CTEK and 981 Cayman
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
CTEK and 981 Cayman
Seeking advice regarding behavior of CTEK MUS 4.3 and my 2016 Cayman base. Vehicle was manufactured in Sept 2015.
I have successfully used CTEK MUS 4.3 with my 981 for over two years, connecting through the cig lighter. The CTEK behaved "by the book", running through all stages of the charging cycle up to the green “Fully Charged” light.
Recently, the CTEK behavior changed. It will now cycle up to the fourth light, and turn off before getting to the fifth light. I haven’t made any changes to the 981 settings or the CTEK. This new behavior is confounding.
I called CTEK support. Their diagnosis is that the 981 is going into a sleep mode, and disconnecting the battery from the cig lighter. Upon sensing this, the CTEK turns itself off.
Does anyone have any advice as to what may have caused this change in behavior?
Thanks for any insights.
I have successfully used CTEK MUS 4.3 with my 981 for over two years, connecting through the cig lighter. The CTEK behaved "by the book", running through all stages of the charging cycle up to the green “Fully Charged” light.
Recently, the CTEK behavior changed. It will now cycle up to the fourth light, and turn off before getting to the fifth light. I haven’t made any changes to the 981 settings or the CTEK. This new behavior is confounding.
I called CTEK support. Their diagnosis is that the 981 is going into a sleep mode, and disconnecting the battery from the cig lighter. Upon sensing this, the CTEK turns itself off.
Does anyone have any advice as to what may have caused this change in behavior?
Thanks for any insights.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 779
From: On a pygmy pony over by the dental floss bush
My CTEK started misbehaving like you describe after a year or so of use. I shipped it to CTEK for investigation. They shipped it back 2+ weeks letter with a test sheet showing all functions tested normally but for some reason they also included a new cable to connect that has the battery terminal spring clamps I typically use. I tried the unit a few more times with exact same bad performance. I threw it in the trash and ordered a Battery Tender. No problems so far with the Battery Tender.
My conclusion after looking at the terminals inside the cable ends of the CTEK before I threw it in the trash is they appeared to show signs of over temp, I believe because of poor quality material selection or poor manufacturing of the cable itself. Not a consistent, tight connection. The loose connections led to high resistance, overheating, and incorrect performance. With a high quality cable and connector terminals it might have lasted for decades, but there was no way to fix the cable end without cutting it of and soldering on a new type on each end of the mating parts. No more CTEK in my household. Some will probably reply to this thread saying their CTEK has lasted for years and years. I suspect somewhere in those years CTEK changed their connector component design or sourced them from China or elsewhere of similar quality. Just telling you my experience. And I'm careful with my equipment, I don't abuse tools or connectors. It was an inferior part of what might be a superior electronics package that ruined me on CTEK. YMMV.
My conclusion after looking at the terminals inside the cable ends of the CTEK before I threw it in the trash is they appeared to show signs of over temp, I believe because of poor quality material selection or poor manufacturing of the cable itself. Not a consistent, tight connection. The loose connections led to high resistance, overheating, and incorrect performance. With a high quality cable and connector terminals it might have lasted for decades, but there was no way to fix the cable end without cutting it of and soldering on a new type on each end of the mating parts. No more CTEK in my household. Some will probably reply to this thread saying their CTEK has lasted for years and years. I suspect somewhere in those years CTEK changed their connector component design or sourced them from China or elsewhere of similar quality. Just telling you my experience. And I'm careful with my equipment, I don't abuse tools or connectors. It was an inferior part of what might be a superior electronics package that ruined me on CTEK. YMMV.
Last edited by okie981; Nov 25, 2020 at 09:09 PM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 292
Likes: 64
Seeking advice regarding behavior of CTEK MUS 4.3 and my 2016 Cayman base. Vehicle was manufactured in Sept 2015.
I have successfully used CTEK MUS 4.3 with my 981 for over two years, connecting through the cig lighter. The CTEK behaved "by the book", running through all stages of the charging cycle up to the green “Fully Charged” light.
Recently, the CTEK behavior changed. It will now cycle up to the fourth light, and turn off before getting to the fifth light. I haven’t made any changes to the 981 settings or the CTEK. This new behavior is confounding.
I called CTEK support. Their diagnosis is that the 981 is going into a sleep mode, and disconnecting the battery from the cig lighter. Upon sensing this, the CTEK turns itself off.
Does anyone have any advice as to what may have caused this change in behavior?
Thanks for any insights.
I have successfully used CTEK MUS 4.3 with my 981 for over two years, connecting through the cig lighter. The CTEK behaved "by the book", running through all stages of the charging cycle up to the green “Fully Charged” light.
Recently, the CTEK behavior changed. It will now cycle up to the fourth light, and turn off before getting to the fifth light. I haven’t made any changes to the 981 settings or the CTEK. This new behavior is confounding.
I called CTEK support. Their diagnosis is that the 981 is going into a sleep mode, and disconnecting the battery from the cig lighter. Upon sensing this, the CTEK turns itself off.
Does anyone have any advice as to what may have caused this change in behavior?
Thanks for any insights.
Edit: Whoops didn't see that you've been successfully charging this way before. Mine never worked from the start. Know anyone else with a CTEK charger to swap and rule out the charger itself?
Last edited by various cheeses; Nov 26, 2020 at 12:23 AM.
Track Day
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 41
From: Pacific NW
I have a CTEK MXS 5.0 in my 2013 BS and using the passenger side socket for charging this is what I've found.
If the car is unlocked it will turn the charger off after 30min.
With the car locked the charger will fully charge and the socket will stay live.
Hope that helps.
If the car is unlocked it will turn the charger off after 30min.
With the car locked the charger will fully charge and the socket will stay live.
Hope that helps.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 742
Likes: 459
From: Smyrna GA
This is software dependent and the dealer can correct it if you wish to where the plug stays live at all times. My footwell switch has operated this was since the very beginning and requires no locking of doors. The OPs car has been operating fine like this for 2 years as well, so the issue is obviously with the charger itself and not the car shutting the socket down unless the car has recently had some sort of update at the dealer that may have changed the behavior
Last edited by ICNU; Nov 26, 2020 at 09:11 AM.
