at with a multimeter.
PS: I had turned different engines by the crank pulley (carefully and slowly) and never had an issue
Particlewave, this is the "power distributor" that I was trying to find, it is located high on the passenger footwell, the manual tells you to pull it down into the floor (slides down) but this box is firmly secured up there... lol
Just need to find is out how to lower this box, so I can check the fuses inside.
But is starting to rain so this will continue tomorrow as I don't want to have the windows closed to keep the interior dry.
Thank you!
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