Battery replacement

topgear253 · Nov 8, 2007

Hi everyone,

My battery is starting to slow down a bit so I need to replace it. The one in there is a 68 amp, but Porsche Cambridge says I should have an 80 amp, and online I've also seen 72 amp mentioned. Is it 80 amp, and if so is there a good place to get them at a reasonable price?

My car is a 996 2001 C2

Also, does anyone know of a way of changing batteries over without losing the power (radio code)?

Cheers,
Alex

artfailier · Nov 8, 2007

The best I found was Euro carparts who do a Bosh Silver Calcium which is around 95 GBP inc VAT. This is for an 80 amp which the later ones do need.

rob.kellock · Nov 8, 2007

My local independent fitted a new battery for me in July. Not sure of the specification other than that it was an improvement at a cost of £75 all in.

If you do it yourself, get some ear defenders. Once the battery is disconnected the alarm sounds very LOUD, particularly with the bonnet up.

Can't help you on the radio code, I had to re-enter mine.

adrian996 · Nov 8, 2007

Hi Alex. Don't think that I live near you so can't advise on where to buy but just make sure that you get the same amp/hour rating on the new one.
When you change the battery you need to put your key in the ignition and turn it to the point just before the engine turns over.
Leave the key in this position - it prevents the alarm from going off and you needing new eardrums.
Get out of the car.
Don't shut the door as the window will go up when you do and you won't be able to get back into the car until you've put the new battery on - and you might get delayed by unforeseen tech problems.
Lift the bonnet and use a 10mm open-end/ring to disconnect the battery. Take negative terminal off first.
Undo the battery retaining clamp which holds the thing down so that it doesn't move about (can't remember the size but you'll need a socket (?16/17mm?) with an extension bar on it to undo this bolt.
Take out old battery. Put new one in - watch your back now!
Put the positive terminal on first then the negative. Everything will spring into life when you do this - as you've left the ignition on.
Replace retaining bolt and battery cover.
You can now turn the ignition off - or go for a spin.
My car is a 2003 - I didn't have to re-enter my radio code but I'm not sure about yours, sorry.
Hope this helps. I had to do mine recently and only discovered all this after a lot of trial and error - and sore eardrums! It's an easy job and very satisfying when you hear your engine spin over!
Adrian.

Rodney Naghar · Nov 8, 2007

Great post Adrian we should get this put up as a FAQ![

]

Richard_Hamilton · Nov 8, 2007

There is a bit in the Alarm Issues & Tips FAQ.

I would always disconnect the negative (earth) first. That way, if the spanner touches the body it won't go bang. Similarly, I would connect it last, for the same reason.

adrian996 · Nov 8, 2007

Cheers Rod!
Richard - I thought that I had that the wrong way 'round - sorry guys! I'll edit now.
Adrian.

Robertb · Nov 8, 2007

The guys at PCT changed my battery for me-

They connected one of those portable jump-start thingies (a sort of rechargeable battery unit) to the car's power terminals, then switched the batteries over. That way the car never noticed that it was batteryless...

And I can confirm from an earlier occasion that the alarm is outrageously, ear-splittingly loud.[

]

Richard_Hamilton · Nov 9, 2007

ORIGINAL: Rodney Naghar

Great post Adrian we should get this put up as a FAQ![]

Job done - it's in the 996 Technical Articles section. I have to say that I went completely OTT with this, and put some additional battery maintenance tips in. Thanks go to Adrian for his tips, and initiating the DIY.

Rodney Naghar · Nov 9, 2007

Job done - it's in the 996 Technical Articles section. I have to say that I went completely OTT with this, and put some additional battery maintenance tips in. Thanks go to Adrian for his tips, and initiating the DIY.

Looks excellent![

]

topgear253 · Nov 13, 2007

Hi
Thanks a lot for all that advice, that really will be useful when I change them over. I can order an 80 amp battery through a mates company at trade price but he's asked me for a make and model as obviously they're all different sizes, is there a particular make I can tell him?

Thanks,
Alex

adrian996 · Nov 14, 2007

Hi Alex. Anything - as long as it's not made by Porsche!!!!!! IMHO Varta or anything German (except Porsche) usually do well. Ade.

Guest · Dec 5, 2007

With your ignition turned off and the key out, check to see if the cig lighter socket still works.

If it does, then simply plug in a charger/conditioner (Optimate type) type to the lighter socket and leave it on charge for a while.

I charge mine when not in use for a few days.

adrian996 · Dec 28, 2009

Hi Ian. Taking on board what you've said - word for word - I'm afraid that your symptoms point more to a charging problem rather than a battery one, especially if you keep it topped up when not in use. It sounds like you disconnected the charger and started the car which then just started to sap the battery of its juice.

I hope that I'm proved wrong but I have to tell you that I had the shock of my life when I had exactly the same symptoms and ended up replacing my alternator - at 19K miles!!!!![

]

I would drive to an electrical motor factors ASAP and ask them to run a quick output test on the alternator for you. That'll pretty much decide what's going on for you.

When you start the car, what is the voltmeter reading?

I would strongly advise that you go down the motor factor route first as an OPC will probably tell you that you need a new battery and a new alternator. And a new engine. Incidentally, my new Porsche alternator cost me circa £280 from my Indi. OPC wanted circa £600. Just thought I'd point that small detail out to you.

Let us know how you get on.

Adrian.

Richard_Hamilton · Dec 28, 2009

Also check out the battery change DIY here: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=331718

Peter_Bull · Dec 29, 2009

If it is the alternator - chance are its the diode pack. This can be done by any reputable auto electrial specialist from about £40. Thats waht I was quoted last year and £100 to recon. Here in Preston it was Ribbledale Autos
Those prices are of course if you take the alternator off yourself.

Gordon Attar · Apr 4, 2018

Sounds like a very good reason to buy the same battery.

terryuk · Apr 4, 2018

I’ve just bought a HAL 110 Lifetime battery from Halfords cost £145. I also don’t do many miles so will be interested to see how it goes.

JHMotorsport · Apr 10, 2018

I checked and confirmed that mine sounds the same. Bosch S4 010 740A (EN) 80Ah. That was the largest battery capacity I could get for the 996 as far as I know which is why I went for that.
Out of interest, Costco used to stock those and had very reasonable prices.

I think all all of these standard lead acid batteries will suffer if not in a car that is regularly used or on a good charger/conditioner (CTEK). Over 10 years is pretty good going at around £10 a year or less If the battery was £100. I'm sure the Costco price was closer to £70 which makes it a steal.

D911ARK · Apr 22, 2018

After not running mine for 5 maybe 6 weeks, and on a CTEK, mine was dead last week. It was a Varta but i have no idea how long it'd been in the car before I got it in Aug 17. Longest it hadnt been run, before I got the CTEK, was 3 weeks, and it JUST started. I hope I dont have a faulty trickle charget.

AA van to restart me had a YUASA with a 5 year warranty that I bought for 163. Maybe wish Id gone to a store now/online, but, I wanted to be up and running last week