Alarm issues

[DavidL]

I use my car once a week this time of year. It gets a trip to work and back so 12 miles each way.
The last few weeks the engine turns over a little slower at that first start but is fine in the evening and any subsequent days I use it.
Today it was really sluggish (last used sat) but it did start the car. But then the alarm goes off and I can't switch it off. It runs for about 10 secs although I've stopped the engine, got out and generally pressed everything I can to shut it up.
It did this 3 times before I gave up. I just hope it isn't sat at home merrily alarming the neighbourhood.
So clearly it doesn't like being left but is a week about right? Its not much.
I'm hoping a session on the accumate will sot it out but it will be a pain to have to have it connect all the time the car is stationary.

Anyone else had this issue with the alarm? Had it not been for that Could have used it and charged he battery the normal way. I suppose the alarm may have stopped but you'd feel a bit of an idiot driving along in a Porsche with the alarm going!

 

[Mark_Bennett]

If it's getting sluggish then it might be time to change the battery - if it's the Porsche fitted "Moll" brand then they seem to fail pretty quick after first symptoms appear. If it's the Moll battery then how old is it, and have you ever topped up the cells? They do need it now and again.

 

[DavidL]

This my first winter with it so I don't have any point of reference. But I'm aware that new cars do drain batteries quite quickly. Is the cigarette lighter live with the engine off (for the accumate)?

 

[Motorhead]

Alarm problems are generally a symptom of incipient battery failure Richard. If you're not using the car regularly, I'd keep the battery on the AccuMate. It's only a minor faff to connect/disconnect; and you should avoid possible complaints from the neighbours when the alarm goes off..! The cigarette lighter on my 987.2 Cayman is always live, but it may be different for your car; easy to check. Personally, I prefer to use the croc clips to attach my ctek to the battery after I had problems connecting via the cigarette lighter module. Jeff

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

I would echo Mark's comments completely. Is it a Moll, and how old is it? Anything over about 4 years and you are living on borrowed time. The ciggie lighter socket on your car should be permanently live. It was the earlier pre-facelift 996's which were ignition-switched.

 

[DavidL]

Thanks everyone. I'll have a look at the battery tonight and put it on charge. Its an 03 (04MY) so hopefully permanently on lighter. I can put a solar conditioner in and just plug that in as I park up.

 

[DavidL]

It turns out it is a Bosch Silver battery so I've put it on charge. I'll see how it goes.

 

[dij999]

Had Bosch Silver batteries on my old 911SC (very little use - 1500 miles a year) - none of them lasted less than 8 years. Also seemed to survive the odd long (accidental) deep discharge.