battery problem on 996

[alanmac]

I have just bought a second hand 996 c4. I have had it for about 5 weeks now and it has been totally amazing (my first porker). It has only been driven at weekends (too busy during the week ). I tried to start it today but the battery was totally dead!! I tried jump starting it using the connections in the engine bay, but it would not turn over (although I did get power back into the dash).

I know that it has a lot of electrics etc, but surely the battery should not drain that quickly when the car is not being used. Anyone have any suggestions?

[interloper]

Sounds like a short some where in the car rather thn a normal flat, not familiar with 996's to be honest but have seen this in other cars. This sort of problem is especialy common when someone has fitted a new electrical component like a stereo then ball'sed up the wiring!

[ian_dorrian]

I wouldn't worry too much, its probably just the battery thats given up and needs replacing.

If the car has been allowed to flatten its battery completely then it never really recovers and the charge will leak away with very little effort.

The classic example being cars which have spent two weeks in long term parking at Gatwick, the alarm goes off every time a plane takes off for the first few days and then the battery goes completely flat. You get back off your holiday, get a jump start and think all is well until you leave the car for a few days and it won't turn over.

All modern lead/acid cells suffer from this problem unless you buy one of the clever deep cycle batteries which are designed to go totally flat on a regular basis.

My 993 needed a new battery two weeks after it was delivered as the previous owner had pretty much left it in a garage for two years.

I have had no problems since changing the battey and suspect you won't either.

If you are going to lay the car up, an Optimate Charger is well handy and keeps the battery in tip top condition.

Good Luck,

Ian D

[996 turbo]

I've been told it's a common problem with 996s and boxters. I also remember reading something in the letters page of 911 world too. It's a problem with the official Porsche batteries when they get too low in charge they fail (dead cell or something). I went through two Porsche batteries before replacing it with a suitable BOSH. No problems since (touch-wood).

Cheers, Steve, 996TT

[bif]

I also agree, mine [993] gone flat in just over a week / 10 days, normal for a Porsche !

[ian_dorrian]

I have just gone through my receipt book and I was advised against a Porsche OE battery for the 993 and told to buy an E11 VARTA or BOSCH Silver Calcium battery.

Total bill from CAFCO in Wokingham £63.

Wonder who makes the OE battery...?

[rich1231]

I had the dead cell problem on my 996 tt too.
pain in the bum it was.

[alanmac]

I think the battery is new. It looks it anyway. It is not the porsche battery! If the battery is good, how long should it stay charged before dying like this?

It has had a tracker and a hands free fitted. I will have these checked out first. I have bought a battery charger, so hopefully it will be running again soon.

[bif]

Worth your while to buy a battery conditioner, about £35 from Autofarm

[silver993tt]

I leave my 993tt for up to 4 weeks in the garage without use. The battery always sounds fully charged even after that time. My Boxster S used to spend up to 6 weeks in the garage and that was also not a problem. Strange how different cars vary with regards battery stability.

[Tarka]

bif said:

Worth your while to buy a battery conditioner, about £35 from Autofarm

Seconded - haven't had a problem since I bought one. It's nice to be sure that the car will start when I want it!