boxster starting issue after making a few stops

[doclaw64]

I have an 01 S and I wondering if it is a battery issue or alternator or.... issue. Basically, if I run errands in the Boxster when I get in the car and start it, it strains to start. It does start on the 1st try but... It does not happen when I start it for the first time of the day or when it has sat for a few hours. I have also charged the battery overnight and it took a full charge, but it still had issues starting after I did that. I think it is not the battery since it starts fine in the morning and maybe it is the alternator? Any suggestions?

TIA

[Homeoboxter]

Originally Posted by doclaw64

I have an 01 S and I wondering if it is a battery issue or alternator or.... issue. Basically, if I run errands in the Boxster when I get in the car and start it, it strains to start. It does start on the 1st try but... It does not happen when I start it for the first time of the day or when it has sat for a few hours. I have also charged the battery overnight and it took a full charge, but it still had issues starting after I did that. I think it is not the battery since it starts fine in the morning and maybe it is the alternator? Any suggestions?

TIA

If the starter cranks the engine the same way at every attempt, I would suspect the CPS. When it fails, typically it does not work when the engine is hot and works fine when it cools down.

[madtown986]

I went down a massive rabbit hole for weak starts and no-starts with my (new to me) 2002 Boxster S. It turns out I had a ten year old battery and a new one fixed me right up.

Do you have another car with a new-ish battery in it? Try putting that one in your Boxster and see how it does. The battery try can accommodate several different sizes so you might even be able to get the hold down bolt in there and drive around with it. That's what I did on mine. I pulled a battery i bought back in April out of my SUV and dropped it in my Boxster. It fit and I was able to bolt it down.

This thread was a big help for me:
https://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/49850-intermittent-start-problem.html

[madtown986]

I went down a massive rabbit hole for weak starts and no-starts with my (new to me) 2002 Boxster S. It turns out I had a ten year old battery and a new one fixed me right up.

Do you have another car with a new-ish battery in it? Try putting that one in your Boxster and see how it does. The battery try can accommodate several different sizes so you might even be able to get the hold down bolt in there and drive around with it. That's what I did on mine. I pulled a battery i bought back in April out of my SUV and dropped it in my Boxster. It fit and I was able to bolt it down.

This thread was a big help for me:
https://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/49850-intermittent-start-problem.html

[madtown986]

It looks like I posted twice. Sorry about that.

[Jager]

Originally Posted by doclaw64

I have an 01 S and I wondering if it is a battery issue or alternator or.... issue. Basically, if I run errands in the Boxster when I get in the car and start it, it strains to start. It does start on the 1st try but... It does not happen when I start it for the first time of the day or when it has sat for a few hours. I have also charged the battery overnight and it took a full charge, but it still had issues starting after I did that. I think it is not the battery since it starts fine in the morning and maybe it is the alternator? Any suggestions?

TIA

How old is the battery?
Check the battery voltage without the motor running.
Check the battery voltage with the motor running.
Next time you start the car when it is warm, make sure the Air Conditioning is turned off before you turn the key... what happens?