Jump leads :-(

[mikeg996]

After the world's busiest two weeks, I tried to start the 911 this morning and the battery's gone. Is it OK to jump start a 911 with jump leads?

I hope the battery isn't completely kaput :-(

[The Londoner]

Mine's a regular PITA when it comes to eating it's battery and I have regularly had to resort to jump leads without any ill effects (as far as I can tell!)

[I_Want_That_One]

Using jump leads can cause 'spiking' in the electrical system blowing all sorts of things (above and beyond fuses). It's best to use a switchable jump-pack, connect to the car, then switch the pack on. A good friend managed to blow his PCM unit by jump starting which cost him DEARLY! I think that if the car has an OPC warranty the recovery service guys will come and do this for you FOC.

[stuttgartmetal]

Spiking the cpu will cost you an arm and a leg, I'd invest in a decent extension cable, say 50-100m long,and charger. Undo the negative terminal, and charge it. Start as per normal.

[I_Want_That_One]

Disconnecting the battery will illuminate the air bag failure light which then has to be reset by plugging it in at an OPC or specialist.

[sportsandclassic]

You are better off just charging old battery up on car with a trickle charger.....check what voltage the gauge is producing if its not over 13V on gauge then alternator is probably down on charging capacity...doing quite a few at the moment.

It shouldnt bring on the airbag warning lamp from a battery disconnection...it will just log a power supply problem.

If car has psm you should get steering angle sensor recalibrated at opc/specialist.

If the car is 2005 on wards..ie 997/987 the psm light will be illuminated constant until re-set with machine.

996/986 you will be fine with flat battery.

mike

sportsandclassic

[mikeg996]

Thanks for all your input. I ended up doing it with jump leads, and survived. I also bought a quick starter box and will use that in the future. I think what the car needs is a good charge, as taking it out for an hours spirited driving today didn't improve things much.

[AlexHancock]

If I was you I'd go and buy a new battery now before yours lets you down at the wrong time. Mine went in a similar way and was never much good from then on - the new one is perfect. The battery change is easy (lots of help on here) - it took me about 5 minutes and I didn't suffer any problems (my alarm did go off even with the ignition on but the noise just makes you work faster).