How "touchy" are 993's to less than perfect batteries?
09-04-2002, 12:56 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
How "touchy" are 993's to less than perfect batteries?
I have a '96 C4S that had a bout of "not starting a few days ago. It just all of a sudden would not turn over. Nothing. No grinding, nothing. I thought it was an immobilizer problem. Still might be. I also thought it could be an alarm glitch. Still could be. Even though I had no reason to think the battery needed charging (all lights are bright, etc) the car wasn't driven much for at least several weeks before this series of events so I charged the battery.
Now it may be total coincidence, but the car is starting fine now.
Could it be that the immobilizer/electrical system of the 993 is so darn touchy that a battery that is even moderately low on charge would stop it from starting?
I want to remind you that the system didn't even let the ignition turn the starter motor. It was as if it was in total shut down mode. Strange. Would a moderately low battery do this.
Should I go and spend $90 on a DieHard? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
Now it may be total coincidence, but the car is starting fine now.
Could it be that the immobilizer/electrical system of the 993 is so darn touchy that a battery that is even moderately low on charge would stop it from starting?
I want to remind you that the system didn't even let the ignition turn the starter motor. It was as if it was in total shut down mode. Strange. Would a moderately low battery do this.
Should I go and spend $90 on a DieHard? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
09-04-2002, 01:06 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
A low battery will not let the drive block to disengage. I had the same problem with a low battery , once it was replaced no problem. The car will not even turn over if the drive block is engaged. I had this happen at the track with a new battery. The fan was running while the car was parked and that was enough to drain the battery low enough to keep the drive block from working. I jumped the battery and was able to turn the drive block off and start the car. Optima Orange top is a very good replacement battery. Around $120.00.
09-04-2002, 01:07 PM
#3
RL Technical Advisor
Hi Brad:
These cars are rather sensitive to battery voltages and things either do not function, or operate strangely when the battery voltage drops below 11.2v (no-load).
From your description, I would venture a guess that you might have some battery-to-cable corrosion/oxidation or the battery is no longer healthy. Depending upon the voltage at the time you attempted the start, it should have "clicked", unless it was really low.
Next time this happens, put a DVM across the terminals and read the voltage to see where it is. Below 10.7v, it will not do anything,.....
These cars are rather sensitive to battery voltages and things either do not function, or operate strangely when the battery voltage drops below 11.2v (no-load).
From your description, I would venture a guess that you might have some battery-to-cable corrosion/oxidation or the battery is no longer healthy. Depending upon the voltage at the time you attempted the start, it should have "clicked", unless it was really low.
Next time this happens, put a DVM across the terminals and read the voltage to see where it is. Below 10.7v, it will not do anything,.....
09-04-2002, 03:06 PM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
GREAT! This gives me hope for the problems I have have been having.
Now my next question, the only two batteries (so far) I have found in my area are Duralast (AutoZone $60) and DieHard (Sears $99). They are both 700 CCA Cold Cranking Amps. Is there any difference between these batteries?
I will keep looking for the Optima, Eric. It seems to maybe be a bit more specialized than the rest.
Now my next question, the only two batteries (so far) I have found in my area are Duralast (AutoZone $60) and DieHard (Sears $99). They are both 700 CCA Cold Cranking Amps. Is there any difference between these batteries?
I will keep looking for the Optima, Eric. It seems to maybe be a bit more specialized than the rest.
09-04-2002, 03:12 PM
#5
fyi, you can buy the optima mail order. Since it's completely sealed, there aren't any problems with shipping.
I have the optima orange top, which has a higher CCA. I think that the porshce min spec is something like 650. Do an archive search on "optima battery" and you'll see tons and tons of hits. This was a topic that I was especially active on.
And if that isn't enough, search the old 993/996 archives. We talked about batteries there too.
Long story short, I would not get the optima orange top again. I would try to get a sealed battery though, since my luggage has signs of being previouly schorched by battery acid.
(
Jeff
I have the optima orange top, which has a higher CCA. I think that the porshce min spec is something like 650. Do an archive search on "optima battery" and you'll see tons and tons of hits. This was a topic that I was especially active on.
And if that isn't enough, search the old 993/996 archives. We talked about batteries there too.
Long story short, I would not get the optima orange top again. I would try to get a sealed battery though, since my luggage has signs of being previouly schorched by battery acid.
(Jeff
09-04-2002, 04:22 PM
#6
Addict & Guru
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
[quote]Originally posted by BradB:
<strong>Now it may be total coincidence, but the car is starting fine now.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Brad
Coincidence, my a$$. What about my "laying on hands" last Monday. Bet you've had no troubles since then, right?
However, if faith healing isn't enough for you, my Interstate MTP-91 (Type 48) battery has perfomed flawlessly for 2++ years, is a perfect fit and has a vent. Let me know if you need a local source ($75).
<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=000867" target="_blank">Battery Thread w/links - 8/01</a>
<strong>Now it may be total coincidence, but the car is starting fine now.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Brad
Coincidence, my a$$. What about my "laying on hands" last Monday. Bet you've had no troubles since then, right?
However, if faith healing isn't enough for you, my Interstate MTP-91 (Type 48) battery has perfomed flawlessly for 2++ years, is a perfect fit and has a vent. Let me know if you need a local source ($75).
<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=000867" target="_blank">Battery Thread w/links - 8/01</a>
09-04-2002, 05:01 PM
#7
Racer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Louisville, KY
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I had the same thing happen: went out to the garage one morning before work, turned the key, and NOTHING. No signs, no hints, no nothing. I bought the Die Hard to replace. It has the overflow tube, and has performed flawlessly for 2 years.
Hope you don't have the same situation I did - I believe the reason the battery spontaneously died was there was no water in it. Because of this, the alternator was working overtime to keep the battery charged, which is why I didn't notice any problems. The cells in the battery finally let go. The alternator died a month later. While replacing the alternator, I noticed the cracked/peeling/missing insulation on my 1995 wiring harness at the alternator attachment point. This was in the days before this was a hot topic on Rennlist, so I taped it up and went on my way...I brought it up with our local dealer many months later, armed with a printout from E.J.'s site. They brushed it off like I was listening to the wrong preacher. Time will tell.
Hope you don't have the same situation I did - I believe the reason the battery spontaneously died was there was no water in it. Because of this, the alternator was working overtime to keep the battery charged, which is why I didn't notice any problems. The cells in the battery finally let go. The alternator died a month later. While replacing the alternator, I noticed the cracked/peeling/missing insulation on my 1995 wiring harness at the alternator attachment point. This was in the days before this was a hot topic on Rennlist, so I taped it up and went on my way...I brought it up with our local dealer many months later, armed with a printout from E.J.'s site. They brushed it off like I was listening to the wrong preacher. Time will tell.
