996 Turbo.....Alarm Problem!
996 Turbo.....Alarm Problem!
Author
Discussion

scotty_917

Original Poster:

1,034 posts

251 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
Hi guys,

If somebody could give me any pointers on this, it would be very much appreciated!

I left the car for 5 days over last weekend, in the long stay car park at Heathrow. On returning, went to first use the bonnet release on the key fob, which worked, but I noticed 2 blips of the car horn / alarm.

Subsequently, when trying to open the drivers door, it wouldn't respond to the key fob, so I had to unlock it manually. Again, heard 2 blips of the horn. Putting the key in the ignition barrel, it started 1st time without a problem.

However, on approaching the ticket barrier, I noticed that the windows wouldn't respond, so had to open the door to exit the car park. I subsequently found the sunroof, the central locking button on the dash or the passenger door - from the inside wouldn't also

On the drive home on the M25, a couple of times the alarm went off while I was driving, only for a couple of seconds...but a bit disconcerting, to say the least...and looking like a bit of a prat too!

I popped over the Porsche Centre Hatfield, for one of their engineers to take a look (they supplied a new key fob about 2 months ago - but say it wasn't that, that was faulty). He did ask if I ever had water leaks internally, to which the answer was no. It's booked in with them for an hours diagnotics on Tuesday.

The car continues to blip twice on unlocking & locking and have read in the owners manual that this signifies a fault...no $hit Sherlock!

Any pointers or info would be appreciated. thumbup

Cheers,

Scott.

BillTheButcher

393 posts

190 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
Put your hand under the passenger seat to see if you can feel any damp. I had electrical problems with my old 996 Carrera and that's the first thing I was told to check. If the drainage holes are blocked water can build up under the seat and get into the DME.

scotty_917

Original Poster:

1,034 posts

251 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
BillTheButcher said:
Put your hand under the passenger seat to see if you can feel any damp. I had electrical problems with my old 996 Carrera and that's the first thing I was told to check. If the drainage holes are blocked water can build up under the seat and get into the DME.
Cheers Bill, appreciate that. I'll check.

LeighB

3,858 posts

254 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
May not help but, try reclossing the storage bin lid behind the handbrake. Sometimes if it's not shut properly this can cause the double horn blips when locking the car.

BillTheButcher

393 posts

190 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
LeighB said:
May not help but, try reclossing the storage bin lid behind the handbrake. Sometimes if it's not shut properly this can cause the double horn blips when locking the car.
I thought about that too and you're right that it would cause the double blip of the horn (I think this happens if any of the internal compartments aren't closed). But it wouldn't explain all the other symptoms: windows, central locking, etc. not working.

scotty_917

Original Poster:

1,034 posts

251 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
Thanks guys.

Hadn't heard the one about the storage bin situation. Will check both later today.

Could it be as simple as a fuse?

LeighB

3,858 posts

254 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
BillTheButcher said:
I thought about that too and you're right that it would cause the double blip of the horn (I think this happens if any of the internal compartments aren't closed). But it wouldn't explain all the other symptoms: windows, central locking, etc. not working.
Agreed Bill, but may cure one of the problems smile

BillTheButcher

393 posts

190 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
LeighB said:
Agreed Bill, but may cure one of the problems smile
Yes. smile

I've just re-read my reply and it comes across as a bit arsey. Sorry, it wasn't meant to.

scotty_917 said:
Thanks guys.

Hadn't heard the one about the storage bin situation. Will check both later today.

Could it be as simple as a fuse?
Unlikely. These kinds of symptoms seem to be quite common on the 996 and from what I was told they're usually down to water in the DME or a faulty microswitch in one of the door handles.

LeighB

3,858 posts

254 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
BillTheButcher said:
LeighB said:
Agreed Bill, but may cure one of the problems smile
Yes. smile

I've just re-read my reply and it comes across as a bit arsey. Sorry, it wasn't meant to.
Not at all mate, took it the way it was intended. beer

scotty_917

Original Poster:

1,034 posts

251 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
Thanks again guys. thumbup

Will check as you suggested.

Be interesting to see what PC Hatfield come up with, if I can't fix it. Good job I've got a warranty!

thegoose

8,077 posts

239 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
Careful - the warranty will likely exclude water ingress problems (just as corrosion is also excluded).

scotty_917

Original Poster:

1,034 posts

251 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
Have just checked the car and no sign of any water damage under the passenger seat, or elsewhere for that matter.

Still flummoxed! scratchchin

IanSC

42 posts

196 months

Friday 28th June 2013
quotequote all
Hi,

Have you tried using the key to lock the car, then unlocking using the key ? After doing this, try using the remote to lock/ unlock. This worked on mine one time when the remote wouldn't respond initially after the car had been sitting for a week, and I also set the alarm off inadvertently, with the two blips sounding first

BillTheButcher

393 posts

190 months

Friday 28th June 2013
quotequote all
The car will stop responding to the key fob after five days of not being used IIRC. You have to unlock the car manually using the key and then put the key in the ignition within something like fifteen seconds to stop the alarm going off.

m996tt

407 posts

240 months

Friday 28th June 2013
quotequote all
Try disconnecting the battery, remember to turn on the ignition first.

thegoose

8,077 posts

239 months

Friday 28th June 2013
quotequote all
BillTheButcher said:
The car will stop responding to the key fob after five days of not being used IIRC. You have to unlock the car manually using the key and then put the key in the ignition within something like fifteen seconds to stop the alarm going off.
It's easier than that - once you've unlocked the car with the metal key the remote will then work - if you don't use it you may set the alarm off when you open the door.

steve singh

3,995 posts

202 months

Friday 28th June 2013
quotequote all
scotty_917 said:
Have just checked the car and no sign of any water damage under the passenger seat, or elsewhere for that matter.

Still flummoxed! scratchchin
Faulty ignition barrell?

angrybob

33 posts

160 months

Friday 28th June 2013
quotequote all
had the same - blown fuse for doors/windows.

20p fix...

scotty_917

Original Poster:

1,034 posts

251 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
quotequote all
angrybob said:
had the same - blown fuse for doors/windows.

20p fix...
Update...and thanks to all the guys above who chipped in with advice!

Car was in at Porsche Centre Hatfield yesterday (after the PCGB R21 meet there the previous night!) and as angrybob suggested above, it all came down to a blown fuse, which they did FOC (thanks Chris). Now all working as it should.

Getting a re-gas on the aircon in prep for Goodwood FoS, Silverstone Classic and the Nurburgring / Belgian GP in August!

Happy motoring!

thumbupdriving

LeighB

3,858 posts

254 months

Thursday 4th July 2013
quotequote all
Good to hear you got it sorted, and cheaply too :-)