997 GT3 starting problem

[V8KSN]

Hi all

Just tried to start my car and the dash lit up like a Christmas tree and the starter motor made a sound like a machine gun with no bullets.

Stuck starter motor or something else?

[KEVS500]

Flat battery?

[V8KSN]

KEVS500 said:

Flat battery?

Don't think so as the stereo all works and the dash lights work etc.

I'm going to put the trickle charger on for an hour and see if that does anything

[PorscheGT4]

does sound like the battery to me also, buy a bosch s4/s5

Starters do go, it's in my big list of £10k refresh items people ask me for ;-p

[V8KSN]

PorscheGT4 said:

does sound like the battery to me also, buy a bosch s4/s5

Starters do go, it's in my big list of £10k refresh items people ask me for ;-p

I'll have to get that list from you one day!

[neil-f]

I think you have lost a cell in the battery.
When this happens the dash lights will work, radio etc but not enough juice to power the starter fully. Trickle charger will more than likely not make any difference.

[Jim1556]

I'd also check the terminals on the battery are tight, if not, that can also cause the symptoms you described...

[edc]

I had something similar recently. Battery was good, starter spinning freely, starter engaging as checked by starting in gear. Recent plugs and coilpacks. Turned out to be a knackered fuel pump.

[V8KSN]

neil-f said:

I think you have lost a cell in the battery.
When this happens the dash lights will work, radio etc but not enough juice to power the starter fully. Trickle charger will more than likely not make any difference.

Congratulations, you win first prize

Yep! A cell had gone in the battery, it was cream crackered. Replaced it, car is running lovely now.

One thing I have noticed though, Porsche spent about 20p on the plastic battery cover and its fixings, flimsy as a pancake!

Thanks again all for your help

[S1MMA]

PorscheGT4 said:

does sound like the battery to me also, buy a bosch s4/s5

Starters do go, it's in my big list of £10k refresh items people ask me for ;-p

I had one on my 997 GT3 replaced under warranty last year. They do fail- although mine didn't, Porsche replaced it anyway.

How much does that take off the £10k bill? It's got new rads, clutch done in last 10k miles, doesn't need discs (PCCB), pads fine, tyres new, suspension/rubbers may need refreshing in next few years tho, if you wanted to be a perfectionist. Oh may need air con regas which will be done this month as will major service and warranty renewal!

What am I looking at, £7k refresh? For air freshener?

[neil-f]

V8KSN said:

Congratulations, you win first prize

Yep! A cell had gone in the battery, it was cream crackered. Replaced it, car is running lovely now.

One thing I have noticed though, Porsche spent about 20p on the plastic battery cover and its fixings, flimsy as a pancake!

Thanks again all for your help

[terryb]

In the interests of relevant info for this topic - I once had the same symptom on my 996GT3 and it turned out to be a loose connection on the starter motor - don't remember exactly which one, but was easy enough to find by jacking up the rear of the car and checking the electrical connections - the nut holding the cable in place was loose - tightened up and was like new again

[zeb]

sounds like battery but starters are weak and mine went.