Fast Clicking Noise when attempting to start???

[D7Rob]

Hi All,

I don't manage to get out in my Boxster all that often, so it has been sat on a trickle (forum endorsed) since the Cots Rally the other week, today looking rather nice I thought why not. Jumped in and nothing other than the aforementioned fast clicking noise? Any ideas

I must confess I did try a couple of times but to no avail and for my trouble now have an error via the computer check system!

Thanks

R

 

[Nick_USA]

Can you measure the voltage across the battery?

 

[D7Rob]

I don't believe so, it's just hooked up to the Ctek box? Or should I be looking somewhere specific?

Thanks Nick

 

[Nick_USA]

If you have a voltmeter to hand then a voltage reading across the battery would help with the diagnosis (ctek box disconnected).

It does sound battery related, even though you had a trickle charger on it.

The 'off load' voltage of the battery would be a clear indicator of this.

 

[Black80XSA]

Fast clicking is symptamatic of a dead or low voltage on the battery - below 11V the car won't start. Borrow a multimeter and check the voltage across the battery terminals without the CTEK connected, then when you get the car started check across the terminal again with the engine running - this will give an idea of the state of the alternator output and should be around 14.5 -14.8V.

The Porsche Moll batteries do seem to finite lifespan, for cars used moderately this can be as low as 3 years - daily use can make them last 7 years, using a battery maintainer extends the life beyound 3 years, normally to around 5-6years which might fit with your car if its on the original battery.

 

[D7Rob]

Guys,

Thanks for your help. I have had the volt reading 1.5 which = dead...

Next question is this, I have removed the battery and benched it overnight, which I will be able to test in due course. However given the age of the battery, I apprecaite I may need to purchase a new one. Are there any suggestions for this or should I just head to my local OPC? What kind of cost am I looking at?

Also I have read on the forum about the ingnition switch being a drain/problem on the battery, would this be something you suggest I investigate further?

Thanks as ever

R

 

[Mark_Bennett]

I had my Moll (Porsche) battery die on me last year - 8 years after buying the car.
It is not used every day, nor every week even (especially during the winter), but has always been connected to a carcoon conditioner when at home in the garage.
I am convinced that if I had checked the acid levels more regularly then I would have got longer out of it. As it is I only topped it up once in that 8 years.

Bosch replacements are normally recommended, but the ones I could find around me were not of similar output to the Moll (lower), so I ended up getting one from Porsche - cost me about £130 if I recall (with Club discount), but I fitted it myself. The price Porsche quote for a battery includes fitting.... it's a lot!