Battery charge on a 996

[markh11]

I have just had an incident where I was unable to start my car (1999, 996).

I unlocked car ok, but when I tried to start engine it was dead, then alaram sounded. Further tries were fruitless, it was dead.

Spoke to OPC who thought the battery had died (alarm sounded as it noticed drop in charge etc..). ok, call to RAC. I wait.

Decided to give it another go and started first time.

Is this possible, Ie dead one min, ok the next ?

What charge should the battery sit at in normal driving conditions ?

I intend to get the battery replaced, any recomendations.

Thanks.

[lightweight]

I dont know how long you were parked but whenever I parked for more than 24 hours at the airport with a 996 the car cuts out the electrics and all goes dead to save the battery inc remote unlocking then when you open the car with the key the alarm sounds as you start the car the system resets(normal aparently). could it have been along those lines??

[markh11]

I had been parked half an hour after driving where I was for 15 mins.

It does sound similar, except when I opened car it did not reset immediately. After the alarm sounding I tried a further few times without success. It was only when I left it for a few mins that it worked.

[996 turbo]

Sounds like a similar problem to the one I had. It turned out to be a dead / faulty cell in the Porsche battery. I had it replaced and it did the same thing again within 3 weeks. I have been told there is a design flaw in the official Porsche battery which means it can be killed by running it too low.

It did the same thing as yours a couple of times appears V.Low or dead then (normally at the OPC) behaves fine for a couple of days.

I now have a BOSCH and haven't had a problem since (touch-wood).

Steve, 996TT

[cyrus1971]

yes I had the same issue as Steve and bought a Bosche (Silver) 88 Amp battery and no issues at all so far . Standing current should bebetween 12 and 14 on the guage.

[markh11]

Had all sorts of fun and games starting the engine this morning - alarm constantly sounding.

Eventually got it going and have now had the battery replaced.

Early signs all seems ok.

looking back, it has been going for a few days as starting has seemed 'harder' the last few days of use. Now it starts crisply and springs into life.

[orpheus]

My battery also died (2001 996) a couple of weeks ago.
Mr Sod dictated it had enough juice to get me away from home, but not enough to get me back!

The nearest Porsche dealer didn't have any batteries charged, so I ended up buying a VW Passat battery.
Fits perfectly, does what it's meant to, and is £70 cheaper than a Porsche one!