germanspeed

Ok so my C2 is having trouble starting recently. I turn the key and it is almost as if the battery is dead but if I hold the key in the START position it eventually fires to life. Runs fine after starting....just replaced the battery. Any thoughts on what would cause this???

Laker

First step, is to confirm ground straps are clean and tight. The starter has it's own ground strap. Others here have reported your symptoms as being caused by the starter on it's way out.

Rocket Rob

+1 - Check your ground straps. Remember there are two. One is at the battery and the second one is between the starter and the bottom of the car.

Can you elaborate more when you say its hard to start? Does it turn over but not fire? Or is the starter not engaging?

germanspeed

well the starter engages but it is very slow....like it has a dead battery or something...then if you hold the key in the start position it picks back up and roars to life.

Rocket Rob

I would rule out the DME relay. If you have recently replaced the battery, I would suspect either bad battery/ground connections or a weak/worn starter. I would start with removing, cleaning and reconnecting all of the electrical connections. If that doesn't resolve the problem, then need a new starter.

Porsche964FP

I had this same problem, a new battery changed all that.

Laker

Is the new battery fully charged and rated at enough amps?

911Jetta

I had similar symptoms a couple weeks ago. In the weeks before the starter finally gave out it would sometimes start perfectly OK. Other times it would start to crank, go silent and then jump to life. It progressively got worse, with a long second (or 2) of silence and then it seemed to jump to life at the last second. Sometimes with a bit of a metallic clank. Unfortunately I played this game for too long and stranded myself. I've haven't rolled a car down a hill to jump start it in a while...

New started fixed everything.

germanspeed

YES, its a brand new OEM battery

crg53

Mine had the same symptoms as yours, but only when the engine was at operating temp; cold starts were fine. A new starter motor fixed the problem.

germanspeed

how much did that cost you? if you don't mind me asking....

Rocket Rob

Rebuilt starters are about $225. Are you replacing it yourself or having your mechanic do it? Its doable as a DIY if you have the tools. See the thread below.

https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...ter-motor.html

Silvertarga

I found a NEW ...Not rebuilt.... Bosch starter for $260.00 including shipping after 15% discount) autopartswarehouse Part #: W0133-1597401

Odd thing, new one is less than remanufactured..

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...%26+Drivetrain

crg53

My local INDY quoted me around $1000.00 to do the job, that was with a new stater motor, I did it myself with a remanufactured Bosch starter for around $250.00. It is not that difficult a job to do, if you have the facility, and can get the car up on jack stands. My car is a C2, the C4 and Tiptronic may be different.

P.S. Let me know if you want me to post a picture of the tool needed for that top nut on the starter motor , that is the one most people are having trouble with.

Silvertarga

Please do..