Boxster 981 - Airco and heating stopped working

[monamimate]

It's Friday evening and the weather has just turned cold so of course, my heater has packed up.

All the little screens and numbers still appear, but nothing happens.

No change in temperature, no fan at all, even on maximum setting, so it's window open to demist!

Anyone had similar, and any idea if it's a simple/ expensive fix?

Earliest I can get to the dealer is Wednesday...

[monamimate]

rObArtes said:

just a thought but might be worth checking to see if any fuses have blown?

I was hoping it might just be that, but they look fine... unfortunately. Guess I'd better get ready for a big bill... (out of warranty!)

[monamimate]

robj4 said:

Strangely two people I have met recently who have 981 Boxters have had similar problems, within warranty. One called Porsche Assist out on reaching his destination.. and it then all worked fine when the tech tired it. The other checked fuses, found nothing and started the car again for everything to work as normal.

OPC Cambridge told one of the above that if the car is left unused for a period (not specified) it can need a re-set after starting if the fan doesn't run. Turn car off and on again.

Your problem may not be the same, but the above all seemed a bit odd to me.

Thanks for that. Car has sat outside for a good week or so, but so far restarting has made no difference.

I suspect it's something electric, as nothing works at all. If it was mechanical, I'd expect one part to fail (eg heating) but others (eg fan) still to work.

Fingers crossed that it will be a simple fix..

[monamimate]

Thanks for all the tips.

I'll be bringing it in to the dealer next week, and I hope it turns out to a simple reset or so... don't fancy the cost of them replacing the whole unit!

NB - unfortunately it's not just the fan not working - nothing happens at all (no heating, no cooling either...).

[monamimate]

Pope said:

Rare for the 'entire' system tray pack up; have you tried moving the fan - it is the same one for hot or cold. ....

No, not too keen to start poking around at things (two left thumbs and all that..)

[monamimate]

Pope said:

The brushes stick within the motor; open the bonnet, lift the cover and locate the pre-filter (it curls upwards on the nearside). Lift the plastic lid that covers it and you see the fan inside - maybe need a torch. Reach in - ignition off! - and spin the fan by hand - if it's indeed stuck it will free off with a gentle twist.

Test system, refit covers.

The fan has been modified in the last year or so to counteract the issue

Perfect!

I plucked up the courage to go fiddling under the covers and your suggestion was spot on.

Strangely, I felt no resistance at all from the fan, yet it worked again as soon as I tried it, so that must have been the problem.


A virtual pint for that man!

Thanks.

[monamimate]

bcr5784 said:

Answering my own question, I rang up my OPC and they have booked it in for a warranty fix with no question. They obviously knew exactly what the issue was because they have ordered the part.

So, hopefully, issue solved.

Lucky you - mine happened after warranty ran out... and it's done it 3 times in as many months...! I wonder how much needs to be removed to get access to the fan...