981 flat battery - advice sought
Discussion
Hi,
I've seen quite a few posts about this but cannot figure out what's the right course of action without getting ripped off, can someone advice please?
Basically a 981 has (I suspect) a flat battery.
Car was used a week ago last time.
Both fobs show the red light when pressing unlock, but nothing happens.
From the manual, I think I understand how to open it with the emergency key and how to open the bonnet.
So a few question here:
1) The emergency key doesn't reach 90 degrees. I only had a brief try and will try again later but is that normal to be hard to turn all the way?
2) Am I ok just buying a Porsche approved battery and replacing it myself? I can do some DYI, replaced a few batteries on non Porsche cars before.
3) Is 'coding' needed and if so can I do it myself?
Car is under extended Porsche warranty.
AA breakdown cover is in place.
Thanks!
I've seen quite a few posts about this but cannot figure out what's the right course of action without getting ripped off, can someone advice please?
Basically a 981 has (I suspect) a flat battery.
Car was used a week ago last time.
Both fobs show the red light when pressing unlock, but nothing happens.
From the manual, I think I understand how to open it with the emergency key and how to open the bonnet.
So a few question here:
1) The emergency key doesn't reach 90 degrees. I only had a brief try and will try again later but is that normal to be hard to turn all the way?
2) Am I ok just buying a Porsche approved battery and replacing it myself? I can do some DYI, replaced a few batteries on non Porsche cars before.
3) Is 'coding' needed and if so can I do it myself?
Car is under extended Porsche warranty.
AA breakdown cover is in place.
Thanks!
jimbo761 said:
Having gone through this during Covid I’d suggest the following:
1) yes there’s quite some resistance I found as was worried about damaging the lock. A bit more effort unlocked the car easily.
2) yes design 911 sell Porsche approved batteries I believe and they are easy enough to swap over
3) imo coding wasn’t needed (I have a 718, during lockdown when mine went flat the dealerships were closed) and the replacement battery has lasted longer now than the original without issues. I understand the battery management system ‘learns’ the new battery after a few drives. Some posters will tell you it is essential to code but you can get a cheap code reader to do this. I can report no problems despite not having coded it.
Thanks!1) yes there’s quite some resistance I found as was worried about damaging the lock. A bit more effort unlocked the car easily.
2) yes design 911 sell Porsche approved batteries I believe and they are easy enough to swap over
3) imo coding wasn’t needed (I have a 718, during lockdown when mine went flat the dealerships were closed) and the replacement battery has lasted longer now than the original without issues. I understand the battery management system ‘learns’ the new battery after a few drives. Some posters will tell you it is essential to code but you can get a cheap code reader to do this. I can report no problems despite not having coded it.
Edited by jimbo761 on Tuesday 19th December 11:34
I've checked with design 911... the approved battery costs £310 haha, what a rip off!
https://www.design911.com/p/99961108012-car-batter...
Do you need to buy anything extra in order to open the trunk through the fuse box?
Thanks all!
So I called AA - a very knowledgeable and friendly chap arrived, powered the bonnet, checked the battery and said it might need replacement.
I've kept the running for 20 minutes. It does work now although getting a 'steering support limited' error on the dash - but I heard this disappears.
I'm not sure if the battery actually needs replacement (unless of course it stops working again). Any good way to check that?
So I called AA - a very knowledgeable and friendly chap arrived, powered the bonnet, checked the battery and said it might need replacement.
I've kept the running for 20 minutes. It does work now although getting a 'steering support limited' error on the dash - but I heard this disappears.
I'm not sure if the battery actually needs replacement (unless of course it stops working again). Any good way to check that?
Thanks ALL!
Here's a process on battery replacement on a Porsche 981 (based on thoughts collected - always consult the manual!)
Always consult the manual as the ultimate (but not always correct) source of truth!
Prerequisites to open the door, lift the bonnet (frunk) and replace the battery:
1) A new battery is needed (obviously).
This looks like a compatible battery (maybe): 58001 Banner Running Bull 80Ah AGM Leisure Battery for £178.29 postage included
Note that A Porsche-approved battery comes at a 2x+ premium and if you want/need to, you can contact your dealership or design911.co.uk for a quote. The Porsche-approved battery on design911 was in excess of £370 without any special discount codes.
2) A power source to open the frunk, which can be either:
a) A jump starter. E.g. something like YABER Jump Starter Power Pack for £45 from Amazon. Compact, weather resistant, can charge USB devices too and has a built in flash light with 3 modes. NOTE although this helps to open the frunk, this might not be able to start the engine (not powerful enough), despite what it says in the listing.
OR
b) Use a new battery with a set of jump leads
3) A ratchet with a 13mm socket and an extension rod AND a screwdriver with a star bit. For example Halfords Essentials 50 Piece Socket Set that has all that is needed (although the extension rod could do with being a bit longer, so if you could get a longer one go for it!).
The process:
1) In order to open the frunk and access the old battery, driver's door needs to be opened first. This can be done by using the emergency key located in the fob. I could access the keyhole by pulling the drivers door handle. Manual says 'turn the key all the way to the left' BUT actually in the UK it should be 'all the way to the right'. Once turned, turn the key back into the original position, pull it off, lift the door handle, the door should open. REMEMBER that the window will not lower itself (due to no power in the car) and thus don't try to close the door without powering it first.
2) Pulled out the fuse box that's located at the bottom right (next to pedals). Some force was needed to pull it out. As per the manual, pulled out the yellow tweezers at the top of the fuse box, and then used those to pull out the red plastic bit just below the tweezers.
3) Per the manual, connected the jump starter RED crocodile clip to the metal of the red plastic bit of the fuse box, and then the BLACK crocodile clip to the door hinge. Some parts of the hinge ARE NOT METAL although looks like metal: it has to connect to metal otherwise the jump starter will not work.
Alternatively, shouldn't be a problem using the new battery for the same, if no jump started was purchased.
4) Once the fuse box was powered, as per the manual, pressed and hold the 'frunk open' key on the fob for SEVERAL SECONDS - the frunk did open! Then immediately disconnected the jump starter from the fuse box (in the correct order as per the manual, very important!!) and closed the fuse box to its original state.
5) Followed this video to remove the old battery and put the new one in using the tools mentioned above.
WARNING - the battery is VERY HEAVY! Over 21kg.
Here's a process on battery replacement on a Porsche 981 (based on thoughts collected - always consult the manual!)
Always consult the manual as the ultimate (but not always correct) source of truth!
Prerequisites to open the door, lift the bonnet (frunk) and replace the battery:
1) A new battery is needed (obviously).
This looks like a compatible battery (maybe): 58001 Banner Running Bull 80Ah AGM Leisure Battery for £178.29 postage included
Note that A Porsche-approved battery comes at a 2x+ premium and if you want/need to, you can contact your dealership or design911.co.uk for a quote. The Porsche-approved battery on design911 was in excess of £370 without any special discount codes.
2) A power source to open the frunk, which can be either:
a) A jump starter. E.g. something like YABER Jump Starter Power Pack for £45 from Amazon. Compact, weather resistant, can charge USB devices too and has a built in flash light with 3 modes. NOTE although this helps to open the frunk, this might not be able to start the engine (not powerful enough), despite what it says in the listing.
OR
b) Use a new battery with a set of jump leads
3) A ratchet with a 13mm socket and an extension rod AND a screwdriver with a star bit. For example Halfords Essentials 50 Piece Socket Set that has all that is needed (although the extension rod could do with being a bit longer, so if you could get a longer one go for it!).
The process:
1) In order to open the frunk and access the old battery, driver's door needs to be opened first. This can be done by using the emergency key located in the fob. I could access the keyhole by pulling the drivers door handle. Manual says 'turn the key all the way to the left' BUT actually in the UK it should be 'all the way to the right'. Once turned, turn the key back into the original position, pull it off, lift the door handle, the door should open. REMEMBER that the window will not lower itself (due to no power in the car) and thus don't try to close the door without powering it first.
2) Pulled out the fuse box that's located at the bottom right (next to pedals). Some force was needed to pull it out. As per the manual, pulled out the yellow tweezers at the top of the fuse box, and then used those to pull out the red plastic bit just below the tweezers.
3) Per the manual, connected the jump starter RED crocodile clip to the metal of the red plastic bit of the fuse box, and then the BLACK crocodile clip to the door hinge. Some parts of the hinge ARE NOT METAL although looks like metal: it has to connect to metal otherwise the jump starter will not work.
Alternatively, shouldn't be a problem using the new battery for the same, if no jump started was purchased.
4) Once the fuse box was powered, as per the manual, pressed and hold the 'frunk open' key on the fob for SEVERAL SECONDS - the frunk did open! Then immediately disconnected the jump starter from the fuse box (in the correct order as per the manual, very important!!) and closed the fuse box to its original state.
5) Followed this video to remove the old battery and put the new one in using the tools mentioned above.
WARNING - the battery is VERY HEAVY! Over 21kg.
Edited by stewieyan on Wednesday 3rd January 17:42
ATM said:
You missed the 10mm socket for the battery terminals. If you add that above I will delete this.
I recommend putting one foot in the froot if you're not a powerfully built PH Director type with big shoulders.
Cheers, I just used pliers for that which was more convenient, will add.I recommend putting one foot in the froot if you're not a powerfully built PH Director type with big shoulders.
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