Porsche 997 starting difficulties

[Qieran]

Hi, I have an 05 997, it's had a new battery & alternator 9 months ago. Jump starts & push starts but temperamental on the key. The dashboard lights come on, the windows can come down but when I go to start it a fault appears & disappears on the screen. The heater & rear heating element automatically switched on the last time, radio/cd intermittently go on or off . I'm hearing new starter motor - doubt it & something about 'Earth strap' anybody else had similar symptoms? Thanks in advance ;-(

Edited by Qieran on Wednesday 22 July 21:44

[gilliambot]

I had a similar problem with my old car. It turned out the cables connecting the battery had become worn, which apparently is not a rare occurrence. I would have a specialist look at that before the bills start racking up.

[Trev450]

Yes as above. The main earth lead is a known problem area.

[zeb]

earth lead

[Qieran]

I just took a look at the approx 15cm long thick black cable that goes from the battery to the body & it seems fine ;-(

Edited by Qieran on Tuesday 21st July 13:52

[996TT02]

It may look fine but there may be corrosion between the mating surfaces. Remove it, and clean all surfaces properly.

There is also another strap from the body to the engine, problems may lie here.

Plus, you may also have similar problems with the lead going to the starter motor.

[Huskyman]

I would second the advice given here, this sounds like an earth fault, the entire chassis of the car acts as the ground or (-) so I would look at the earth strap from the battery first.
Do you have a multimeter or can you borrow one?
This is a good place to start as you can start to check for high resistance on the earth straps, as this should be as low as possible given the high current that flows when cranking the engine.

[cd1957]

Hi this type of issue can been down to corroded POWER cable from battery to the pin on the distribution assembly.
The next time it happens, wiggle the end of the power cable as far from battery as possible,it should spin on the pin.
If this works fit the power cable repair kit, and clean all the rust build up from the pin.

Chris

[Qieran]

I spoke to http://www.revolution-porsche.co.uk/buying-a-used-...
& a gentleman - great help (THANK YOU) said enquire about the tracker that's fitted to the car...I spoke to Tracker who said as the tracker is over 5 years old it's internal battery will have died therefore using your battery power like a sieve.

Edited by Qieran on Wednesday 29th July 07:35

Edited by Qieran on Wednesday 29th July 07:38

[Trev450]

Trackers will most certainly drain a battery, but usually will take at least a week or more if the battery is in good condition.

[Qieran]

Thanks for the replies so far, shall look into changing that earth strap although someone else said it could be the clutch on the alternator as it's not giving 13+ volts & not increasing when revving the car...Battery drop test to do...

Edited by Qieran on Tuesday 28th July 07:57

Edited by Qieran on Tuesday 28th July 07:59

[philcray]

I have an 07 gen 1 997 and have had a number of starting issues in the 6 years I have had it. About 18m ago I had something which sounds similar to your problem, dashboard lights went bonkers but no attempt to turn over engine. Car jump started and drove 100 miles home, next day same problem, AA came, jumped it again, ran it, battery showing fine, turned off, would not start....

Under Porsche Warranty so took to Porsche Kendal, checked out earth strap etc etc, could not find a current drain or any other fault, new battery under warranty (the 3rd one I have had since buying car, along with new alternator about 2 years ago). I was not convinced but new battery seemed to fix problem...

Not sure on your driving patterns but I only used to use mine occasionally and usually for longer runs (200 miles+), the rest of the time it was in garage on trickle charger. For last year or so, it has been used as a daily runabout, mainly pottering around up to 10 -15 miles. Never had a problem since and now starts strongly (was always a bit reluctant)....

I can only assume that the battery was draining and the long journeys, which I thought would top it up, were too late as it was already shot - don't know why this would happen as previous battery was almost brand new but there you go... Using it a lot even for short runs seems now to keep it topped up and touch wood have had no problems since.

Not sure if that helps or relevant....!

[Qieran]

Thanks Phil, similarly my battery is only 9 months old so reluctant to change but as I've only had the car 3 months I don't know of the battery's previous history. It was purchased from Kwik Fit by the previous owner - they no longer honour - can't transfer the warranty. I'll try new battery as that's the easiest fix & progress from there. Cheers ;-)

[BSRS]

Sounds like the Clutch switch (on the pedal) very common.
Get a new one and check the bar to the micro switch isn't bent.

[Qieran]

Thanks guys, new (correct) battery & earth cable later & it's been fine ever since ;-0