997 getting difficult to start

[997GT3]

Not sure whether the starting procedure on my GT3 is relevant to all 997's:-

Turn ignition key as far as it goes, wait a second or two for systems to start up, message on instrument cluster says "depress clutch pedal", car starts.

Anyhow, my GT3 is getting difficult to start because when i depress the clutch there is one click noise from the rear and nothing. The process needs repeating until the car fires. It is sometimes taking up to 10 attempts now to get started. The battery is absolutely fine.

Is there some kind of microswitch/relay that does this operation, the replacement of which will cure this? What cost could i be looking at?

[ttdan]

I don't start it quite like that.

Put key in, steering lock disengages, turn key one click, it all lights uo and wirrs etc, wait til this stops, depress clutch fully, turn to start.

you sound like you are using the clutch pedal as the last part of the sequence?

[majordad]

Same problem with my 997 GT 3 and OPC. They said battery, I said no way. I checked battery myself and now it's going back to them for what I said it was.... starter ( solenoid ). The problem has been there for at least a year but I thought I was imagining it. Anyone else got this problem ?

[997GT3]

Yes, mine has been like this (but never as bad) for about a year now. So have you a costing for replacing this solenoid yet? Where is it located?

[majordad]

It will be done under extended warranty next week. OPC Belfast.I'll let you know what happens and the cost.

[997GT3]

What's an extended warranty?

Hopefully the repair cost wont be as much as one of those!!

[Time Bandit]

Had this problem for about a year. Despite 3 visits to OPC, the last time I left it with them for a week, they could find no fault.
Subsequently took it to my local auto electrician and explained the problem. He tested the battery and diagnosed a faulty cell. Fitted a new Bosch battery, same size but with nearly twice the capacity. This took around ten minutes and cost £85. It has started first time, every time, for over a year now.

[paul garmin]

sounds like battery rather than starter solenoid

[Moosh]

paul garmin said:

sounds like battery rather than starter solenoid

+1

[One Trick Pony]

I occasionally have the same although my battery is always hooked upto a CTEK if it's left for more than a couple of days.

[IMI A]

I had a faulty solenoid replaced under warranty - no idea of cost though. Seems to be a problem with a few 997 GT1 block cars then...

[997GT3]

Moosh said:

paul garmin said:

sounds like battery rather than starter solenoid

+1

I've just returned from an OPC having had this checked out. The car took 4 attempts this morning to start, but as usual with these things the car behaved itself upon arrival. The technician managed to replicate the non-start scenario once out of approx 25 attempts.
He's confirmed that the battery is fine and the probable cause is the starter solenoid. They would like me to leave the car with them for a few days to confirm this as the problem seems worse upon cold start-ups.
My query is they say it would need a new starter at £277 but can the faulty solenoid not be replaced on its own?

[Paul O]

I've got the same problem on my Cayman. It's going in Wednesday but Google and my indi say it sounds like the solonoid that detects if the clutch is down. Shouldnt be expensive to fix but will let you know.

A workaround that was suggested on another forum in the meantime is to keep the ignition at "start" even if it says depress clutch. It should start anyway after about 5 seconds. Works for me at the minute

Edited by Paul O on Saturday 10th April 12:22

[Paul O]

Hi all,

I had my clutch switch replaced yesterday, no problems since (only used it a couple of times though!).

Cost a tenner from my local specialist (Porsche Euro, Barnsley), who put it on as part of my service. They noted that there could be a few other things which may cause the issue, but in my case, the switch seems to have resolved the problem.

Cheers!

Paul.

[997GT3]

Thanks for the update Paul, but what is a clutch switch? Will a GT3 also have this?

[Paul O]

The switch is a microswitch of sorts which fits behind the clutch pedal. It is used to determine if the clutch pedal is pressed down when starting.

As you press the clutch down, there is a faint click which is the switch engaging.

Replacing this sorted the problem out for me. I'm not sure if its present on the GT3, but I'd assume it is if you get the "Press clutch pedal" message when you turn the ignition.

Sorry it isn't a more technical reply, thats about the extent of my knowledge I'm afraid! :-s

Cheers!

[997GT3]

My GT3's starting problem has eased, starting first or second attempt - probably due to more frequent use after its winter lay-up.

Thanks for the info though, which i may need at some point in the future, but hopefully much further into the future!

[Candellara]

Stumbled across this thread, as my car has developed exactly the same issue as Post 1

Did anyone get a definitive diagnosis / fix?

Seems to be a fairly common problem? So far, differing posts by differing owners on other forums have suggested:

Battery - mines ok, as when the car does crank, it spins over fine
Main cable to starter solenoid - haven't checked
Starter solenoid / motor itself - haven't checked
Clutch switch - mine seems fine
Ignition swith - not checked

Edited by Candellara on Monday 21st November 16:19

[majordad]

Sorry for not updating this. My Gt3 spent weeks in Porsche Belfast being diagnosed. No luck. I said to Service Advisor to drive it as his daily car and after 2 weeks the fault happened with him. He photographed it on his I phone. Cause found to be the ECU which was replaced by Porsche under warranty. But note, they would not contemplate changing parts one by one just to see what the cause was. Car has now done 6000mls and 8 mths faultless !

HTH

[cragswinter]

majordad said:

I said to Service Advisor to drive it as his daily car and after 2 weeks

That's what it took for them to find the problem for you??