Beep after every start: 1999 911 carerra

[sfgirl]

Just bought her for cheap because she's been abused and I plan to love her.

Every time I start her ("Bonaduce" - she's bright red and has issues) she beeps (one short quick beep) a second after she starts up.

I've only had her a few weeks, but here's what I know:
- 98K miles
- Water pump was just replaced
- Battery was just replaced
- Oil is a little bit leaky
- Clutch has to be dug into the floor to start
- Grinds downshifing into second gear
- Trunk light always stays on after other lights go off, even though trunk is closed

I cant find other people with this problem, and I seem to be either p**sing people off or making friends every time I start the car.

Thoughts?

[signature65]

Try Rennlist....might get a better response over there.

[vulcan300]

By beeping do you mean the horn is sounding? Or is there a beep in the cabin? Either way, in my case I have a beep in the cabin of my car after I start it with the handbrake released. The beep also happens after I release the handbrake if I start it with the handbrake on.

After pulling out much of my hair I found out that it was a somewhat cleverly installed radar detector..

The moral of the story is that you never know what is in your electrical system. You likely want to get your hands on the wiring diagrams for the portions of your cars wiring that are acting funny and start tracing back from there. You may discover some dormant aftermarket stuff amongst the wires.

J

[Christien]

My vote is also on aftermarket stuff. Sounds like some of the GPS/starter disabler devices installed in cars by lenders. We install them in all our leased/financed cars, though it only beeps if you're in trouble. Maybe try making a recording of it and posting it on rennlist (many more water-cooled tech folks there than here).

[80-911SC]

or hit the correct forum here , 996/997 forum , not to be rude but this is the 911 forum

[dailyATX82sc]

guys be nice.....

let start with pics?? being new you don't know.....but we like to start with pics

[sfgirl]

Ah yes - you're right! I'm in the wrong forum - apologies. There's lots to see here, I glazed right over it.

I should clarify - it's a quick horn beep, not an electronic-sounding beep. Found out today that it doesnt beep if a door is open when I start it (so now I can sneak out - yes!) kidding...

Here she is - a redhead who likes attention evidently


I'll check out Rennlist too - esp if I can upload a video of it there. But I love these forums - will be hanging out here & learning a lot from this place!

[sfgirl]

And this is the minute I got the keys at the dealer. Very happy!

[docrodg]

Welcome,

My money is on someone either "fixed the wiring" or added an aftermarket item and somehow got the wiring to the door switch and the horn mixed together somehow. Not sure, but can;t imagine any other explanation.

[sfgirl]

There's a Clifford key system. Could be it? The other suspicious thing is that the hood light always stays on, even though it is closed.

Just made a video of it:YouTube - Porsche 911 996 beep on start
(and yeah! It's 80 degrees here today!)

[docrodg]

Yep... probably the key system, but sometimes disconnecting such items can also cause problems. Take it to a good mechanic for P-Cars and have them trace this down and fix it.

[ToddM]

I would run it over with that jeep before before it starts draining your bank account

[C4 Pazzo]

There is an inexpensive microswitch for the trunk that often fails. I know that if the trunk is not closed or the center console is not closed or either of the doors is not closed when you lock the car from the outside, the horn will sound. Perhaps the horn is warning you that the trunk is not closed (or at least it thinks it is not closed since the microswitch is incorrectly indicating it is not closed). You may want to remove the light bulb from inside the trunk. It will stay on even though the trunk is closed if the microswitch has failed.

Lots of 996 help on Rennlist and Renntech.org.

[83-911SC cab]

Welcome to the madness...nice ride, but I am partial to running around topless myself..

When you say the car has a "Clifford" key system, do you mean it has a key fob by "Clifford". What does it do? unlock doors, start car, arm/ disarm alarm..??

If it is a key fob I would bet that it is aftermarket. Can't imagine Porsche using them for their factory units.. It sounds like someone wired the "Clifford" system up wrong and now you are paying the price..

Definitely take it to someone familiar with the Porsche electrical systems..Do not let just anyone root around in there because they said they could fix it..

Oh yea you might like to get yourself some C.R.A.P.

Hope all works out.

[Jagshund]

Is it just me or did this forum get a lot more helpful after she posted pictures?

[theiceman]

yup .... chivalry lives on .. too funny ...

[sfgirl]

Haha! Well there's nothing wrong with chivalry I guess!

Thanks - all of this insight is really helpful. I tested lights today too and there is a light on the rear right that is dim too. I dont want to get into how I feel about Bonaduce's previous owner (not because I know him - I dont. But because he was negligent to this car). Clifford key fob is lock/unlock and I *think* alarm - havent tested it yet and my neighbors will shoot me if I do it right now. But from the sounds of everyone I agree - that's probably the deal.

The dealer knows her well, so I'll bring her in and at least I'll have some idea of where to start. Bummer - I'm looking forward to fixing things on it myself. Electrical doesnt sound like a good place to start though.

Thanks again folks - I really appreciate it!

[kidrock]

Originally Posted by C4 Pazzo

There is an inexpensive microswitch for the trunk that often fails. I know that if the trunk is not closed or the center console is not closed or either of the doors is not closed when you lock the car from the outside, the horn will sound. Perhaps the horn is warning you that the trunk is not closed (or at least it thinks it is not closed since the microswitch is incorrectly indicating it is not closed). You may want to remove the light bulb from inside the trunk. It will stay on even though the trunk is closed if the microswitch has failed.

Lots of 996 help on Rennlist and Renntech.org.

+1. The microswitch C4 Pazzo is referring to is a known issue, particularly with aftermarket alarm systems. I would either remove the bulb, or disconnect the wire that runs to the microswitch. This is a cheap, easy fix...and your alarm should continue to operate.

[sfgirl]

Excellent, thanks C4 Pazzo & Kid Rock.

[vulcan300]

A thought about the grinding second gear. As the car sounds like it was treated badly you may want to try having the transmission fluid changed to a good synthetic like Mobil 1. That might loosen things up a bit and stop the grinding. My 86 had an unhappy transmission after I bought it as the transmission fluid had not been changed in a very very long time. It was like driving a different car after I changed it.

It's a nice looking car. Treat it well and it will reward you :-)