997.1 starting problems

997.1 starting problems

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Discussion

abby030976

Original Poster:

33 posts

132 months

Saturday 2nd August 2014
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Hi.

The car has trouble starting when it has been used and the engine is warm. Its just had new spark plugs and a service. Its done 48k and is mint. By way of contrast I went on holiday for 3 weeks and it started fine on my return.

This week I drove about 30 mins. Stopped for 20 mins and then started it again. I then stalled it and on starting if for a second time the car struggled to start. Today I drove a couple of miles, stopped for 20 mins, drove back 2 miles, stopped for 5 mins, went out again and the car hardly turned over and barely started.

The car is under OPC warranty until the end of August. I took it to them last month and told them of the problem I was having. I advised them that I suspected the cable between the battery and starter motor was faulty. This problem has been discussed on here before. I'm unsure what they did to test the car but they gave it back and said it couldn't be the cable. I think they think I'm imagining it. I am most definitely not. 2 separate people said to be this week that they thought the car wasn't going to start. One was a friend who I'd gone to visit. The other was my wife who was not impressed today when it nearly failed to start!

Any help gratefully received.

It might need a new battery? I've never had to buy a battery before. My cars are always well maintained and used regularly. I don't want to buy a new battery if there is no need, also I don't want to buy a new one only to have the same problems.

Edited by abby030976 on Saturday 2nd August 21:56

Slackster

44 posts

159 months

Saturday 2nd August 2014
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I reckon this is the starter motor wiring loom

I had exactly the same issue/symptoms trying to start my 997.1 when warm. I bought a new s5 bosch battery and this didn't help whatsoever and then I found a tech bulletin somewhere on the web about early gen1 997's having a wiring loom that can cause slow cranking when warm.

The replacement updated cable cost me £70 from and OPC and it was 3.5hrs labour to fit it. It cranked perfectly when warm after that.

By all accounts get the battery tested first but I'd put money on it being that cable.



cook3471

125 posts

141 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
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It could also be the starter motor which has got he solonoid attached to it 2 things in 1 there

abby030976

Original Poster:

33 posts

132 months

Monday 4th August 2014
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Booked into OPC on Wednesday for the second time for this fault to be looked at. I am certain it is the cable. If it was the battery it would have problems starting from cold imo. All the hallmarks are glaringly suggesting it is the cable.

They seem very hesitant to do work under the waranty. When I have been paying I have experienced them saying "we'll try this and see if that fixes it". It's a pity they dont' behave in the same way when doing warranty work.

abby030976

Original Poster:

33 posts

132 months

Monday 4th August 2014
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I've tested the battery which seems ok. I also discovered the battery was fitted in 2010.

cook3471

125 posts

141 months

Monday 4th August 2014
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Most porches eat batteries your lucky to get 4 years from one. Is the one you have genuine?

Rocco1

3,081 posts

198 months

Monday 4th August 2014
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cook3471 said:
Most porches eat batteries your lucky to get 4 years from one. Is the one you have genuine?
Battery in my 997tt Gen1 is 7 years old and still going strong