Battery

[Hannu]

Christmas Eve 2005 and the car wouldn't start, to cut a long one short 3 dead cells and a new Bosch battery later and all's hunky dory.
For the first time since then I've left the car without starting for two weeks and its gone into "safe mode", had to use the key in the door to unlock and then clunk!!!!. no battery power to turn her over.
Anyone else come across this ??? don't think theres a drain but cant see anything else that could cause the battery to go flat!.

 

[juliany27]

From other posts, I wonder whether you have a Tracker or other similar device? It appears that these devices use a lot of energy.

 

[Hannu]

Yep it has a tracker !!!!!!!!!!
Never had a problem with the Tracker fitted to my Impreza though ?.

 

[StephenWicks]

Yes, I had the same probem with my previous Boxster. It appears that the battery will drain eventually, especially if the car is not used regularly. The only answer is to use a battery conditioner if you have access to power. The Porsche one has plenty of wire which will easily slip through the gap in the door.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: StephenWicks

The only answer is to use a battery conditioner if you have access to power. The Porsche one has plenty of wire which will easily slip through the gap in the door.

My 12 month old 987 has been connected to this Porsche device during the winter months, even though I was able to run the car most weekends due to almost zero rainfull, [] however shock horror my battery is leaking at the base!

Shortly being replaced under warranty but I did wonder if the conditioner may have played a part here or if I was just unlucky [&o]

 

[StephenWicks]

Can't imagine the conditioner would do that as they are designed to only put a small trickle into the battery. If mine leaks, I'll know what it is!

 

[bmurphy]

sorry - could someone explain safe mode, this may answer a question.....whenever i leave my car for over a week I have to use the key to unlock the door rather than the remote - is this safe mode?

 

[StephenWicks]

Yes, this normal. Functions such as remote unlocking, electric windows etc., are disabled to reduce battery drain. I guess without that, the battery would go flat even faster!

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: StephenWicks

Yes, this normal. Functions such as remote unlocking, electric windows etc., are disabled to reduce battery drain. I guess without that, the battery would go flat even faster!

...and the trick to opening the car in safe mode, if anyone hasn't mastered it as yet : turn the key in the door and then disarm the alarm system using the button on the key fob, while the key is still in the lock, otherwise the alarm will go off.

 

[Chappelle]

Be careful to keep the car on a charger if the battery is done
Car can go back to a factory ship setting if the battery gets too low and things like heated seats will no longer work.
If it does, needs to be recoded at an OPC
I bought a Bosch battery from CostCo for half the OPC price

 

[kitchens]

Only if you have Porsche warranty do you need to fit an Porsche one ..otherwise get the best value one you can buy heard Banner was a good make ? ,and get it on conditioner /charger asap look out for the Lidl /Aldi on specials at £14 work a treat

 

[stevebu]

Whilst the battery is probably beyond recovery, it may be worth checking if the electrolyte levels in the cells are topped up as the Moll is not a sealed battery. Checking & topping up once a year if needed will likely ensure a lot longer life for this type of battery. Battery conditioners are great provided they are the 'intelligent' type which only charge when needed. Cell electrolyte levels frequently drop through evaporation when a fully charged battery continues to be charged even by a trickle charger.

 

[Chrishazle]

I had no complaints about Halfords when I needed a new battery for my 968 at very short notice one Saturday morning, they had the exact same battery in stock, charged me £10 to fit it (and dispose of the old one) plus checked my alternator FOC to make sure it was OK, total cost £100. All sorted within 1 hour of trying to start the car for a GTG - checked online and ordered for my local store 8 miles away, started the car with the boost charger I have, drove down there, battery fitted etc, drove home and collected SWMBO and headed for the GTG!

 

[Boris the spyder]

Well got the battery changed on the car today and as I am new to Porsche I had them do a 111 point check. All good, said it was one of the best the " technician" had seen. Ooooeerrrr I was well chuffed, so I said how much to stick a warranty on it then. Ahhh says the Service Manager. It is showing 1 over rev (3 grade) Do you know about that Sir. Yes says I, forgot to take the bit of lead out my right shoe a few weeks ago. So he says Porsche would want a bore scope done, oil filter dropped, bla bla bla. I would need another 111 check done and that work. So saved myself over 1k. Thanks right foot.

 

[tscaptain]

Are you saying one ignition in range 3? That is probably nigh impossible and erroneous. Did they say how many in 1 and 2?
With regard to the final comment, looking at it from another angle, should the engine or gearbox let go, it would have been £1k well spent. A familiar debate which, like most insurance other than the compulsory one, revolves around how lucky you feel[]

 

[Boris the spyder]

Hi TS
Well that's what I was thinking. I did cause it, it was one time. I floored the car to overtake aand didn't keep my eye on the revs. The limiter cut in for a second and cut the engine. That won't happen again. He added that if it had been a 6 range Porsche would want an engine change for a warranty.

 

[Boris the spyder]

The annoying thing about all this is that now if I want a Porsche warranty I have to pay for this work. It would make no odds if I took it to an Indie. It's on their records. When it goes back on the road next year I will probably bite the bullet and get the work done. I am no rich money no object guy, just someone that loves cars and driving and have a budget. I am confident they won't find an issue, it is a fantastic drive and at the end of the day won't drop in price the same as some cars so it might just all even it's elf out long term.
((maybe). I do understand Porsche being cautious and have to say my first visit to a Porsche Main Dealer was a nice experience, they are nice guys at Edinburgh. Moral of the story for new to Porsche guys is. KEEP GLANCING AT THE REV COUNTER [8|]

 

[Contraband]

Surely the point of having a Rev limiter is to cut the engine before potential damage.
The fact that you hit the limiter should not be an issue.
( in a perfect world obviously!)

 

[Boris the spyder]

My sentiments to, however we all know that there is no compromise with main car dealers, and that includes them all in my view
CYA these days. anot old Ford mechanic friend of mine always said. " The more you press the right pedal the more it costs"

 

[tscaptain]

My point is that what is recorded is the number of ignitions in that range and not the number of times you reach it. Range 3s are normally only recorded by a wrong down shift and not by hitting the limiter going up. With 3 ignitions per revolutions you can work how long you are in range 3 to record ONE ignition - which is why it is likely a false record. At 8000 rpm, for example, there are 24000 ignitions per minute or 400 per second!
I would get a 2nd opinion!