Won't Start...Been sitting awhile - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

pompous · 06-05-2007, 12:57 PM

My box has been sitting for around 3 wks maybe. Now it won't start. I put the key in and nothing. I think I remember reading something about this happening, but I can't remember how to fix it. Any help?

06-05-2007, 01:00 PM

Dead battery. You need a battery maintainer.

pompous · 06-05-2007, 01:01 PM

After 3 wks?? I thought I read somewhere about if the car sits for a while it will shut down or something like that.

06-05-2007, 01:08 PM

Depends on the "health" of your current battery. You may just need a jump or a new battery.

I plug my car into the Porsche Battery Maintainer now whenever I know it will be sitting more than 5-7 days.

pompous · 06-05-2007, 01:24 PM

anybody think i'll have any luck charging it? I'm almost afraid to jump it. Come to think of it...i don't even think i know how to jump it. lol

RandallNeighbour · 06-05-2007, 01:41 PM

It couldn't hurt to try charging it. Check the date on it though... if it's 36 months old or older, buy a new one. Sam's Club has good batteries for our cars for not much cash from what BruceLee (forum co-owner) reports. The genuine Porsche batteries are both expensive and not as good... I wish I had learned this before I plunked down $125 for mine.

If you have a newer Boxster it may be hard to get the front trunk open without some fiddling because of the electronic switch to open it. In this case, you'll have to do a thread search to find out how to get it popped open. There's a wire somewhere to pull.

Another way around the "find the wire" hack is to put in a cigarette lighter type of battery charger and let it sit for a while so you can get the electric switch to open the front trunk.

Of course, if you have an older box like mine, just pull the handle and you're there. The battery is directly in front of the windshield under a black plastic cover (in case you've never found it before)

denverpete · 06-05-2007, 02:06 PM

Hold on - let's clarify "put the key in and nothing".

Without the key in the ignition can you open your front hood or turn on your lights? If you can't get into your front hood - then it's your battery. But, if you can...

When you put the key in does everything else come on but it won't start? If so, are you fully depressing the clutch (hear the click)?

If you can get into the hood, other items come on, and you're fully depressing the clutch - then it's probably your ignition switch...

pompous · 06-05-2007, 02:22 PM

I put the key in and nothing at all. Light or anything.

I found my way into the front hood and made it to the battery. I tried to jump it w/my SUV the way the manual says and i got lights and what not, but engine wouldn't turn over...just a couple clicks. I let it sit for about close to 10 min. before trying to start it, but still no luck. So, the battery is now out and i'm thinking i'm gonna try charging it.

RandallNeighbour · 06-05-2007, 03:50 PM

I just hate it when that happens.

djomlas · 06-05-2007, 09:09 PM

is your car manual? did you try push and start?

Dr. Kill · 06-06-2007, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pompous

After 3 wks?? I thought I read somewhere about if the car sits for a while it will shut down or something like that.

My battery went dead after less than 2 weeks of being in the garage.

Also, when I tried jumping it, I quickly found out that I had to leave it connected much longer than I ever did with any of my other cars for it to turn over. On top of that, a 45 min drive after it started did NOT put enough power back into it to start the next time I turned it on.

I thought that there was no way that my battery was fine, but after taking the advice of several people on this forum, I purchased a battery maintainer/ charger from my local autozone, charged the car over night (it turned itself off when through). Then in the morning, it cranked right up and I have had no problems ever since.

I hope your fix is as easy and inexpensive as mine was. Good luck.

pompous · 06-06-2007, 06:05 AM

Well, I pulled the battery out and charged it over night. Put it back in this morning and it started right up. So, I'm gonna stop by an auto parts store and pick up one of those maintainers. How much do they typically cost? How do they work anyway? I had the same problem when I went to start my motorcycle. So, I probably need one for it to. yeeesh...lol

NickCats · 06-06-2007, 06:29 AM

I have the Harley sitting on the Battery Tender Plus and the Boxster on the Porsche Battery Maintainer in the winter and I am very pleased with both :

http://www.epiqautosport.com/pro_battery_maintainer.php

Nick

06-06-2007, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pompous

Well, I pulled the battery out and charged it over night. Put it back in this morning and it started right up. So, I'm gonna stop by an auto parts store and pick up one of those maintainers. How much do they typically cost? How do they work anyway? I had the same problem when I went to start my motorcycle. So, I probably need one for it to. yeeesh...lol

http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=98061198100&Category_Code=POTEBXSS

Dr. Kill · 06-06-2007, 08:01 AM

I picked up a $60 unit from Autozone that will maintain, charge & diagnose battery issues - it is a pretty cool little device.

I am sure the links the others provided you with are for quality products as well.

Glad to hear you are back on the road.

Sir_Ben · 06-09-2007, 03:31 PM

There is a programmed power shutdown for non-essential circuits if the car isn't used for more than 3 days (I think). I was away for 2 weeks and found that I couldn't get in with the remote. The way to re-activate is to unlock the driver's door with the key, holding it in the unlock position for 2-3 seconds. Then lock it again with the remote. Then unlock it with the remote to clear the immobiliser and all should be OK. (This worked for my UK car and I hope it's the same for yours).