2007 C4S 997.1 Warm Starting Issues. Slow crank.

[EggUK]

I had my car garaged for the duration of the winter period, and unfortunately I failed to hook up my battery tender. Upon recharging the battery, no issues evident other than the usual for replacing battery. Car started fine as normal from cold and continues to do so, however, on a journey I stalled the car, then was horrified to be stuck in traffic with the engine cranking ever so slowly as if the battery had died, however she did manage to fire up. Again checked the battery condition, all seemed fine, however the slow crank to start when warm is still there. Any suggestions or advice on where next to possibly check ?

At a recent service, I also had them check the battery and alternator charging, both came back as ok ... I'm at a bit of a loss where to look next, possibly starter cable ?

 

[Geoff_Fields]

Usually the starter motor is the culprit. However, there is a cable that connects from the starter to the alternator, which can cause slow cranking issues. Porsche have a stronger/thicker upgrade replacement available.

 

[Terry]

In my experience the heavy duty cable from the battery is likely to be the problem. The solution at an OPC would be to replace the cable, however some specialists have found that remaking the connections at the ends of the cable solves the problem at a lot lower cost. Check with JAZ at St Albans.

 

[garyw]

I had this happen and it was the starter motor, however I do accept that in changing the starter motor the power cable would have been re-seated.
Like yours from cold the car was totally fine, but when pulling in for petrol after a long drive, it started to become a very slow turnover.

 

[nickw1968]

I've also had this issue and have just had it rectified under warranty by Porsche OPC.

Initially, they identified the 'short' cable from the battery as the issue which seemed to improve, but not resolve the issue completely. I took my car back to the OPC as the warm start was still slow and they they have now also replaced the 'long cable'.

This has finally fixed the problem.

This may not always be the issue causing warm slow start of course but if it is, it's an expensive fix in terms of labour at an OPC, particularly for the long cable, so if you don't have a warranty maybe an initial lower cost approach would be as described by Terry and try an independent who might be able to remake the cable ends.

 

[Stefan Wilczak]

I know this is quite an old thread but I have just had the starter motor refurbished and the slow starting when hot has completely gone - my experience would agree with Geoff and Gary above. I've put up with this for years; although it had never let me down I was always waiting for it to fail every time I stopped for a few minutes. Best £250 - £300 or so I have spent. The long cable, if I understand needs the engine dropping to give access - not what anyone needs?! As Nick says, cheapest option first if it is not clear what it is.

As and aside, Peter Chambers in Tewkesbury who did the work, along with brake pipes, reckons 9 out of 10 times it is the starter motor that is the problem.

 

[Mick Jordan]

Hi I had this on my 997 c2 s and found there is a junction box between the battery and the engine about half way down the car underneath, my contacts were a bit green and furry so I cleaned them up with a wire brush and all is good now, spins over fast.

Regards Mick