Hi Guys

Hoping someone can give me some ideas on what to check for an intermittent starting problem I've experienced twice over the past two months. Both times, I was out for a spirited drive, shut down the car for a short time (less than 5 minutes), and when I went to start it up, no go. The voltage would drop right off so much that the odometer would reset. After 3-4 tries at starting, it catches. It's a weak catch, but does start up. If it sits for something like a lunch break, no problem starting.

Voltage meter shows 12.6V at rest, 13.7V charging. The car sits about a week at a time with a Porsche cigarette lighter battery maintainer plugged in. No issue with first start after sitting.

Any help/advice appreciated.

 

How old is the battery? You'll likely need to do a charging system and battery load test. Sounds like your car is already doing one.

 

Good point. It's the original battery AFAIK. Build date 6/03. Past time for a new battery. What are folks putting in nowadays?

What do you mean, "Sounds like your car is already doing one"?

BTW, nice looking car you have!

 

Check your alternator too. I know of a local 996 GT3 whose owner had difficulty starting the car and awhile later the alternator failed catastrophically while on track going into a braking zone.

 

Chris what happens when an alternator castatophically fails? Does it literally explode or after the fact hitting a wall or both? Mike

 

My friend lost power, engine shut off ... not good when doing 100mph into a heavy braking zone.

He just locked up a front wheel, flatspotting it to the steel belts, and slowed down enough to drive onto the grass.

Oddly enough, another 996 GT3s alternator failed the next day but not on track. Weird.

 

I just meant it may already be doing a load test and results in a significant voltage drop. Let us know what you find. SY Rules!

 

Got it, Makes sense to a numb nuts like me. Anything electrical or electronic is a mystery to me. I can do most mechanical work, but just hate to touch sparky!!

 

I had a load test done on my alternator and it's putting out less juice than specified. I'm going to have it rebuilt over the winter.

 

My alternator failed last month. Only way I could tell was the error message and dummy light. Engine still had good power and I was able to drive on battery power as well as restart twice to move the car.

 

i have starting issues which may be unrelated, i dont know. If i turn the key on, nothing happens initially ... but i keep the key in the same position and depress the clutch couple of times and then the engine starts. I feel like the circuitry thinks that the clutch is engaged and doesnt want to start. Please advise.

thanks,
Aravind

 

Is such a test a DIY, or do I need to take it to a shop/dealer?

 

Any shop can do it. You can also take your battery ans alternator to most any Autozone or Sears to get them tested.

 

Any shop can do it. You can also take your battery and alternator to most any Autozone or Sears to get them tested.

 

I have a friend had a similar issue. The car had a fried wire behind the fuse box.