I just picked up my 04 40th Anniversary Edition 3 weeks ago. I have never had a p-car before, so I don't have any past experience.

I have noticed that it sounds very weak when starting it up - very slow turn-over that sounds like a struggle. It reminds me of a regular car when the battery is just about dead - you are lucky to get it started sometimes when it sounds like this. Other new cars I have had all sound normal and crank over very well when starting up.

The voltage meter reads 12V, and if I am actively driving around it reads around 13-14. Is it possible for a battery to be in the process of dying and not being able to start the car in a normal sounding engine turn-over/startup sound, or is this how every 996 car is and it's nothing to worry about?

Thanks,

Steve

 

it might be a dirty airfilter...is it stock ?

 

It is stock - with 12000 miles. I don't think that it is. Does anyone else with a 996 have any input? When starting the car, does it turn over like any other foreign or domestic car that I have started up in the last 25 years, or does it sound like a dead battery just about turning over the car? Maybe it is the original battery - in the service records there is nothing listing a replacement battery. I just figured if it was weak in turning over the engine the volt meter on the dash might read something other than 12-14V. Maybe it reads fine there, but the cells don't have enough CCA cold cranking amps to turn it over.

To me, a normal car starting up sounds like Quagmire from the Family Guy saying gigity-gigity-gigity. This car is more like "Rawr-rawr-rawr-rawr-rawr-rawr-zoooooom....startup" - I hope that description helps out.

 

they have a slow start up, its not like a race car where it sounds like the car is mean starting, ..maybe others will chime in, i would youtube it....just search 996 start up. there should be alot of vids good luck


heres one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj3rtBJ0t8M

 

Steve,

I don't think you're experiencing anything out of the ordinary. I thought the same thing about a year ago when I started mine up for the first time.

Beware, though, that these cars can drain the battery if not driven regularly.

 

I had this problem about a year ago with my 03. I got throttle body cleaner from an auto parts store and found directions online (rennlist?) and it took about 30 minutes from start to finish. The car then started without hesitation. I am experiencing the same symptoms again so I am about to do it again.

 

the starter motors on these cars make a unique sound, and yes it seems like its turning slightly slower than most cars. The only cars i know of that have a similiar "slower turning starter" is a subaru. mine acts exactly as you describe and it was just at the dealer for service, no problems found b/c the service rep would have gladly tried to stick me for a starter if there was a problem.

 

I have a 99 996 coupe with 61K miles and it turns very slowly, just as you describe yours does. This is typical as I drove about 6 cars before I bought this one a year ago and they all were the same. You'll get used to it, as I have and not notice it any more. Your battery is probably fine.

 

fwiw, this is apparent on 997's as well

 

Well, I am all set now. It was definately an issue because on Thursday I went to start the car and it was dead. They replaced the battery, and it is all set now. It now starts up with a "normal" sounding cranking sound - very fast compared to how the car was for the first 3 weeks that I owned it.

The tow truck driver said he can't understand why people live with the way these cars are - he said if you don't drive them a few times a week the battery dies.

 

If you have a place to plug it up, deff get a battery tender and keep it plugged up wen not driving.

 

Good excuse to drive the car more often! Great!!

 

I thought the same thing with my 1999 c2 i just got but it is normal. I was used to my Carerra starter in my small 2.4/6 914 engine and it would crank super fast. This 996 engine seems slow but always starts...I have driven a few and they all did this.