Boxster Won't Start with New Engine

[Brian Minson]

Hey guys,

I pulled the old engine out, bought a new (used) motor, and successfully installed it into my 2001 Boxster. However, when I was ready to fire it up for the first time this week, NOTHING! The engine wouldn't even try to crank over; I tested the battery (all good), even connected the two wires together on the clutch switch to see if that was the issue. And the car still wont' start.

The car has been inside the garage the entire time thus no rain water, and it ran before pulling the old motor out. Could some how/some way the immobilizer just crapped out?

Ideas?

Brian

https://youtu.be/G5pt_hXDNEk

[deilenberger]

I think it's embarrassed of the "turbo" emblem below the engine compartment vent on the passenger's side. Tell me there isn't one on the other side..

So - a question or two. You said it doesn't crank. Have you tried energizing the solenoid on the starter with a jumper? Which starter did you use - one that came with the new engine might not work...

[xsbank]

Grounds? Lights? Did you use the ecu that came with the engine or the old one? Fob battery dead? What actually works?

[Brian Minson]

I pulled the starter relay in the rear trunk and used a bridge wire to connect pins 30 and 87. Now when I turn the key, the engine will crank!! Woot Woot... but that's it, the computer still isn't telling the fuel and spark to go.

I think the little pill in my key has gone south, but can't figure out a way to verify it without sending the car to the dealer or indy shop.

Brian
https://youtu.be/G5pt_hXDNEk

[Brian in Tucson]

I doubt that the little pill has gone south. When you turn the key to the on position, do the dash lights come on and the gauges activate? More likely is that something isn't connected or is connected incorrectly. When you put in the replacement engine, was it from the same year? Did you happen to change out the wiring harness? The old one was working, it cranked and started. If you leave the key on and jump the starter does the engine try to start? Can you hear the fuel pump whirring?

Are you sure the relay is okay?

Disappointing to do all the work and then not have it start

[Brian Minson]

Hey Brian,

Yep all the lights come on, and the fuel gauge shows about 1/4 tank. The 3.2 engine is also a 2001 unit, and used the wiring harness that came with the car.

I was going thru all the videos I have shot, and with the old engine in I went to start it the day I moved the car from the side yard into the garage to start the car engine swap; I put the key in and it wouldn’t crank... doing the same thing as it’s doing today.

Here is a crazy bit of new info, I was going to pull the ECU and found a note taped to the ECU that says it’s for a 2.7 with a different VIN... I looked at the old engine and it’s a 2001 3.2. So did the last owner mess up the ECU and had a 2.7 unit reprogrammed? But yet it started and drove before the engine swap.

???? Stumped

Brian

[Chi-Town]

Does the little red light stay on the power lock switch when you try and start it with the key? Have you checked the immobilizer under the driver's seat for water /damage?

It sounds like they swapped the ECU and the immobilizer unit?

[Flying-Al]

Do you have the drivers seat out ???

Figured out on mine that it wont crank with the drivers seat unplugged.

Just an extra thing to check ......