Sporadic starting
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Palos Verdes, Ca.
Sporadic starting
My 09 6 speed turbo is now often clicking when I first turn the key. On the second (or sometimes the first try) it starts. There is a distinct click back by the starter but the engine doesn't turn over, When it does start it seems to turn over fine. I keep it on a battery tender so I doubt it's a weak battery. I suspect either a faulty starter or solenoid (not sure it they are one unit or can be serviced separately) or possible a corroded connection. Have anyone else faced this to help me zero in on the cause?
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How old is your battery? I use a tender whenever I go more than a day or two of not driving. A few weeks back I noticed that the tender was spending more time in "refresh" than "maintain" mode (amber vs green lights). Three weeks later, the battery was toast. The battery had been in the car seven years.
A maintainer/tender does not a guarantee a battery won't fail. Many places will check your battery in a couple of minutes.
YMMV
A maintainer/tender does not a guarantee a battery won't fail. Many places will check your battery in a couple of minutes.
YMMV
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Palos Verdes, Ca.
The battery is a distinct possibility, although always on a tender they don't like to sit and my battery is a few years old. I plan to have it tested, but the lack of turnover makes me think starter or a corroded connection from the battery to the starter.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Palos Verdes, Ca.
It's a 6 speed, about 38K miles with a battery that is probably at least 5 years old, but kept on a tender. Lots of good insight offered. Someone did tell me that the cable was improved by the time my 09 was built so I'm hopeful i won't have to replace it, which I've read is a big job. Haven't had a chance to get it in the shop, but will start with checking the battery and connections at both ends. If this doesn't work I'm thinking starter.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,645
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From: Exton, PA
OK, so it's probably not the wiring (reports of wiring issues on TIP'S).
That leaves starter & ignition switch.
Based on your description I would start with the starter. (Don't know about just replacing the solenoid, but as been mentioned, a click, means it is trying to send power to the starter).
Ed
That leaves starter & ignition switch.
Based on your description I would start with the starter. (Don't know about just replacing the solenoid, but as been mentioned, a click, means it is trying to send power to the starter).
Ed
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From: Palos Verdes, Ca.
Agreed, could be the starter but could also be a current drop due to the cable or corroded connections. A week battery (particularly with w weak connection) could also be the problem. Doubt it's the ignition switch but anything is possible. Just wanted to draw on the considerable knowledge of the community before tackling the problem.
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Joined: Feb 2021
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From: So Cal
I had this issue when it was hot out or sitting from heat soak. When cold it was "normal", but after it got hot the starter would just click sometimes. I replaced the battery, kept it on a maintainer, drove it once a week and it only help it spin faster when cold but didn't fix the non start. I was getting ready to inspect the positive cable as a I saw in the 997 section that some people found theirs corroded and cleaning/replacing it help starting. But I ended up changing the starter. "just because", when I had the engine out to do the coolant pipes. The starting problem went away and as a matter of fact I replaced the stock battery with a PC925. But now it spins even faster under heat soak than before when it was cold and I don't both with the maintainer anymore. I am the third owner and don't think the starter has ever been replaced.
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From: Palos Verdes, Ca.
Thx tuner562 for your response. I haven't actually driven the car since this surfaced. I tired starting it a week or two ago to go to an event, and didn't want to get out somewhere to find that it wouldn't start at all. I'm lucky enough to have something else interesting to drive until I resolve the problem. BTW, how many miles on your 997?