Cayman Won't Start
Discussion
About 6 or 7 weeks ago, after being sat for a week, my Cayman S (57 - manual) wouldn't start. All electrics seemed to be funtioning but nothing on the ignition key (maybe a slight whirring noise, but no attempt at all to turn the engine over).
I got a mobile Porsche 'specialist' to come and look at it and he recommended a new battery. I purchased a new battery; same issue. He was giving me the run around, so I booked the car in with a local OPC and called my roadside assistance company expecting the car to be towed. The guy who came put a powerpack on the battery and it turned over first key. Other checks revealed nothing (his check on the battery and alternator showed good), so he advised I give the car a good drive and to save my cash, which I did. Car started for the rest of the day first key and was then left for 24 hours, at which point it wouldn't start again.
I got the recovery back (ironically it was the same guy) but the powerpack didn't work this time, so we push started the car as I needed to drive to Leeds urgently (I live in London) and I had no issues driving up there. I dropped the car straight with an OPC in Leeds as I have a friend who works there, but they couldn't find a fault despite having the car for over a week, with the car starting every time they tried it (they checked the clutch switch, ignition switch, earth straps, alternator, battery, starter, solenoid and all connections and relays etc - diagnostics computer shows no faults).
So I picked the car up and drove back to London. Started fine for a 24 hour period, so I left it a further day and a half, and it still started (although I didn't drive the car, I just turned the engine over to check). Left it a further 36 hours and it won't start again.
Battery reads 12.6 volts on the multimeter. I know that it's amps I need to start the car (and plenty of them) so could something be draining the battery of amps whilst leaving the voltage at 12.6? The voltage drops when I attempt to start the car and then slowly creeps back to 12.6. That said, I've tried my old battery after charging it manually and have also tried a battery from a 911 of a neighbour which we knew to be good as it starts his car, so I don't think it's battery related (at least no purely).
I really am at the end of my tether with this, and my pocket is already a lot lighter, so if anyone has any wisdom to offer, I would be grateful.
Similarly, if anyone could recommend a good independant Porsche specialist in the London area, I would be grateful. I'm thinking Jaz Porsche in Wembley, but I don't just want to keep chucking money at this without some further solid diagnostics.
Thanks all.
I got a mobile Porsche 'specialist' to come and look at it and he recommended a new battery. I purchased a new battery; same issue. He was giving me the run around, so I booked the car in with a local OPC and called my roadside assistance company expecting the car to be towed. The guy who came put a powerpack on the battery and it turned over first key. Other checks revealed nothing (his check on the battery and alternator showed good), so he advised I give the car a good drive and to save my cash, which I did. Car started for the rest of the day first key and was then left for 24 hours, at which point it wouldn't start again.
I got the recovery back (ironically it was the same guy) but the powerpack didn't work this time, so we push started the car as I needed to drive to Leeds urgently (I live in London) and I had no issues driving up there. I dropped the car straight with an OPC in Leeds as I have a friend who works there, but they couldn't find a fault despite having the car for over a week, with the car starting every time they tried it (they checked the clutch switch, ignition switch, earth straps, alternator, battery, starter, solenoid and all connections and relays etc - diagnostics computer shows no faults).
So I picked the car up and drove back to London. Started fine for a 24 hour period, so I left it a further day and a half, and it still started (although I didn't drive the car, I just turned the engine over to check). Left it a further 36 hours and it won't start again.
Battery reads 12.6 volts on the multimeter. I know that it's amps I need to start the car (and plenty of them) so could something be draining the battery of amps whilst leaving the voltage at 12.6? The voltage drops when I attempt to start the car and then slowly creeps back to 12.6. That said, I've tried my old battery after charging it manually and have also tried a battery from a 911 of a neighbour which we knew to be good as it starts his car, so I don't think it's battery related (at least no purely).
I really am at the end of my tether with this, and my pocket is already a lot lighter, so if anyone has any wisdom to offer, I would be grateful.
Similarly, if anyone could recommend a good independant Porsche specialist in the London area, I would be grateful. I'm thinking Jaz Porsche in Wembley, but I don't just want to keep chucking money at this without some further solid diagnostics.
Thanks all.
It was the VTS. Long story short, if I try to start the car without the VTS remote fob present it won't start. With the fob present it starts first key.
Prior to the 'fault', I could start the car with or without the VTS remote fob so something has changed. I'll get it checked out but for the moment, everything is cushty.
Prior to the 'fault', I could start the car with or without the VTS remote fob so something has changed. I'll get it checked out but for the moment, everything is cushty.
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