Re-starting issues
 

my 1999 carrera cab starts like a champion when it's cold, like when I start it for the first time in the morning. But when it gets up in temperature and I shut it off, when I try to re-start it seems like there's not enough power to make the engine run. I have to be careful notto drain the battery while trying to re-start several times. It will usually finally start but somtimes I have need a boost... battery is new, alternator is new... when the car gets cold again then it will start like a champion... battery is not draining. Can there be a short or ground issue only when the car's warm??? don't know what to think or do!

Do a search. It's not an uncommon problem. It could be the cable or the starter itself. In one case there was a missing heat shield that caused the problem.

a heat shield issue makes sense since the problem only occurs when the car's warm... what do you mean by do a search?
thank you for you quick reply!
Jacques

Go to the 996 forum main page and click on "Search this forum".

A bad cable or a bad starter can be affected by heat.

I find more hits searching google vs the above search, fwiw...Good luck and report back once you find a fix.

I would place bets on the starter going out. Get a new Bosch starter off Amazon. Been there...done that....solved that.

jvjr, You need to give us more information to get much help here. The most common causes are a failing starter cable, a heat-socked starter or vapor lock from the emissions system. Does it usually start okay if you try to start it again in a few minutes, like say after fueling? Does the engine turn over normally but just not "catch" or does it sound like the starter is turning slowly?

Examples: if it sounds like the starter is turning slowly it is probably the starter or the starter cable. If it does not start after a refueling it is probably the tank vent. If it turns over normally but doesn't catch after the car has sat for 15 minutes or more it is probably the purge valve. I'm sure there are others I didn't list.

Check the CkPS also

I had this similar issue and it happened to be my Y Cable. Starter to Alternator
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...0751e592d3.jpg

This, very common to have high resistance in that cable due to corrosion under the insulation near the connections.

Couple of threads addressing this cable.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ter-cable.html
For a later car
Not exactly the same but Has some pics to help you visualize
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...tor-cable.html

the starter just doesn't have enough power to turn the crank shaft, when I turn on the ignition everything shuts down immediately, even the clock resets. It'll eventually start when hot but it takes several tries. Never happens when it's cold.
Thank you All for your help and support!
J

Thanks jvjr. Sounds like the first guess by wyovino is probably right, either the Y-cable pictured above or the starter itself. They are both common issues. fpb111 gave you a couple of good links. If you do a search in the forum for y-cable or alternator cable you will find plenty of information on it. Also search Pelican Parts for a tutorial on replacing the starter. I believe I remember seeing one on there. I haven't had either issue (knock on wood) but many have I'm sure they can provide you with the right part numbers (if it is the starter get the Bosch they mentioned, much cheaper than Porsche and exact same unit).

Good luck.

There is a voltage drop check you can do to see if there is a difference between the back of the alternator output and the jump terminal post. If the figures arent the same when the car is hot the cable is shot :)

Was too daunting for me to change a few years back so I had it done by the dealership. However having done more work since then I wouldn't hesitate to now do it myself.

Depends on how confident and handy you are, a dealership/indy will charge a bit to change it out.

Excellent! many thanks
J