Dead Porsche 991: Starter Switch or Something Else?

I had a similar issue with my 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman last winter. Initially thought it was just the starter switch, but turned out to be a defective main wiring harness. The entire electrical system was affected, no power to anything. Had the same symptoms: car wouldn't start, no response when turning the key. Took it to an authorized Porsche service center after my regular mechanic couldn't properly diagnose it. They found rodent damage on the main harness that wasn't immediately visible. They had to replace the entire wiring harness assembly. It was a serious repair that took about 4 days to complete, but the car has been running perfectly since then. If you're near any major city, I'd strongly recommend going to an authorized Porsche center for this kind of electrical issue. They have the right diagnostic tools and expertise for these specific problems.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That must have been quite a headache with the wiring harness. Mind if I ask how much that repair set you back? And has everything been smooth sailing since the fix, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks?

Hey there! Yeah, the wiring harness issue was definitely a pain at first, but I've got good news! Just had my mechanic look at it, and it turned out the ignition starter switch was actually the culprit, much simpler than I initially thought. They fixed it up by replacing some faulty wiring in the harness, and it only cost me 95€, which was a huge relief compared to what I was expecting! The car's been running like a dream since then, absolutely no electrical issues or any other quirks. My Cayman starts up perfectly every time now. It's funny how sometimes we expect the worst, but it turns out to be a relatively straightforward fix. Really glad I didn't have to go through a complete harness replacement like I initially feared. Definitely worth checking out any trusted Porsche specialist if you're having similar issues!

What a relief to hear about your experience! I actually just got back from the mechanic today, and you won't believe it, it was indeed just the starter switch! Found a really good Porsche specialist through a 's recommendation. The whole thing took about 3 hours to fix and cost me around €120. The mechanic walked me through everything they did and even showed me the worn-out parts. Super transparent and professional, exactly what I was looking for after my last disappointing experience. Car's running perfectly now, starts up immediately. Such a weight off my shoulders knowing it wasn't anything major like a full wiring harness replacement! Think I've finally found my go-to mechanic too, they really knew their stuff when it comes to Porsches. Thanks again for sharing your story, helped me feel a lot better about getting it checked out!