Won't start - clicking sound?

spyderman · Dec 12, 2009

Was going to go for a drive in the sun but found my 2004 S won't start. Last drove it Monday but now although the doors open fine and all ignition lights come on, when I turn to start, all I get is a rapid click-click-click noise and all the lights go out. Is it just the battery?

Have it on my CTEK conditioner at the moment - no idea if that will resurrect it. Its not under the Porsche warranty, so if it is the battery at fault, I might put a Bosch in it instead.

Nick_USA · Dec 12, 2009

Battery would be my first guess.

Mark_Bennett · Dec 12, 2009

Battery...

dereksharpuk · Dec 12, 2009

Yup, typical of a battery in the last throws of death! It also might not respond to a charger if it has sulphated too much.

spyderman · Dec 12, 2009

Thanks guys. Bosch 12V Silver HSB096 seems to be Halford's suggestion (online).

Mark_Bennett · Dec 12, 2009

The other (associated) thing is a loose/corroded connection.

Presumably you've seen the terminal clamps are ok? But it could also be starter connection / a bad earth.
There can easily be enough current getting through to run everything else, but not enough once you start trying to turn the engine over.
(In the same way that thin jump leads don't work, but thick ones do)

SteveFeakin · Dec 12, 2009

Yeah battery for defo.

Same happened to mine. I was desperate to keep my Boxster S to all PORSCHE parts.

but RAC were great, even had one on the VAN, ho convenient.

Hop you get it sorted soon

Glyn · Dec 13, 2009

Everyone has identified the battery but i note no one has explained why.

The clisking you can hear is the starter solenoid as it engages - when this engages it connects up the drive gear on the starter motor to the ring gear on the flywheel to turn the engine over - at the same time the two gears engage with each other the full power of the battery is connected to the motor so it can turn the engine, In a battery low volt condition the power drawn reduces the power available to the solenoid to such a low level it cant maintain its job of holding the two gears together so it releases, once released the battery voltage rises again as there is no current draw to the motor and the solenoid engages again - and so the cyle repeats - that is the rapid clicking you can hear.

Now beware - although usually this is simply the battery discharged it could also be a bad connection on the earth lead from the battery or a bad earth from the engine to the car body

spyderman · Dec 13, 2009

Thanks Glyn for the extra info. Same symptoms this morning after charging overnight on the CTEK. Have just climbed into the front boot and checked the battery connections - all solid as a rock and no visible corrosion. Its currently a Porsche Moll battery and I wouldn't be surprised if it the original - so now 5 1/2 years old. Will get a Bosche Silver HSB096 from Eurocarparts in MK tomorrow.

Nick_USA · Dec 13, 2009

Unless you run your Porsche everyday 5 1/2 years from the battery is good.

Just don't expect Porsche to warranty the car with a non-Porsche battery, but don't get me started on warranties.

spyderman · Dec 13, 2009

They wouldn't give me a warranty if I wanted one (tracker fitted)!

mo851 · Dec 13, 2009

Hi
Yes it's your Battery as the voltage falls the relay comes out and as the
Voltage rises again the solenoid comes back in and repeats the process

Try a good recharge, but depending how old the battery is, it's probably
worth a new one. I fitted one from Halfords (HB110 and it's a 75amp/hr) and
it's been good for 3 years and was £95

Mo Williams
Bath
2003 S
[8|]

Richard_Hamilton · Dec 13, 2009

If a new battery doesn't fix it (which does seem like the most likely solution), it might be the ignition switch. There's a DIY on the 996 Technical pages.

Robin M · Dec 13, 2009

Also worth checking how much water/acid is in each cell and if they are low top them up. This is worth checking twice a year at least as if the level is kept correct it helps prevent the plates buckling etc. when a heavy load is applied like the starter. I had my original battery for 6 years plus and sold my Boxster with it and I also put it on a charger over the winter whenever I was not using it every day.

Perhaps we should start a 'Who used their original battery the longest' competition.

I will go first 6 years and 4 months and still OK but car sold on.

Mark_Bennett · Dec 13, 2009

I got 7 years 11 months out of mine.

Car used infrequently (to be honest). Tends to sit in the garage for weeks at a time, then go on a trip around Europe (or something...)

However it was hooked up to a battery conditioner every time it was in the garage.

kitchens · Dec 14, 2009

Not technical at all ,but did i not read somewhere that if you change over the battery you have to put your key in the ignition and turn it to position 1 or you would loose all memory etc

spyderman · Dec 14, 2009

Got a Bosch from Eurocarparts in MK but its the wrong size - 70Ah instead of 80 and quite a bit shorter too. I'm sure it would work but I don't want to risk ending up with not having enough power to start it on a cold winter evening when its been sat in the office car park all day.

spyderman · Dec 15, 2009

Swapped it for the 80Ah version, fitted it, blasted my ears (even with the key turned), but the old girl goes once again. She's in a bit of a strop, though: the driver's window wouldn't go up, the Litronics don't seem to be levelling properly and the wipers had stuck down. Like all the best German girls, she doesn't like being neglected!

Nick_USA · Dec 15, 2009

ORIGINAL: spyderman

Swapped it for the 80Ah version, fitted it, blasted my ears (even with the key turned), but the old girl goes once again. She's in a bit of a strop, though: the driver's window wouldn't go up, the Litronics don't seem to be levelling properly and the wipers had stuck down. Like all the best German girls, she doesn't like being neglected!

You will have to reprogram the windows by holding the button down whilst they operate all the way up and down a couple of times. The throttle needs to be reprogrammed, ignition on but don't start for around 30 seconds then start.

Richard_Hamilton · Dec 15, 2009

ORIGINAL: spyderman

Swapped it for the 80Ah version, fitted it, blasted my ears (even with the key turned), but the old girl goes once again. She's in a bit of a strop, though: the driver's window wouldn't go up, the Litronics don't seem to be levelling properly and the wipers had stuck down. Like all the best German girls, she doesn't like being neglected!

If the old girl doesn't stop being temperamental, I'd suggest it might be an ignition switch problem - it can cause these sorts of simultaneous electrical gremlins.