Twice in the last few months my 2006 C4 has failed to start. A trickle charge overnight cured the problems. Both times I've had the battery and alternator checked and both were found to be good. I don't drive the car every day, but I do drive it at least once a week. The battery is probably about three and a half years old and I was prepared to replace it, but then it gets a good rating when checked. Not sure if I should try to take it to an electrical shop to see if anything is draining the power or just try to start it more often.

 

depends on how far you drive it once a week. 5-10 miles won't charge it.

 

I drive my car seldomly in the summer months, due to riding on 2 wheels more.... Owning several heavy duty vehicles that sit a lot, we find replacing batteries at 4 years or less reasonable before having problems.


Many of the German batteries...Varta brand in particular, are made by Johnson controls right here in the USA. Johnson controls also makes Interstate batteries.


Has your alternator cable been replaced yet? Your battery is likely your cars second including the original equipment... For $150-200 bucks, why not install a new battery anyways just to be safe?


Fix before problems arise. These cars like attention.... even when parked at night. I check on mine every time nature calls in the middle of the night.


Im done buying "OEM" dealer batteries for insane double the price of the same or equally quality "aftermarket" battery who actually makes the OEM ones in the first place.


Good luck.

 

I had intended to replace it, but when it checked out fine I balked. I'll pay more attention to driving it more and keep an eye on it. I haven't replaced an alternator cable and hadn't even considered that possibility. Thanks.

 

Use a battery tender like those from CTEK - identical to the one Porsche sells, but without the P logo, so a lot cheaper.


These are almost essential for a lightly driven car - I got 6 years out of my original battery. In the past, driving like I do, without the CTEK I'd be lucky to get 3 years from a battery.

 

I just bought the EverStart battery from Walmart. cheaper, made by Johnson Controls and has more cranking amps than the Bosch battery it replaced. My car has had anemic start for the last 12 months. now, it starts like a charm

 

I'm not familiar with a battery tender and in looking at the CTEK site I can't find one. They offer a wide variety of chargers, but I don't see a tender.

 

when I bought my '08c4 it was very sluggish starting with an OEM battery. I replaced it with an autozone battery.l started much better but the battery died in less than 2 years. autozone replaced it free but I opted for their gel battery and I now keep it on a ctek battery tender. starts much better than ever before. I had been aware of the battery cable issues but figured I would try a new battery first. so far, it seems to have been the right decision.

 

try ebay for the ctek. get one with a cigarette lighter plug in...or if you have to, get the tender and buy the battery plug in separately. they are both available on ebay. $70.00 to $100.00 total.

 

P Lady.... iirc, the 2008 MY already has the updated starter cable. The issues seemed to affect only the 05 and 6 cars.


I inspected mine when I replaced my AOS and starter as preventative maintenance and checked out my cable...good to go.


Those Gel batteries are nice.


Winston.... I like my everstart JC everstart walmart battery too. About HALF of the OEM Porsche STICKERED battery.


Ctek chargers are great. I think I got mine on amazon for $47 shipped. or $65 or something like that.

 

The early 997's have a known issues with the cable between the battery, starter, and alternator. Over time along with engine heat it builds up resistance. This causes too much of a voltage drop from the alternator to the battery making it difficult to charge the battery while driving.

See here from Suncoast on how to check if you have the issue using a multimeter. Basically a 0.5V drop or more is a problem: http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/SKU997HARNESS.html