I am having an issue with my 2003 where it cold starts just fine, but once my car is warm and I pull into a gas station or something and try to start back up within 5 minutes it only half cranks, goes silent then the motor randomly fires up.....


However, if when it stops cranking and I keep cranking the key it will make that awful grind noise as if the car is already on and you tried to crank it after....


very strange thing is this only happens on warm starts???

 

If it's the starter, make sure you replace the y-cable while you're in there. If it's not toast already, it will be soon.

 

Isla is correct ,the Y connector is one potential location of a high resistance caused by corrosion. In your location ,salt+melted snow may be a cause ?
Just "Search" for some good threads and photos of the infamous ;Y; connector.

 

Definitely the starter. You can get a new Bosch starter from Amazon. Don't get a re-man starter. Maybe the y cable is also responsible, but not the problem.

 

have the electrical system checked by a good shop......starting [pun] with batt/starter amp draw and voltage drop. or poke n hope and throw parts at it

 

That's my point, replace the cable anyway. It's $65, will go bad sooner than later, and he will already be in the same area for labor cost (or his own personal time) if replacing the starter.

 

I have a close friend/mechanic who has worked on my past 12 cars. He also is a P-Car guy...


Anyone have a link to the type of Bosch Starter I need exactly? are their starters specific to N/A 996 cars? (Sorry for the dumb Monday morning question)

 

This is the correct one and get the starter cable from sunset porsche parts. I think it's like $40 or so.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-SR0808N-New-Starter/dp/B000EPSYG8?tag=viglink20410-20

 

My '03 C2 does something like this, too (starts great but if shut down and then re-started shortly thereafter, hesitates to a noticeable degree). It has a new (4 month old) red top AGM, so plenty of juice is available.

I'll have the system checked when it goes in for annual maintenance.
Good info on the Y cable - thanks.