GT4 Flat Battery Advice Please
GT4 Flat Battery Advice Please
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Discussion

ClioTrophy55

Original Poster:

312 posts

121 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
quotequote all
I'd appreciate some advice please. My GT4 has been SORNed for December through February as my opportunity for driving in daylight and decent weather conditions is limited during those months. My plan was to tax the car again from tomorrow (March 1st). I'd been running the engine every now and again to maintain battery charge but clearly I left it a little long the last time and the battery is now flat. I have a CTEK 5.0 trickle charger for the future but my immediate problem is the flat battery. Some questions please...

1) is it safe to use any 12V supply to deploy the "fusebox" method to open the bonnet and gain access to the battery? Or do I need some special surge protected or other source in order to avoid risking damage to the car's electronics?

2) is the flat battery likely to take charge from the CTEK, or is it now destined for recycling?

3) is one obligated to source a new battery from the OPC (at possibly quite a high price) in order to maintain the warranty, or is it OK to fit the equivalent battery obtained from batteries-R-us discount store or similar?

4) are there any pros and cons of getting Porsche Assistance involved?

Many thanks in advance for advice or for details of similar previous experiences and how resolved


Twinfan

10,125 posts

125 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
quotequote all
Can you not just call Porsche Assistance and get them to get the car started? Take it out for a spin and then you're sorted?

ags11

607 posts

161 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
quotequote all
Twinfan said:
Can you not just call Porsche Assistance and get them to get the car started? Take it out for a spin and then you're sorted?
+1. In the unlikely event the battery is knackered warranty should cover it.
P.s running an engine stationary isn't best practice, especially from cold.
Good way to fook an exhaust too.

mollytherocker

14,391 posts

230 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
quotequote all
Just attach the CTEK and all will be ok in a couple of days. Then take it for a good run.

bcr5784

7,374 posts

166 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
quotequote all
mollytherocker said:
Just attach the CTEK and all will be ok in a couple of days. Then take it for a good run.
+1 - if you have the CTEK power socket adapter you shouldn't need to open the bonnet. I'd doubt the battery is actually knackered - though the CTEK should tell you if it can't restore it to full health.

mikefocke

78 posts

126 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
quotequote all
Is the Ctec a charger or a maintainer? If only a maintainer they only work if the target battery is above a certain voltage to start with. So no matter how long you are connected....

The instructions for jump starting the car thru the fuse box should guide you where to connect. And any properly charged 12v battery will do. No need for special fuses.

bcr5784

7,374 posts

166 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
quotequote all
mikefocke said:
Is the Ctec a charger or a maintainer? If only a maintainer they only work if the target battery is above a certain voltage to start with. So no matter how long you are connected....

The instructions for jump starting the car thru the fuse box should guide you where to connect. And any properly charged 12v battery will do. No need for special fuses.
Both and a checker of sorts too. It's a smart device and goes though a number different charge/check phases (6 or 7 if remember rightly). It's a super bit of kit - available at areassuringly expensive price branded Porsche - or a reassuring cheap one branded ALDI (from time to time).


Edited by bcr5784 on Wednesday 1st March 19:18


Edited by bcr5784 on Wednesday 1st March 19:24

ClioTrophy55

Original Poster:

312 posts

121 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
quotequote all
bcr5784 said:
mollytherocker said:
Just attach the CTEK and all will be ok in a couple of days. Then take it for a good run.
+1 - if you have the CTEK power socket adapter you shouldn't need to open the bonnet. I'd doubt the battery is actually knackered - though the CTEK should tell you if it can't restore it to full health.
I've ordered the power socket adapter from Amazon (I didn't notice that it wasn't included to begin with!) and I'll try to trickle charge through the cigarette lighter. I knew there was a reason why I specified the smoker's pack!

Thanks for the advice

Nosliw

24 posts

110 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
quotequote all
ClioTrophy55 said:
I've ordered the power socket adapter from Amazon (I didn't notice that it wasn't included to begin with!) and I'll try to trickle charge through the cigarette lighter. I knew there was a reason why I specified the smoker's pack!

Thanks for the advice
I agree with the previous comment why don't you just call up Porsche Assistance and get them to come and sort you out , that's what your warranty cover is for , save you any hassle , give the car a good run and it should be fine