strange starting issue

[SFO]

My 7.2 GT3 has developed a starting problem.

After it has not been used for more than a week (car in sleep mode), it doesn’t start .. just a click and nothing else (all lights on normally). Re-engaging cluth does not make any difference.

I have to lock and unlock the car again, and then try starting again. Usually, the car starts normally after this procedure. Sometimes, I have to lock and unlock a few times.

Once it’s started, I have no problems at all re-starting for the rest of the day.

Car has warranty, so am trying to find out what might be the issue as won’t be able to duplicate fault unless I leave it at OPC for an extended period.

I keep thinking it’s the clutch sensor ... but why is the fault so intermittent?

Been doing this for about 4 weeks.

Battery is new from Oct 12, and is fine.

Any idea what the problem is?

[Mayhem911]

Took mine into opc for the same problem , mine took 5 attempts to get starter to turnover. Its apparently a faulty starter motor,and they wiill change under warranty, they want the car for a full day, common on GT3 and turbo models ,but not on any other .they had viper green GT3 as used on top gear in workshop for the same problem while i was there.

[curley]

Yep
mine did that , new starter under warranty sorted it .

[OggyDJ]

curley said:

Yep
mine did that , new starter under warranty sorted it .

Exactly same for me

[Martian O]

I had the same problem and it turned out to be an earth strap. Part number for the replacement strap was 997.607.034.03.

[SFO]

thanks all.

not questioning your experiences, but it does seem odd that the starter works absolutely fine when it works ..

[Mayhem911]

Mine works fine ,when it works, its like the battery is flat, not eneough power to activate starter,turnon and off a few times then fires up as if nothing is wrong. Tried all the usual stuff charge and condition battery and it still does it. Going in next week to be changed.

[OggyDJ]

Yes, is really odd.

I was convinced it was the clutch switch as one minute....click...nothing.....next minute, turned the engine over with normal vigour.

Began doing it more frequently so took it to my OPC who changed the starter (under warranty).

Has never done it since

[alscar]

Both my starter motor and clutch sensor replaced under campaigns - and now rear Hubs and bearings - good going for 5000 miles !

[SFO]

alscar said:

Both my starter motor and clutch sensor replaced under campaigns

do you have the campaign codes for these please?

[supermono]

If you have a poor earth sometimes after a few goes it'll arc across the crud and make a good contact for a bit. Not entirely sure of the mechanical process but I once had it on my lawn tractor.

SM

[Skrambles]

My turbo's been doing this too. Guess it's time to get it looked at!

[pete]

Exactly the same symptoms for me on a 12k mile 2007 997 GT3. Starter motor replaced under warranty, no problems after that.

Pete

[alscar]

SFO , Starter motor replaced under warranty not campaign so sorry to mislead you - for the record campaigns to date are AC05 Hubs , WB01 Centre Lock Bolts , WC08 Software and WC09 Clutch sensor - right codes but may have got item wrong as cannot recall exactly which was which.

[SFO]

alscar said:

SFO , Starter motor replaced under warranty not campaign so sorry to mislead you - for the record campaigns to date are AC05 Hubs , WB01 Centre Lock Bolts , WC08 Software and WC09 Clutch sensor - right codes but may have got item wrong as cannot recall exactly which was which.

thanks.

car now booked in to look at starting issue and the replace hubs (AC05)

[SFO]

starter motor OK.

clutch pedal switch replaced .. for the second time (1st time was under a recall).

apparently there was a dodgy batch of switches.

[RobbeS]

Hi all,
I know this is an old topic, but for me very much alive...
My 04 GT3 starts horribly from cold. Turning the key normally only lets one hear a click (solenoid I guess), then nothing, no starter engine sounds.
Then after 10 times turning the key back to off and trying again, it starts as if it has no problems at all. When warm it starts almost Always the first time.

So I replaced the ignition switch yesterday, but no effect.
So today I looked at the clutch switch, which is also a known weak point.

But first i tried starting it without pressing in the clutch pedal. And believe it or not, it started (I had done a trip before an hour earlier (after 10 times of trying to start it) so the car was still warm).
But it should not start without a pressed in pedal!

Even stranger, I unplugged the clutch switch to see if it mattered, and it still started!

Any ideas? I assume there has been a modification, but the switch itself is still there, and the cables are not jumped as far as I can see...

Other question, in the same footwell (LHD car), above the fuse box, there is a switch that shows 0/1 for on and off. It is in the "0"position for off.
Related perhaps? Or part of the ClubSport package?

Thanks for your ideas!

[Pope]

Can you take a pic of the switch?

Initial feeling is a starter issue; not rare on the later turbo/gt models.

The car can be programmed to start without the clutch switch; if the PAS (alarm) control unit is coded specifically for example. There is a school of thought that not having the clutch pressed reduces wear on the thrust bearings in the crankcase during starting (no oil pressure).

[RobbeS]

this is a picture of the switch near the relays, above the fuse panel.

According to a Porsche specialist I visited yesterday, the clutch switch might be only active for non-EU markets, so maybe the clutch switch is not operative at all, which would explain why I can start with out pressing the clutch pedal, and why disconnecting the switch does not matter.

Still, what is the function of the other switch in my picture? related to starting at all? Or for activating the emergency power switch-with-pulling-cord?

[RobbeS]

Anybody any idea?