Starting problems.

[allsop60]

Car in question is a 997tt. As the title says sometimes when i get in and try to start the car all i get is a click, try again and click then next attempt it starts as normal.Any ideas welcome guys as i dont want it to totally give up the ghost when im miles from home, allthough having said that it only seems to be a problem on the first start of the day....

[puntograle]

When I've had similar issues on a 996 it's been one of two reasons:

- battery on the way out or contacts oxidised. Check when it was last changed. If it is an original porsche battery then they can struggle after 2 years. Bosch are better batteries (c. £100)
- ignition switch problem. I had very similar symptoms on a pervious 996 GT3 until one day it plain refused to start. Needed a new ignition switch (c. £350 from an Indy)

It could also be starter motor or alternator related but I think that should not be an issue confined to first start only.

HTH

[Trev450]

A common fault is for the main earth cable from the battery to the body to corrode.

[allsop60]

Thanks for that fellas, will be having a look at the earth strap as the battery is a new one (bosch). Once it stops snowing that is.Liverpool v Tottenham just starting now so itll have to wait......

[SFO]

if it's manual, it may be the clutch pedal switch

[allsop60]

If it was the clutch pedal switch would it not do the non starting thing all the time?

[SFO]

allsop60 said:

If it was the clutch pedal switch would it not do the non starting thing all the time?

no.

I had a similar fault on my GT3, turned out to be clutch pedal switch.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[fubar69]

997 turbo and gt3 can have issues with start motor. If it was the clutch pedal switch you would probably get "depress clutch pedal warning" on dash and no click. Click is generally the starter solonoid engaging but not spinning. Hope this helps

[Pope]

If the Clutch switch was faulty the dash would display 'depress clutch' while ignition is turned to crank position

The fault could be the starter sticking (common on turbo and GT variants) or the main battery lead to the distribution board (follow the +ve lead from the battery to its connection at the bulkhead -it is an expanding/sprung connector that engages on a pin) the pin can corrode leading to poor contact/high resistance during high load operation, especially cranking.

Slow cranking can be caused by high volt drop in the cables from the battery to the starter and alternator asa check measure the volt drop/potential difference between points along the cable (battery +ve terminal to transmission disconnection point and tdp to alternator) the max permissible pd is 0.3 volt per cable.

[OggyDJ]

Had exactly same on my car.

Suspected clutch switch but in the end, OPC replaced the starter motor under warranty and it has never done it since (also turns over a lot more vigorously than it used to)

Seems this really is a common problem !