997.1 GT3 starting issues

[rezza]

Hi, having problems starting the GT3 (that is used regularly) it does not want to start, it just clicks and the starter motor does not turn over... It has been touch and go for the last few months, I expect this during the colder weather. I know that if you keep trying the car catches and starts, this used to be the case but but not anymore

Battery fine
Key fob / immobiliser seems fine

Looks like an issue with the starter motor, anyone had similar experiences and what was the fix ?

Thanks

[Shewie]

I had a similar issue with my 997.1 Turbo a few months ago. It would eventually catch but most of the time it would just click. In my case a new starter motor fixed the problem, but I know a few others mention a corroded earth strap can cause a similar issue. However this seems to manifest itself initially with a more sluggish turnover rather than what you describe. Assume the battery is fine.

[rezza]

Thanks, thought that may be the case as battery is fine.

[ArcticGT]

Sticky solenoid on the starter ?

If you can get under the car (ramps are enough)you can remove the starter easily.

Bosch exchange is ~ £300 from ECPs or get it refurbed for £50ish.

[keep it lit]

ArcticGT said:

Sticky solenoid on the starter ?

If you can get under the car (ramps are enough)you can remove the starter easily.

Bosch exchange is ~ £300 from ECPs or get it refurbed for £50ish.

+1

if you've tested your battery and it's good then it's your starter motor.. these are Bosch items and thus are fully serviceable costing around £50/70.. speak to your local Bosch agent.

[Baylon]

Mine does the same. Have spoken to JZM and they advised this is a known problem, there is a high resistance in the cable from the side of the gear box to the alternator and starter motor. Apparently they do 20+ of these a year and its unlikely to be the starter motor. They quoted around £500 to replace. FYI, I have changed the battery and it made no difference.

[keep it lit]

Baylon said:

Mine does the same. Have spoken to JZM and they advised this is a known problem, there is a high resistance in the cable from the side of the gear box to the alternator and starter motor. Apparently they do 20+ of these a year and its unlikely to be the starter motor. They quoted around £500 to replace. FYI, I have changed the battery and it made no difference.

I replaced the high res cable myself after similar advice, made no difference... then i refurbed starter motor, sorted!

[Baylon]

Thanks Keep it Lit
I need to get mine sorted this summer, so will give both a try.

[keep it lit]

Baylon said:

Thanks Keep it Lit
I need to get mine sorted this summer, so will give both a try.

[pete]

My old 997.1 GT3 had the same problem - new starter motor under warranty sorted it.

Pete

[BertBert]

Baylon said:

Mine does the same. Have spoken to JZM and they advised this is a known problem, there is a high resistance in the cable from the side of the gear box to the alternator and starter motor. Apparently they do 20+ of these a year and its unlikely to be the starter motor. They quoted around £500 to replace. FYI, I have changed the battery and it made no difference.

I'm sure they are right, but how do you get high resistance in a cable? If the connections corrode then it makes sense. But can't work that out otherwise.
Bert

[ArcticGT]

I always thought the cable problem caused longer cranking when the engine was hot ?

It's a 10min job to remove the starter and then Just wire it direct in a vice to see if it works or not. If your brave you could get under the and attach some crocodile clips without removing it.

[mischaRS]

Mine is the same but Pelican Parts suggest it is the Clutch Switch
However to be on the safe side I am going to rebuild the Starter motor as well-any one recommend a reliable Company, please ??
Thanks in advance

[SFO]

I had numerous starting issues with my 7.2 GT3, all detailed here:

http://rennlist.com/forums/997-gt2-gt3-forum/74074...

[S1MMA]

pete said:

My old 997.1 GT3 had the same problem - new starter motor under warranty sorted it.

Pete

Mine never had an issue, but Porsche replaced the starter motor last year under warranty as they said it had issues. I didn't complain.

[freemax]

Probably the starter motor. Had the same issue with my 7.1 RS a few months back: just clicking, though ultimately starting at the n-th attempt. Thought it was the battery, though did not get better after an hours drive.

Turned out to be the starter engine which I then had replaced. Problem solved.

[Fl0pp3r]

mischaRS said:

Mine is the same but Pelican Parts suggest it is the Clutch Switch
However to be on the safe side I am going to rebuild the Starter motor as well-any one recommend a reliable Company, please ??
Thanks in advance

+1 on the clutch switch - worth checking if the problem is intermittant. Relatively cheap/easy fix.

[pete]

The clutch switch has a different symptom - the message in the dash LCD telling you to depress the clutch never goes out. If the message doesn't appear, but the starter clicks, it's probably the starter motor.

Pete

[majordad]

Just after a year from new in 2009 I had a similiar problem with my GT3. After much searching by my OPC it was found to be the ECU, replaced under warranty but it took a year to diagnose.

[berty37]

BertBert said:

I'm sure they are right, but how do you get high resistance in a cable? If the connections corrode then it makes sense. But can't work that out otherwise.
Bert

I think the earth strap as I think it is called on the earlier 997's was a bit of a thin cable I was led to believe and as it is exposed to the elements picks up crud etc. I think from 2008 they replaced the part with a thicker cable...I was convinced that this was my problem until the guys at HP Motorsport tested the cable and said it was fine and it turned out to be the starter motor...the difference in the rebuilt one was enormous...