Tone

Looking for some expertise from the wise:

Situation:
- 2006 911S bought new in early 2007
- Battery replaced in mid 2007 (3yrs ago)
- Average 6k/mi/yr - 500/mo.
- Today battery dead after 5 days of no use (didn't plug in my maintainer which I usually do)
- 11 months ago had an alternator replaced under warranty. Battery checked out fine as did the electrical ground straps.
- Fact warranty exp Feb2011
- When all is working seems to crank at an "ok" speed, not robust but not that weak...

Having dealer check out tomorrow.
My concern is if they say needs another battery and all else checks out fine...i'd be SOL if some other larger elect issues surfaces next yr.

thoughts??

ADias

Do you park your car long periods with electronic devices left powered? iPod, radar alarm, etc.? Do you park with the key in the ignition?

Tone

No devices ever left plugged in.
Key usually not left in, but the most recent occurrence resulting in dead batt after 5 days I did leave the key in the ignition. Do you think leaving the key in would cause that much extra batt drain or is this indicative of a bigger issue?

Mike in CA

Leaving the key in the ignition will definitely cause the battery to drain as on board electronics are actived when the key is inserted. Porsche specifically warns against doing that at several points in the manual.

flankenspeil

There's a TSB for this problem on 997"s. The main alternator harness needs to be replaced.

ADias

Definitely.

ADias

Some cars may need that, not all.

Ucube

I'm still wondering why there would be a reason to leave the car parked with key in the ignition -- for 5 days, no less.

LlBr

Leaving key in ignition killed it.

Another thing (much worse) that can cause it is a defective PCM drawing current when parked.

Edgy01

I don't believe the alternator harness issue is your issue. Your issue is that you don't drive the car enough to keep it alive. It needs another battery, and probably will need another and another over the period of time you keep the car. When you discharge a battery you do nearly unrepairable damage to it, that no charger can restore. The best thing you can do it routinely drive the car. If you can't, absolutely make good friends with a battery dealer--or use the battery maintainer religiously.

Tone

I heard that you're not supposed to drive these cars much & they're designed to be parked and looked at?



ok - just kidding!

Seriously, thanks for the input.
I do want to drive the car more, but due to travel & no commute (a good thing) I struggle to get 500mi/mo - they're GREAT miles though.

I'm pretty religious about the battery maintainer that has worked, of course the one 1 time i forget & leave the key in the ignition to boot for 5 days...I'm dealing w/ a flatbed. My bad. Thought I'd post in case there's more to consider.
Thanks again.
Cheers,

BostonDuce

Had a battery kill like yours in a BMW.

Tried a "Battery Tender", a regular trickle charger, and finally a regular charger set on 10 amps-all failed.

Got a Ctek 7200 and connected it on "recondition"-battery like new.

BD

sullivas

How doe one know if their CPO 2005 997 needs a replacement alternator harness? Or any other TSB's?
The PO of my car said he let the car sit for 2 months and had to replace the battery.
Thanks!

sullivas

Flanken-
I looked at the TSB's on Renntech.org but didn't see any. Can you point me in the right direction?

alexb76

On a similar note, traveling for 2 weeks... I've had already one battery failure, should I be fine leaving it for 2 weeks without battery maintainer?