Being that I walk to work everyday, and now have 3 whips to choose from for minimal driving on the weekends, I neglected my 2001 996 C4 for about 3 weeks. Tried to start it up on Saturday and the battery was dead. Had to push it and clutch pop it to start up. The car always ran fine otherwise.

I know these 996's are very tempermental but what should I do? I am in a parking structure so I have no access to a electrical outlet nearby.

Could the two flashing red alarm lights possibly need enough juice to drain the battery? So leave the alarm turned off?

 

When was the last time the battery was changed? You could simply have a battery going bad, or an altenator....Worse case scenario, you need to drive it more....It'll run better if you do....

 

Get a jumper box, not too expensive and good insurance. Roll starting Porsche's is not good for them, my pops did it and ended up riding away in a flat bed.

Oh yeah, I'll be happy to drive it for you whenever you need.

DGF

 

She is telling you to drive her more and leave the 4-doors at home.

Sounds like a new battery is needed. Have you ever replaced it?

 

In a 996 the alarm systems go "dormant" after 5 days in order not to drain the battery so this should not have been the source ofthe drained battery.

 

You can purchase a charger from you Porsche dealer - that is what I do. It plugs into your cigarette lighter then you run it out the door (very long thin cord) to an outlet anytime you are going to leave your car for over 2 weeks without driving. The cars have electronics that constantly drain from the battery.

 

Bad battery usually goes bad in cold weather season. Have yours check by Autozone. You can also check the alternator too for free of charge.

 

Is this your first experience with battery powered product?

 

Battery charger maintainer is what you need.

 

I don't drive mine much either but starting it "at least" once a week will help if you have a good battery. I try to start it and let it run until the idle drops and then kill it.....

I've done this for quite some time and it works. I do drive it once or twice a month though......

-Eli

 

these cars have electronics that constantly drain the battery? that is disturbing. I know most cars do this, but like someone else mentioned doesn't the car go into dormant mode after a certain amount of time?

I would use a car charger like you said, I used those to keep my motorcycles charged, but that was when I had a garage. now I live in a highrise and have to park in a parking structure with no outlets close by.

I guess I will get a new battery as i've never changed it before, but I would assume doing nothing else will just mean that I'll be draining a new battery.

whats the easiest way to tell if its just just a battery issue or an alternator issue? sound from the ignition? the ticking sound means the alternator is working right?

 

Easy way to tell if the Alt is to start the car, pull the neg end off the battery, if the car dies then the Alt is not providing the basic electrical current to the vehicle.

Tell you what, purchase the battery here: http://www.pcars.com/porsche_parts/s.../p_160810.html

They can deliver it directly to me and I'll install it for you for FREE.... Rich is a great guy, what can I say...

Delivery to me is also FREE, what a sweet deal huh?

-Eli

 

What he saids.