I was wondering if someone out there could provide me some guidance.

I tried to start my car this morning and it would not turn over. There was a lot of clicking noises and all the dummy lights came on but no start. The car had not been driven for a week. Any thoughs. Could I just jump it?

Thanks in advance.

 

More than likely this is a dead battery. there can be small draws on your power from the door locks/alarm or aftermarket additions to the wire harness. Many of us use battery trickle charges that plug from the wall to the cigarette lighter. Another possibility along the same lines is the distilled water in your battery. Did you know you do NOT have a maintenance-free battery. You need to check the fluid in the 6 cells at least a couple times a year. If those go "dry" it will kill the battery. you might think that the idiot lights, dome lights would not go on if the battery were dead, but those indicators draw very little power and can easily be "on" but the battery not have enough juice to turn the engine over. The last thing I would check is the cable connection to the battery and make sure they are CLEAN and tight.

 

Sounds like a new battery is in store. Anyone know best place to get one and the best price.

 

Anything weird I should know before installing a new Battery?

 

I just went through this process and learned the hard way the gotcha's on changing the battery yourself. If you disconnect the battery without providing an alternate power source for the car's electrical system, you'll have to take your car back to the dealer for a re-programming of the fuel computer. I installed a battery I picked up at Sears and wasn't aware of the issue. After the install, my fuel gauge would go down a quarter tank in 30 miles of highway driving. Took it into the dealer and they told me that when people change the battery this way, the fuel computer defaults to a european setting. They had to change the setting and then re-train it. I also discovered that the radio code I had wasn't correct as the previous owner had it replaced under warranty. I was told that as long as you provide an alternate power source during the swap, you'll be fine.
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2002 911 Turbo

 

by alternate power source what do you recomend

 

So how do you provide another electrical source to the car while changing the battery.

I knew this would not be easy. Maybe I should just have the dealer do it. I just hate to give the dealer my car if it is something I can do.

 

Well I changed out my battery tonight and it was the easiest battery change I have ever done. All I had to do is reset the radio code. So those of you that have had problems I guess I ran into some good luck tonight.

Of course I am assuming nothing on GIAC stage 2 chip would have been distrubed. Feels the same. But then again I didn't drive it for a week.

 

Does anyone know if the power supplys that connect a 9 volt battery to the cigarette lighter will retain the radio and ECU memory?

 

I'm not sure what Porsche mechanics use to supply the alternate power. I imagine a power pack (the ones you see that can be used to re-start your car) that plugs into the cigarette lighter would do the job. I'm not sure about that though. If I were to do it again, I would give the dealership a call first.