2004 996 won’t start after radio install

[Pcarguy996]

I just has a flat screen radio installed by a pro audio shop. The install was beautiful but they can not get my 996 to start. It does not turn over. Just finished with IMS, rear seal, chain tensioners at Porsche shop and car ran beautifully. Any ideas what to look for? Battery charged terminals tight.

Thank for all responses.

[Mark44]

Originally Posted by Pcarguy996

I just has a flat screen radio installed by a pro audio shop. The install was beautiful but they can not get my 996 to start. .

That's sort of like the doctor saying, "The operation was successful, but the patient died."

Unless it's a coincidence, it sounds like whoever installed the new radio screwed things up.

Originally Posted by Pcarguy996

It does not turn over.

Does this mean that it doesn't crank at all, or that the starter cranks the engine but the engine doesn't fire? Assuming you took the car to a shop to have the radio installed, were you able to get the car back home somehow, or is it still there?

More info is needed.

[JFP in PA]

Common phenomenon, we have seen too many examples of "pro audio shops" butchering these car's electronics because they have no idea what they are doing.............

[Pcarguy996]

Originally Posted by Mark44

That's sort of like the doctor saying, "The operation was successful, but the patient died."

Unless it's a coincidence, it sounds like whoever installed the new radio screwed things up.


Does this mean that it doesn't crank at all, or that the starter cranks the engine but the engine doesn't fire? Assuming you took the car to a shop to have the radio installed, were you able to get the car back home somehow, or is it still there?

More info is needed.

It does not turn over. Dash lights up radio lights up won’t crank

[Van B.]

a wire was cut into that should not have been cut into... undo what was done and then do it right.

[Mark44]

Originally Posted by Pcarguy996

It does not turn over. Dash lights up radio lights up won’t crank

If you have a voltmeter, what's the voltage on the battery? If the battery voltage is low, due to sitting for a long time or from a parasitic draw, it would be able to power low amp circuits like the radio and dash, but might not have enough to crank the engine.

When you turn the key to the start position, do you hear a click from the starter solenoid?

You haven't told us anything about your capabilities, so it seems to me that you have three choices:

1. Take it back to whoever installed the radio, as it seems possible that they are the cause of the problem. However, if the battery is discharged, that may or may not be due to their workmanship. Checking the battery would be the first thing I would do. If it's low, it would need to be charged up.
2. Take it to a mechanic you trust.
3. Diagnose the problem. To do this, you need a VOM to check voltage and continuity, and the knowhow to use it, as well as a circuit diagram. If you're planning to do this work yourself, the Bentley service manual is an excellent resource. You would need to work from the starter and solenoid back to the solenoid relay, and from there back to the ignition switch to see what's getting power and what isn't.