997 Battery Problems
Discussion
Recently bought a gen 1 997 (circa 2006). Understood that the battery was not the original, i.e not very old.
After leaving in the garage for a couple of days I found the battery dead. Successfully recharged but a few days later the battery failed on attempting to restart the car when hot (after a run of 30 miles). On advice I bought a battery refresher from Porsche which I have been using nightly. Battery has charged successfully and car started ok each morning. Today I stalled at a roundabout (whoops!)and again refused to start - battery dead. Restarted courtesy of the AA. When I got home I left the car for 5 minutes after which it started perfectly. I then remembered that the common denominator between the times when the battery failed was that the car lights were on. Tried to start the car again with the lights on and - failed to start!
Being a bit of a novice in these affairs I would welcome advice as to whether this is a simple failed battery or could their be something more sinister at play. I can understand a battery dying overnight but not after a decent run.
Would welcome any comments.
After leaving in the garage for a couple of days I found the battery dead. Successfully recharged but a few days later the battery failed on attempting to restart the car when hot (after a run of 30 miles). On advice I bought a battery refresher from Porsche which I have been using nightly. Battery has charged successfully and car started ok each morning. Today I stalled at a roundabout (whoops!)and again refused to start - battery dead. Restarted courtesy of the AA. When I got home I left the car for 5 minutes after which it started perfectly. I then remembered that the common denominator between the times when the battery failed was that the car lights were on. Tried to start the car again with the lights on and - failed to start!
Being a bit of a novice in these affairs I would welcome advice as to whether this is a simple failed battery or could their be something more sinister at play. I can understand a battery dying overnight but not after a decent run.
Would welcome any comments.
I've just had exactly the same on my 997.2 - OEM battery was five years old and just not up to it any more. I ran it through a recon cycle on my CTEK and that helped a little, but a brand new battery in yesterday has made all the difference. Replaced the pathetic Porsche-branded Moll Kamina with a Bosch S5 with more than twice the cold cranking amperage reserve.
Technomad said:
I've just had exactly the same on my 997.2 - OEM battery was five years old and just not up to it any more. I ran it through a recon cycle on my CTEK and that helped a little, but a brand new battery in yesterday has made all the difference. Replaced the pathetic Porsche-branded Moll Kamina with a Bosch S5 with more than twice the cold cranking amperage reserve.
The pathetic Porsche-branded Moll Kamina battery didn't do bad to last five years! 
I had similar problems with mine, was a 2 year old Porsche battery, never great cranking and had me stranded once. Finally got annoyed with it enough to change and put a Bosch s5 in it 3 weeks ago.
Difference is night and day, only 3 weeks in but can't believe I put up with that crap for 18 months!
I do however have a slight issue with my interior lights not going out when the car is 'on' (have them manually off now) and my right ear no longer works after disconnecting the battery without the key in the ignition...
Difference is night and day, only 3 weeks in but can't believe I put up with that crap for 18 months!
I do however have a slight issue with my interior lights not going out when the car is 'on' (have them manually off now) and my right ear no longer works after disconnecting the battery without the key in the ignition...
drmark said:
Martian O said:
The pathetic Porsche-branded Moll Kamina battery didn't do bad to last five years!
But they are pathetic from day 1. Try a Bosch and you will be left scratching your head as to why Porsche stick with Moll - must be owned by a family friend! Fantastic responses - many thanks. Symptoms identical to those detailed in the posts. Should have added that the current battery is an OEM and I've been using CTEK charger overnight.
You've taken a weight off my mind and I'll get a new battery tomorrow.
First time I've used the forum - very, very impressed.
You've taken a weight off my mind and I'll get a new battery tomorrow.
First time I've used the forum - very, very impressed.
shayman said:
Recently bought a gen 1 997 (circa 2006). Understood that the battery was not the original, i.e not very old.
After leaving in the garage for a couple of days I found the battery dead. Successfully recharged but a few days later the battery failed on attempting to restart the car when hot (after a run of 30 miles). On advice I bought a battery refresher from Porsche which I have been using nightly. Battery has charged successfully and car started ok each morning. Today I stalled at a roundabout (whoops!)and again refused to start - battery dead. Restarted courtesy of the AA. When I got home I left the car for 5 minutes after which it started perfectly. I then remembered that the common denominator between the times when the battery failed was that the car lights were on. Tried to start the car again with the lights on and - failed to start!
Being a bit of a novice in these affairs I would welcome advice as to whether this is a simple failed battery or could their be something more sinister at play. I can understand a battery dying overnight but not after a decent run.
Would welcome any comments.
Glad you got it sorted. I had a similar one that apparently is also quite common on the 997.1 - when hot it cranked slowly and would barely start - but when cold it was fine. This turned out to need a wiring loom replaced under warrantee. Apparently the connectors get a bit crappy when hot.After leaving in the garage for a couple of days I found the battery dead. Successfully recharged but a few days later the battery failed on attempting to restart the car when hot (after a run of 30 miles). On advice I bought a battery refresher from Porsche which I have been using nightly. Battery has charged successfully and car started ok each morning. Today I stalled at a roundabout (whoops!)and again refused to start - battery dead. Restarted courtesy of the AA. When I got home I left the car for 5 minutes after which it started perfectly. I then remembered that the common denominator between the times when the battery failed was that the car lights were on. Tried to start the car again with the lights on and - failed to start!
Being a bit of a novice in these affairs I would welcome advice as to whether this is a simple failed battery or could their be something more sinister at play. I can understand a battery dying overnight but not after a decent run.
Would welcome any comments.
I recently had to get a new Porsche battery - would rather have gone for the bosche, but didn't want to mess with the warrantee. Guess I can't complain - the original had 6 or 7 years on it.
Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff