997.1 won't start (battery???)

[JapanRed]

Hi all,

I've come to start my 997.1 this afternoon and it won't start. I haven't drove it for about 7 weeks due to being crazy-busy with other things, so assume it's the battery. When the key is turned the engine does sound as though it's trying to start. You guys are much more knowledgable than me so I'd like your thoughts.

Do you agree it's most likely to be the battery? If so what do I do? Battery out and charge it? Jump start it?
Will the battery now be damaged or should it be ok after a decent run?

I've phoned my dad who's got a battery charger so I can call and get that this evening if necessary.

Thanks in advance.

[LordHaveMurci]

My 996 battery lasts about 2 weeks before going flat.

You won't know if the battery is any good until you test it or try it. I was always told not to jump from another vehicle but to try & use a stand alone battery or jump pack to avoid surges.

[996TT02]

Battery, if left unused just disconnect it (probably, as with the 996, with key in ignition and door wide open so window is in the dropped position). This assumes you have a garage, as the window won't be fully up and if the bonnet release is electric, as with the 996, the bonnet can not be fully closed, unless you have a spare battery to hook up to the fusebox to open the bonnet.

Is your battery fooked - probably not if it's making attempts to turn the engine over, and isn't very old, and hasn't been flattened repeatedly. Charge, fit, and test.

[996TT02]

The main thing with jumpstarting is that after you do so, your alternator is working overtime to charge up the battery, and that aside time is needed, if you accidentally stall the car you may be stuck, and if there are any problems with the battery you won't know until you turn the engine off and try to re-start as it will happily run off the alternator. Jumpstarting should definitely be left as plan B, if you have the option of using a charger use that instead.

[JapanRed]

Many thanks guys. I'll charge it this evening then, which brings me onto my next question, how do I do that? I'm not particularly handy under the bonnet. Do I need to remove the battery or can it be charged in-situ?
Any advice or links to a how-to guide would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[STiG911]

If you're using a full-house battery charger then definitely disconnect it to charge.
If you're using a maintenance charger, then you can leave it connected.
In both cases you don't have to remove it from the car, but be careful to ensure that the contacts of the charging terminals don't hit the bonnet if you need to close it or rest it on the latch.

[anonymous-user]

JapanRed said:

When the key is turned the engine does sound as though it's trying to start.

Is everyone just ignoring this? Perhaps check if you have fuel in the car...

[JapanRed]

Cheers guys all fixed. It was the battery even though it was cranking over.

[The_Doc]

Charged batteries from flat do not always do well, you can look for >12.6 volts at the terminals with a multimeter, (12.0v is quite a long way from 12.6)

Or splash out on a Bosch silver 110 Battery (S5010), which I got for £87 and fitted myself with very basic tools.

It now springs into life at minus 5 on a morning

[JapanRed]

The_Doc said:

Charged batteries from flat do not always do well, you can look for >12.6 volts at the terminals with a multimeter, (12.0v is quite a long way from 12.6)

Or splash out on a Bosch silver 110 Battery (S5010), which I got for £87 and fitted myself with very basic tools.

It now springs into life at minus 5 on a morning

This is the battery I've got. Had it fitted in February. The car has been a dream to own and hasn't given me any trouble whatsoever apart from this week but thats more because I've neglected to love it rather than it being broken.

[REDCARISMINE]

https://youtu.be/iVyMW5ZgZhc

Ctek charger review

[Maxym]

When I had a 997 I made a point of driving it a min of ten miles at least once a week. If I was going to be unable to do that I hooked up a CTEK charger.