Dead 993

[oops]

I've come back from skiing to find my 993 dead. It was left on a trickle charger which normally does the business.

The symptoms are that the engine won't turn over. However it doesn't even *attempt* to turn over, and instead my dashboard warning lights flash at a 1 second interval once I've turned the ignition key from cold. The hazard lights flash 10 times once I've locked the car up (I think it's trying to tell me something).

If it was a battery problem I'd expect to a) hear the engine attempt to turn (even just the starter moter/solenoid) b) no warning lights. At the moment it looks like the Blackpool Illuminations The doors will unlock from the remote control, but not lock.

So is this an immobiliser problem or similar ? Electrics stuffed ? I've only just had it serviced and am wondering if something's been disturbed. Any comments/thoughts would be good!

[Henry-F]

Sounds like a really flat battery. Presuming the dash lights come on as normal with ignition turned on (uses very little power) then go on & off with an associated click as the starter tries to throw in (using huge power).

Henry

[oops]

Thx for a quick response. The dashboard lights flash every second even when the starter is not being tried (key in ignition and turned to the first stop), which made me think it's not a battery problem. It's been on the trickle charger for 2 weeks - perhaps I should stick it on a proper charger for a couple of days and see what happens (I'm assuming my trickle charger is ok, but that may not be the case).

Edited by oops on Saturday 24th February 14:39

[abarber]

oops said:

Thx for a quick response. The dashboard lights flash every second even when the starter is not being tried (key in ignition and turned to the first stop), which made me think it's not a battery problem. It's been on the trickle charger for 2 weeks - perhaps I should stick it on a proper charger for a couple of days and see what happens (I'm assuming my trickle charger is ok, but that may not be the case).

Edited by oops on Saturday 24th February 14:39

Do the dashboard lights dim / go out when you try and crank it? If they do, it's probably the battery like Henry says. Otherwise, perhaps the alarm. Could also be worth changing the DME.

[oops]

No. There's no cranking at all. I don't think the starter is getting activated at any stage.

[9hellheaven]

Turn the lights on full beam then try to start it.

[Paul Dishman]

I'd say you need a new battery. There is just enough left in the battery to send the immobiliser nuts, but not enough to turn the starter. Probably a cell is collapsing....

[oops]

If the lights are on when I attempt to start it, they dim. So it does suggest that something's drawing current on startup.

I checked the DME and it's a 993 series and not the 944 (which I understand is the troublesome type). I also smelt it (supposedly this is a sign of failure) and it smelt no different to the rest of the stuff in the fuse box! I assume this is good.

So I've reluctantly concurred that it's the battery. It's on a deep charge at the moment and we'll see later what happens. Still, I musn't grumble. It's been ages since I had it replaced. 13 months and 1700 miles is a good innings

Thanks for everyone's advice/comments etc. Will keep you posted.

Edited by oops on Saturday 24th February 16:24

[giw12]

oops said:

If the lights are on when I attempt to start it, they dim. So it does suggest that something's drawing current on startup.

I checked the DME and it's a 993 series and not the 944 (which I understand is the troublesome type). I also smelt it (supposedly this is a sign of failure) and it smelt no different to the rest of the stuff in the fuse box! I assume this is good.

So I've reluctantly concurred that it's the battery. It's on a deep charge at the moment and we'll see later what happens. Still, I musn't grumble. It's been ages since I had it replaced. 13 months and 1700 miles is a good innings

Thanks for everyone's advice/comments etc. Will keep you posted.

Edited by oops on Saturday 24th February 16:24

I think that might be the reason

[Caddyshack]

I agree that the battery may be dead but I would perhaps investigate what is making it go dead. Speak to someone like RSR engineering on 01428 602911 (Russle Lewis) he will be able to point you in the right direction.

[Pickled Piper]

oops said:

I checked the DME and it's a 993 series and not the 944 (which I understand is the troublesome type). I also smelt it (supposedly this is a sign of failure) and it smelt no different to the rest of the stuff in the fuse box! I assume this is good.

The symptoms of a fault with the DME relay ar that the engine cranks as normal but does not fire. It's definitely not a DME problem that you have

pp

[gilesveitch]

check that the wiring loom in the engine bay has not started to break down. There was a recall for early non vario-ram cars that received a shorter loom with not enough slack in it. The heat in the engine bay can shrink the loom over time and cause cracking of the wiring insulation. This can cause running problems and could be a fire hazard if a serious short-circuit occurs.
Porsche replaced my wiring loom a couple of years ago , free gratis. Worth checking!?