problems with my new 996 c4s

[DOUG GRIFF]

hi, just looking for some advice please. I picked up my 2004 C4s a couple of weeks ago & it's been going great. However the pcm ? radio/ satnav unit started to play up last week , flickering & saying that the audio sat nav etc is not available. Then this morning the car would not start. Sounded like the starter would not engage , the dash was all pixels & all the warning light's came on. I took the key out , but the dash lights stayed on , the pcm unit flashed on & off & then the alarm started. Not a very good start to Saturday morning. I have spoken to the dealer & he is a really nice chap & said he would speak to his workshop on Monday & get the car in, I have been more of a TVR person before - & they have always been pretty straight forward , but this looked like a serious electrical issue. Basically the car came with a 3 month warranty & the dealer seems good but it hasn't stated well. Is this a sign of things to come ? I am wondering if I should just get it back to the dealer & ask for my money back , as I only bought it a couple of weeks ago- Many thanks in advance for any advice - Doug

[Trev450]

I would get the battery checked out first as these cars throw all sorts of hissy fits when the voltage drops.

[DOUG GRIFF]

thank you for your quick reply. That's really re-assuring. Hopefully might be something straight forward then ? I have been using it & making sure it has a good run , not just short journeys. I am just a bit disappointed & to be honest a little concerned that after such a short time i'm having this trouble with it. many thanks - Doug

[rubystone]

Trev450 said:

I would get the battery checked out first as these cars throw all sorts of hissy fits when the voltage drops.

+1 it's nearly always the battery. Just one dead cell can be enough. Have the dealer check it first.

[BrewsterBear]

As others have said; 95% sure it'll be the battery. My old C4S and Cayenne turbo, both 2004, threw massive hissy fits when the battery started to go a little. A fresh Bosch battery will see you right. Don't give up on the car just for that.

[DOUG GRIFF]

Great thanks for all your replies. I will see if the dealer is happy for me to have the battery changed locally to save the car having to be transported back to them. I will let you know if it sorted it , just out of interest.. thanks again for your help. Doug

[LotusAlfaV6bloke]

So a TVR fan buys a Porsche and immediately has electrical problems! The irony!

Joking aside I think everyone is right, naff battery. I had a modern Alfa that used to only function with the battery in excellent condition.

[jkh112]

The ignition switches can fail and cause this kind of symptom. It is fairly common and not too expensive to fix.

[griffter]

There's not much you can't fix on a tvr with a multimeter and patience. A porsche is much more "black box", so I feel the op's pain.
My C4 works fine, but the voltmeter reads anywhere between 10 and 14v. If it was a tvr it would have broken down and I could have fixed it.
Anyway, listen to the advice, try the battery first. Don't give up on it, it's 11 years old, these things will happen.

[Orangecurry]

87 times out of a 100, on an 'old' car electrical problems stem from the earth-strap. Over time, they build up resistance and cause the mayhem you are seeing. Changing the battery to new if the old one is breaking down will 'cure' the problem, but the first thing to do with every electrical problem with every car is to check the earthing is clean and tight, and if anywhere near 10 years old, replace the earth-strap.

The battery may still need replacing as it has had a hard life fighting the resistance in the earth-strap.

[Beanoir]

+1

Classic signs of a nakered battery. I'll eat my hat if it's anything other than that.

[DOUG GRIFF]

Thanks for all your replies , I feel much better now. I will let you know how I get on after a new battery has been fitted & the earth strap checked. Very best regards , Doug

[L500]

Might be stating the obvious here, but I keep my 996 C4S battery on trickle charge when not in use. I presume many others do the same as these cars have a tendancy to go flat quickly when not in use.

[DOUG GRIFF]

Well new battery fitted today & all seems good. Everything came back on , radio / sat nav working / dash ok & it started ! I was really concerned it was something more serous. A big thanks for the help & reassurance. Very best regards , Doug

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

I'm a bit late to the party...but yeah, after also owning a similar car, I can confirm that they are very sensitive to batteries, and that when they get iffy, you do get problems. Hope it's all sorted now

[ehonda]

I've got similar problems on my 996 C4S, battery is definitely on the way out I think.
Euro car parts have about a dozen batteries listed as suitable, can anyone recommend one in particular? My car doesn't have the standard battery when in at the OPC they said it was OK, but not as good as standard, so I can't just replace like for like.
Also any recommendations for trickle chargers?
Thanks

[Orangecurry]

DOUG GRIFF said:

Well new battery fitted today & all seems good. Everything came back on , radio / sat nav working / dash ok & it started ! I was really concerned it was something more serous. A big thanks for the help & reassurance. Very best regards , Doug

Did you get the resistance/connections on the earth-strap checked?

[Orangecurry]

ehonda said:

... can anyone recommend one in particular?

Bosch and Varta are the same company, so any of those. An alternate for you - I bought a Halfords Calcium in 2008 and it's still going strong.

[ehonda]

Thanks Oc.

[L500]

Also any recommendations for trickle chargers?
Thanks
[/quote]



I just use the Halfords Fully Automatic Battery Charger - £39.99. Does the job fine, although the cable could do with being longer. Note, the bonnet will remain slightly open when charging and the car will beep it's horn once when locking for this reason.