PS......my volt meter is on par with everyone else's. It stays on or slightly below 14.

 

Don't rule out the igition switch,

 

Any idea how to identify whether it's the starter or ignition switch?

 

I got the battery tested, and its fine. So from everyone's input here it seems very likely that it's the starter. I've had an ignition switch go bad, and that behaved very differently, so I'm sure that's not it.

Until the problem gets worse and/or I have some time on my hands, I'll probably do nothing. If it is a starter/heat problem, I'll have to do something before summer temps arrive, so I'll either replace the starter myself or take it to a local garage (any independent recommendations on the SF Peninsula?). I've got the tech manuals, and it looks like a pretty easy task, its more if I want to spend time or money on the problem.


Bob

 

It is your starter. I am 100% sure. Don't mess with the battery or the alternator or ignition switch. I had the exact same symptoms for the last 6-12 months, with the exact same car [MY 2000 C2]: cold start (or 1st start) was not really a problem (well it appeared at the time to be ok (see below)). Any other start after the engine was running for more than 5 minutes seemed like a "low" battery. Sometimes it would need a good cranking to get going. I was contemplating whether I would be stranded due to a non-starting car (which didn't seem out of the question - although the symptoms weren't that dramatic). Eh, I tend to get nervous early, lol.

Anyway, I had the battery replaced, and this helped, but did not fix the problem. I had a fuel systems diagnostics done and there was no fuel systems issues.

Turns out the starter was just old. I had the starter replaced under my aftermarket warranty and all is right as rain. In fact, in retrospect my cold starts were actually a little slow. With the new starter, it fires up almost instantly whether cold, 2nd, 3rd, etc. etc.

I believe that a new starter plus all labor would have been around $1000. My out of pocket was $50 under warranty.

-td

 

Just bought a starter off ebay. Hard to believe the price so I hope it's okay. A NEW Bosch for $206, plus shipping. I think I will just give my local mechanic the proper directions and let him take a shot at it. I'm pretty sure he's never worked on a Porsche.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-B...QQcmdZViewItem

 

That is a very good price for a new unit. Let us know if the problem is fixed.

 

I thought that price was unbelievable as well. Pelican wanted $250, plus a core charge of $100 for a remanu. starter.

 

last time I discovered I had a starting problem was when my P didn't start...hope this helps.

1st time I blew (a fuse) had it towed and paid 175 bucks to get the fuse replaced (yes I am an idiot)
2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5time I drained the battery, left XM radio charger in lighter and last time I replaced the battery.....

Now my P drives like never before......Okay now I am reading your last post and you were referring to a actual starter!!! Anyway just read this for no reason.....