Help! Car won't start!

[SteveM46]

Folks

Carrera S, 997, 2006, full OPC warranty. I've been out to it today, and it won't start. When I turn the ignition key, the engine strains to turn over, all the warning lights come on (as usual, I think) the front lights flash on once each time I turn the key, the windows have both dropped, and after a few tries the car won't turn at all.

It feels like the battery, except I bought a CTEK battery charger recently and I've had it trickle charging for a couple of weeks through the cigarette lighter socket so the battery should be in tip top condition (the charger isn't saying there is a problem, so unless I've managed to set it up wrongly?).

I've reconnected the charger to the battery itself, and I guess I'll have to leave it for a few hours. However, if it's not the battery - and I don't know why it should be - then I have no idea why it won't turn over properly, or start.

Any ideas PHers? I could call Porsche Assist, but I will feel a bit foolish if it's something obvious!

Thanks

Steve

[Trev450]

Sounds like a faulty battery. Short of checking the battery connections are tight I would call out Porsche Assist.

[Barry Ashcroft]

Is the cigarette socket permanantley powered?

[Paul991]

Had to call out Porsche Assist myself on Boxing Day. Stopped at a garage to fill up with petrol and afterwards the engine wouldn't turn over fast enough to fire. The RAC came out and jump started it then followed me home. They tested the alternator, which was ok, but then tested the battery and confirmed it needed replacing. So I'm off to the OPC in the morning to get relieved of some readies.

Interesting thing is that I had been aware for a few weeks that the engine was turning over slower so I had the CTEK connected on trickle, but there was no indication that there was any problem with the battery.

[Martian O]

Barry Ashcroft said:

Is the cigarette socket permanantley powered?

Yes they are on a 997.

[gsewell]

If a battery cannot hold charge for 4 weeks without some form of charger, it is faulty and no amount of charging will get it to work reliably.

From what I understand, these trickle chargers are for people who lay up their cars for winter (3-4 months)

[IainF]

You may need to leave the CTEK charging for some time. It took me from 4pm on Christmas afternoon to 8am on Tuesday to restore the battery in my Gt3. That will teach me not to use it! Oh, and I think you need to connect the CTEK to the battery before switching it on at the wall. when I switched it on first, then connected it to the battery, it didn't seem to charge.

[fulham911club]

IainF said:

You may need to leave the CTEK charging for some time. It took me from 4pm on Christmas afternoon to 8am on Tuesday to restore the battery in my Gt3. That will teach me not to use it! Oh, and I think you need to connect the CTEK to the battery before switching it on at the wall. when I switched it on first, then connected it to the battery, it didn't seem to charge.

This. The CTEK is great but it isn't a power boost!! Try it again for at least 24hours.

If the car still won't start then you'll need a new battery. And don't get a rip-off Porsche one but be prepared for the sanctimonious comment on your service siip stating that it isn't a Porsche battery....