Porsche specialist v generic garage for random issue?

[TameRacingDriver]

Hi all

Long story cut short, my 986S won't start. I suspected the battery which I've now replaced and it has not fixed the issue. The car cranks but doesn't fire up.

I have 2 choices. I can take it to a specialist, but this is about 15 miles away and I'd have to get the car low loaded to the location.

Or I can use the garage over the road from my house. Clearly they aren't Porsche specialists but for the most part they seem to do a good job on other cars we've had there.

I intend to get inspections and servicing done by the specialist still in the longer term but for this particular job is there any reason I shouldn't just take the easier option?

Any thoughts or real world experiences? Thanks

[LennyM1984]

Have you got a diagnostic tool? It could be a fuel pump issue (maybe even just the fuse but I don't really see why that would have gone), the ignition switch, or the crank position sensor.

A failing ignition switch does all sorts of weird things on a 986.

In answer to your question though, I'd take it to a specialist. They will have seen similar before and will know where to look/what diagnostic process to follow. I'm sure a local garage could also fix it, but it may take them longer and be more of a trail and error style approach.

Edited by LennyM1984 on Monday 10th January 09:31

[shalmaneser]

I'm going to say keep it local. There isn't any magic in the cars, they're just metal and plastic screwed together.

If it's turning over then the issue is likely either fuel or spark. So a fuel pressure check would be the first port of call followed by checking spark. This will be easily done by a local garage. It might take them a little longer but it will be a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a car transported 15 miles away.

As the previous poster says it's probably fuel pump relay.

[Chubbyross]

shalmaneser said:

I'm going to say keep it local. There isn't any magic in the cars, they're just metal and plastic screwed together.

If it's turning over then the issue is likely either fuel or spark. So a fuel pressure check would be the first port of call followed by checking spark. This will be easily done by a local garage. It might take them a little longer but it will be a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a car transported 15 miles away.

As the previous poster says it's probably fuel pump relay.

Yep, I agree. If you trust them then they should be able to sort it out. It’s just a car. It works pretty much the same as all other cars. If you’re worried about future buyers seeing a non-specialist bill then just hide the paperwork.

[996TT02]

There is no magic to these cars. But like all moderns, they need to be hooked up to proper diagnostic software, otherwise, god only knows how a mechanic is going to discover that some sensor or other is supplying an out of range reading which in turn is causing something else to malfunction. So if your local has usable software for this car then fine, if not, then not, and in truth most will tell you straight away if it's something they can handle themselves or not. This sort of issue is not the same as replacing brake pads, or even a clutch, where even a competent DIYer with sufficient tools can do the job.

[TameRacingDriver]

Hi guys. So I rang up the local garage and bizarrely they didn't seem too interested. They just said "most likely the starter motor", which based on my research, seems less likely than other possible causes. Claimed they were booked up for many weeks, and said they'd ring me back later in the day to organise a slot, then never did.

So it looks like I'll just be sending it to the porsche specialist anyway. I've emailed them last night so just awaiting a reply now.