Battery & Warranty - why do Porsche use such cr@p battery's?
Discussion
A couple of surprises this morning...first it looks like I have a flat battery (it's a surprise because I've had it on charge all night!). Second was that it seems they aren't covered under warranty. No idea why but I had it in my head that they were - anyway, I accept that they aren't but it was still a surprise 
So now for my replacement options. I'm not keen on the idea of fitting another, frankly crap, Porsche battery. What are the implications of me fitting a Bosch item particularly in terms of warranty?
Last, it's a Boxster Spyder and has a relatively lightweight 380A battery. Would Bosch do an equivalent?
Cheers.
So now for my replacement options. I'm not keen on the idea of fitting another, frankly crap, Porsche battery. What are the implications of me fitting a Bosch item particularly in terms of warranty?
Last, it's a Boxster Spyder and has a relatively lightweight 380A battery. Would Bosch do an equivalent?
Cheers.
m33ufo said:
A couple of surprises this morning...first it looks like I have a flat battery (it's a surprise because I've had it on charge all night!). Second was that it seems they aren't covered under warranty. No idea why but I had it in my head that they were - anyway, I accept that they aren't but it was still a surprise
So now for my replacement options. I'm not keen on the idea of fitting another, frankly crap, Porsche battery. What are the implications of me fitting a Bosch item particularly in terms of warranty?
Last, it's a Boxster Spyder and has a relatively lightweight 380A battery. Would Bosch do an equivalent?
Cheers.
There are various warranty conditions, and most of them we ridicule on here. But in all honesty, most of them are pretty far - in that car should be kept close to factory as possible, i.e. no modifications, etc. etc. So now for my replacement options. I'm not keen on the idea of fitting another, frankly crap, Porsche battery. What are the implications of me fitting a Bosch item particularly in terms of warranty?
Last, it's a Boxster Spyder and has a relatively lightweight 380A battery. Would Bosch do an equivalent?
Cheers.
However - when it comes to the battery this is the one that is a joke. We would all be happy to buy the Porsche items if they lasted a REASONABLE amount of time, but given that they don't it effectively means we will have to end up buying a new one every couple of years.
The bosch one will invalidate your warranty. Which frankly is a joke.
Are you sure it's not covered under warranty? I had my battery replaced under warranty on my Boxster last year, the car was over 3 years old at the time and was covered on the extended warranty you can buy after the new car warranty has expired.
Might be worth checking as from memory batteries were included in cover shortly before mine failed.
Miopyk
Might be worth checking as from memory batteries were included in cover shortly before mine failed.
Miopyk
Taken from the "bumper to bumper" warranty literature. It lists the battery as one of these wear and tare items.
"As a car ages, it can undergo visual and
acoustic changes without affecting its
functionality (e.g. surface cracks in the leather).
Certain parts are also subject to ageing and
natural wear. For this reason your Porsche has
scheduled service and maintenance intervals.
Visual and acoustic concerns, ageing and wear
are not defects and are therefore excluded
from the warranty. Highlighted below are the
parts that are typically subject to wear and
hence the cost of their replacement is unlikely
to be covered by the warranty."
"As a car ages, it can undergo visual and
acoustic changes without affecting its
functionality (e.g. surface cracks in the leather).
Certain parts are also subject to ageing and
natural wear. For this reason your Porsche has
scheduled service and maintenance intervals.
Visual and acoustic concerns, ageing and wear
are not defects and are therefore excluded
from the warranty. Highlighted below are the
parts that are typically subject to wear and
hence the cost of their replacement is unlikely
to be covered by the warranty."
Have you checked the electrolyte levels? The most common concern we get with batteries are the ones that are on charge more often than not and dry out.
The battery is covered under Warranty but, as with any part, it is covered for 'manufacturing defects'.
Check the levels - if you have one or more dry cells then the issue lies with the charging pattern/maintenance or charger, but if the levels are good, get the car recovered (if included in the Warranty policy) and be upfront with your 'usage profile' (their description, not mine) and there shouldn't be an issue. The vehicle will have to be checked for electrical defects (closed circuit drain/Alternator charge rate) as part of the battery diagnosis/replacement under Warranty anyway.
BTW the 380A battery is the largest of the lead-acid batteries fitted to the Spyder. The Li-ion option being the smallest/lightest and by far and away the most expensive.
The battery is covered under Warranty but, as with any part, it is covered for 'manufacturing defects'.
Check the levels - if you have one or more dry cells then the issue lies with the charging pattern/maintenance or charger, but if the levels are good, get the car recovered (if included in the Warranty policy) and be upfront with your 'usage profile' (their description, not mine) and there shouldn't be an issue. The vehicle will have to be checked for electrical defects (closed circuit drain/Alternator charge rate) as part of the battery diagnosis/replacement under Warranty anyway.
BTW the 380A battery is the largest of the lead-acid batteries fitted to the Spyder. The Li-ion option being the smallest/lightest and by far and away the most expensive.
Edited by Pope on Sunday 30th December 16:01
Thanks Mr Pope, that's very useful info. I called out Porsche Assistance earlier and with the aid of some electronic gadgetry they diagnosed a faulty battery. I just need to call them again to get my car started so I can drive it in.
I suppose I need to remove the battery to check if it's dry?
I suppose I need to remove the battery to check if it's dry?
Remove the car's battery cover and unscrew the six caps on the top of the battery - a coin works well as normal screwdrivers tend to damage the cap before undoing it!! Look into the cells from above using a torch - each cell has a level indicator fixed in the 'max' position - I should probably mention eye and hand protection and advise to wear gloves as acid is corrosive and on your hands will sting !!
Low levels should be topped up using distilled water
Low levels should be topped up using distilled water
Edited by Pope on Sunday 30th December 20:37
How long are the batteries in newer Porsches lasting? I recently replaced the battery in my '92 964 because one cell had died. I've no idea if it's the original, but it had a Porsche sticker on it.
It's not only modern Porsches that suffer from dodgy batteries. Last year I put a new battery in my '56 plate MX-5. Last month I put a new battery in my '57 plate BMW E61. Both were very sluggish when cranking the engine. Seems like modern batteries last 5 years.
The BMW battery was one of those fancy AGM things, and cost me £240 from an independent!
It's not only modern Porsches that suffer from dodgy batteries. Last year I put a new battery in my '56 plate MX-5. Last month I put a new battery in my '57 plate BMW E61. Both were very sluggish when cranking the engine. Seems like modern batteries last 5 years.
The BMW battery was one of those fancy AGM things, and cost me £240 from an independent!
Pope said:
Remove the cat's battery cover and unscrew the six caps on the top of the battery - a coin works well as normal screwdrivers tend to damage the cap before undoing it!! Look into the cells from above using a torch - each cell has a level indicator fixed in the 'max' position - I should probably mention eye and hand protection and advise to wear gloves as acid is corrosive and on your hands will sting !!
Low levels should be topped up using distilled water
Checked the levels and they all seem normal. A 2 pence piece is perfect!Low levels should be topped up using distilled water
Level's are good, charger used when vehicle is left but battery fails - sounds good for a Warranty claim to me......
Could be a simple battery failure but equally there could be a current drain issue on the car; it will be checked by your OPC once they get it in.
Let us know how you get on
Could be a simple battery failure but equally there could be a current drain issue on the car; it will be checked by your OPC once they get it in.
Let us know how you get on
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