2008 Cayman struggles to start.

[gilliambot]

Hi guys,

I regularly drive my cayman at least 2-3 times a week, but over the last month or two it has struggled to start when I turn the key in the ignition, it sounds like it is really struggling, all the lights and pcm flash on and off a few times, then eventually the car starts. At first I thought this was due to the cold weather, but then the other night it happened after I had pulled into a petrol station off the A3, so by that point the car had warmed up, it was only switched off for the 5 minutes I filled the engine and paid, then it took 3 attempts of depressing the clutch and turning the key to get the engine to start. On a side note the pcm 2.1 on a few occasions has restarted itself while I have been driving, Im not sure if this is related or not. Any suggestions of what might be the problem would be fantastic thank you.

[tr7v8]

My guess the battery is on its last legs, modern CANBUS cars are very sensitive to voltage & I suspect that the battery is starting to flag.

[gilliambot]

Cheers mate. Is there any way for me to test it myself, or is it a take it to the garage jobbiie?

[Sean Smallman]

I agree with Jim, Porsche batteries are not the best.

[WazzerM]

I bought one of these (at the old higher price boohoo) which tells you how the battery's performing - good piece o' kit seemingly.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-12V-Batt ... ery+tester

If the battery's good then get an Indie to check that the voltages in all the connecting cables are what they should be BEFORE considering alternator / starter motor as I replaced both (duuur) which only slightly improved it (a similar situation). It turned out that one of the cables was performing incorrectly - they made me a new cable and then everything came to life - didn't cost me a penny. Sorry I can't be more technical - little know how here.

[tr7v8]

If you have a Porsche Warranty then you'll need a Porsche battery otherwise they'll get excited. Otherwise my Box has £100 of 5 year warranty Halfords on it!