Think Battery is flat???
Discussion
Okay, went to put fuel in the 996, unlocked fine, everything A-okay... twisted key, click click click..
Volts showing 10v (rather than 12 i guess), drivers window acted weird, oh, and alarm went off a bit...
Pretty sure the battery had lost charge (not sure how or why, car got used loads last week and weekend), but wanted to check with you guys first - does this sound like the battery?
I opened the boot while i could - so i can access the battery...
Can I just go get a trickle charger from Halfords (nearest Porsche garage is a long way away and I'm busy for the next few days), and if so, what spec do I need?
Volts showing 10v (rather than 12 i guess), drivers window acted weird, oh, and alarm went off a bit...
Pretty sure the battery had lost charge (not sure how or why, car got used loads last week and weekend), but wanted to check with you guys first - does this sound like the battery?
I opened the boot while i could - so i can access the battery...
Can I just go get a trickle charger from Halfords (nearest Porsche garage is a long way away and I'm busy for the next few days), and if so, what spec do I need?
fidgits said:
Okay, went to put fuel in the 996, unlocked fine, everything A-okay... twisted key, click click click..
Volts showing 10v (rather than 12 i guess), drivers window acted weird, oh, and alarm went off a bit...
Pretty sure the battery had lost charge (not sure how or why, car got used loads last week and weekend), but wanted to check with you guys first - does this sound like the battery?
I opened the boot while i could - so i can access the battery...
Can I just go get a trickle charger from Halfords (nearest Porsche garage is a long way away and I'm busy for the next few days), and if so, what spec do I need?
Sorry Fidg but 10V sounds a lot like one cell (they are 2V each and you usually have 6) has died. Volts showing 10v (rather than 12 i guess), drivers window acted weird, oh, and alarm went off a bit...
Pretty sure the battery had lost charge (not sure how or why, car got used loads last week and weekend), but wanted to check with you guys first - does this sound like the battery?
I opened the boot while i could - so i can access the battery...
Can I just go get a trickle charger from Halfords (nearest Porsche garage is a long way away and I'm busy for the next few days), and if so, what spec do I need?
A healthy battery will often show around 13V.
Any old trickler will do but I'd pick up a battery too while you're at it as it sounds knackered. You'll probably be able to get both cheaper from a local motor factors than Hellfrauds.
As a sanity check, does the voltage rise when she starts? If it does the alternator is doing it's job, if it doesn't, it isn't...
As a sanity check, does the voltage rise when she starts? If it does the alternator is doing it's job, if it doesn't, it isn't...
Don't buy a halfords battery though - it will look very naff in a Porsche come service/resale, get a Bosch silver-top.
Edited to add: A regular 4amp trickle should be fine, for long storage periods just attach it to a timer switch on the wall and give it an hour or two switched on every day.
You can regulate the daily top-up (they self regulate mostly anyhow due to the fixed voltage character) by increasing and descreasing the time allowed each day. Cheap as chips too
Edited to add: A regular 4amp trickle should be fine, for long storage periods just attach it to a timer switch on the wall and give it an hour or two switched on every day.
You can regulate the daily top-up (they self regulate mostly anyhow due to the fixed voltage character) by increasing and descreasing the time allowed each day. Cheap as chips too
Edited by Globulator on Tuesday 27th March 12:02
Sounds like the Battery from my experience.
When I first got my car home I did the usual "kid with a new toy" trick and had a good look around once inside the garage, the following morning I went to start the car and all I got was a click click as you described, voltmeter was showing 6/7 volts
only after I had jumped her off did I realise I had left the interior light on overnight. 
Not wanting to take any chances I phoned my nearest OPC and ordered their Trickle Charger/Smart Charger over the phone, delivered next day via Parcel Force.
Battery's been as good as gold ever since.
Invoive Part No. if required is: P955.044.900.55 (31C Charger) - Price was £71.59 + vat + £1.00 Postage, Total £85.12
HTH.
C.
When I first got my car home I did the usual "kid with a new toy" trick and had a good look around once inside the garage, the following morning I went to start the car and all I got was a click click as you described, voltmeter was showing 6/7 volts
only after I had jumped her off did I realise I had left the interior light on overnight. Not wanting to take any chances I phoned my nearest OPC and ordered their Trickle Charger/Smart Charger over the phone, delivered next day via Parcel Force.
Battery's been as good as gold ever since. Invoive Part No. if required is: P955.044.900.55 (31C Charger) - Price was £71.59 + vat + £1.00 Postage, Total £85.12
HTH.
C.
okay, thanks Guys...
The car is stuck in the garage unfortunatley, so I cant get anyone to test the battery unless I can get her started.
So, I can nip to halfords to get a trickle charger, see if that helps at all... but if a cell has gone, would I be able to start her off the trickle?
What trickle charger should I get? which is most like the Porsche one? (cant afford to wait for the porsche one!)
And then, whats the best battery to get - as for the 'Bosch' in a 911, I kinda agree, but its an old '98, so I dont think it matters as much as if it was a 40 grand one, what spec battery do i need to get?
Whats the best battery to get? (the one in there looks pretty substantial!) Is there any procedure for sorting the battery?
As i said, im a long way from my OPC, and a fair distance from an indy that seems a bit steep from previous conversations - so I do need to think ahead.
Also, I am led to believe that the OPC extended warranty includes breakdown cover, is this right? Is this transferable? Just so worst case they can come pick the car up?
The car is stuck in the garage unfortunatley, so I cant get anyone to test the battery unless I can get her started.
So, I can nip to halfords to get a trickle charger, see if that helps at all... but if a cell has gone, would I be able to start her off the trickle?
What trickle charger should I get? which is most like the Porsche one? (cant afford to wait for the porsche one!)
And then, whats the best battery to get - as for the 'Bosch' in a 911, I kinda agree, but its an old '98, so I dont think it matters as much as if it was a 40 grand one, what spec battery do i need to get?
Whats the best battery to get? (the one in there looks pretty substantial!) Is there any procedure for sorting the battery?
As i said, im a long way from my OPC, and a fair distance from an indy that seems a bit steep from previous conversations - so I do need to think ahead.
Also, I am led to believe that the OPC extended warranty includes breakdown cover, is this right? Is this transferable? Just so worst case they can come pick the car up?
Fidg... A Bosh one should only set you back about £50...
Charger from Tesco?
http://direct.tesco.com/search/defaul
The 11 or 20 amp one should be fine.
Charger from Tesco?
http://direct.tesco.com/search/defaul
The 11 or 20 amp one should be fine.
ah - no tesco - but i'll head to halfrauds after lunch.
The irony is had last week off, ran like a peach everywhere we went - i have a 4am start tomorrow, aaaaaaaaaand.. this.
So, what i reckon is a charger will keep her happy for a couple of days, and if a cell has gone, then I can get a new battery at the weekend.
Though, is it as simple as detaching the terminals (-ve first) and putting in the new one? Anything I need to consider?
The irony is had last week off, ran like a peach everywhere we went - i have a 4am start tomorrow, aaaaaaaaaand.. this.
So, what i reckon is a charger will keep her happy for a couple of days, and if a cell has gone, then I can get a new battery at the weekend.
Though, is it as simple as detaching the terminals (-ve first) and putting in the new one? Anything I need to consider?
I dont think im cut out for Porsche ownership, i can't handle the stress levels when something doesn't work!
fidgits said:
ah - no tesco - but i'll head to halfrauds after lunch.
The irony is had last week off, ran like a peach everywhere we went - i have a 4am start tomorrow, aaaaaaaaaand.. this.
So, what i reckon is a charger will keep her happy for a couple of days, and if a cell has gone, then I can get a new battery at the weekend.
Though, is it as simple as detaching the terminals (-ve first) and putting in the new one? Anything I need to consider?
The irony is had last week off, ran like a peach everywhere we went - i have a 4am start tomorrow, aaaaaaaaaand.. this.
So, what i reckon is a charger will keep her happy for a couple of days, and if a cell has gone, then I can get a new battery at the weekend.
Though, is it as simple as detaching the terminals (-ve first) and putting in the new one? Anything I need to consider?
I dont think im cut out for Porsche ownership, i can't handle the stress levels when something doesn't work!
With a dead cell you'll be struggling!!!!
The alarm will go off big time when you disconnect the battery unless you leave the key in the ignition and make sure you have the radio code and don't close the bonnet without the battery connected...
Disconnect the negative terminal first and reconnect it last.
fidgits said:
What trickle charger should I get? which is most like the Porsche one? (cant afford to wait for the porsche one!)
I believe the Porsche charger is basically a rebadged CTEK MULTI XS 3600. I picked mine up from Vertar on the web for about £50 + £5 for the cigarette lighter attachment.
fidgits said:
So, what i reckon is a charger will keep her happy for a couple of days, and if a cell has gone, then I can get a new battery at the weekend.
Though, is it as simple as detaching the terminals (-ve first) and putting in the new one? Anything I need to consider?
Though, is it as simple as detaching the terminals (-ve first) and putting in the new one? Anything I need to consider?
If the battery has failed then no amount of charging will help you: your Pork isn't going to start and run on less than 12V. Changing should be relatively straightforward - there should be full directions in your Owner's Manual.
Take heed of any notes regarding what to do with keys and alarms, and check whether the fuel guage will still read correctly afterwards (only an issue if less than 1/3 full IIRC). Edited by jeremyc on Tuesday 27th March 12:27
SteveO... said:
fidgits said:
What trickle charger should I get? which is most like the Porsche one? (cant afford to wait for the porsche one!)
I believe the Porsche charger is basically a rebadged CTEK MULTI XS 3600. I picked mine up from Vertar on the web for about £50 + £5 for the cigarette lighter attachment.
Thats the one www.vertar.com/battery-chargers-conditioners/car-battery-chargers/ although i'm not sure they plug into the Cigarette Lighter like the modified/re-branded Porsche item.
C.
thanks guys,
I picked up a charger from Halfords, going to hook up and see what happens.
Halfords Battery is 75 quid - i dont know if there is a better one to buy (how much is a Porsche one), oh, and i think im down to 1/4 tank - so am I likely to have fuel gauge issues Jeremy?
The problem is, having a lexus for 4 years means i got out of the self-maintence thing, so any work panics me!
I picked up a charger from Halfords, going to hook up and see what happens.
Halfords Battery is 75 quid - i dont know if there is a better one to buy (how much is a Porsche one), oh, and i think im down to 1/4 tank - so am I likely to have fuel gauge issues Jeremy?
The problem is, having a lexus for 4 years means i got out of the self-maintence thing, so any work panics me!
fidgits said:
Halfords Battery is 75 quid - i dont know if there is a better one to buy (how much is a Porsche one), oh, and i think im down to 1/4 tank - so am I likely to have fuel gauge issues Jeremy?
I don't know - check your Owner's Manual. 
My Owners Manual said:
If the fuel supply is less than approx. 1/3 of the entire volume when the battery is discharged or disconnected, incorrect information is displayed when the battery is charged or connected. The fuel level gauge may display more than the actual fuel level gauge.[sic] The on-board computer may display a range on remaining fuel which is too high.
In order to receive correct displays again and to avopid breakdowns due to lack fo fuel, you should fill up your vehicle.
In order to receive correct displays again and to avopid breakdowns due to lack fo fuel, you should fill up your vehicle.
So, simply fill your tank afterwards and you'll be OK.
fidgits said:
thanks guys,
I picked up a charger from Halfords, going to hook up and see what happens.
Halfords Battery is 75 quid - i dont know if there is a better one to buy (how much is a Porsche one), oh, and i think im down to 1/4 tank - so am I likely to have fuel gauge issues Jeremy?
The problem is, having a lexus for 4 years means i got out of the self-maintence thing, so any work panics me!
I picked up a charger from Halfords, going to hook up and see what happens.
Halfords Battery is 75 quid - i dont know if there is a better one to buy (how much is a Porsche one), oh, and i think im down to 1/4 tank - so am I likely to have fuel gauge issues Jeremy?
The problem is, having a lexus for 4 years means i got out of the self-maintence thing, so any work panics me!
Find a local motor factors.... They'll be cheaper
cheers...
I have a VW commercial over the road - any good?
not sure where the nearest place is tbh, my concern is the battery in there is a lot larger than the standard size, would there be an issue with the battery moving etc?
by the way, current one charging, figured i'd give it a go.
oh, and cheers for the mail Ric, sent you one back - i'll let you know at the weekend
i'm so glad i didnt buy a TVR!
I have a VW commercial over the road - any good?
not sure where the nearest place is tbh, my concern is the battery in there is a lot larger than the standard size, would there be an issue with the battery moving etc?
by the way, current one charging, figured i'd give it a go.
oh, and cheers for the mail Ric, sent you one back - i'll let you know at the weekend
i'm so glad i didnt buy a TVR!
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