rs10

Mine takes maybe 2 seconds from when I turn the key all the way until when the engine starts. The starter starts right away, and I think I almost always hear it turn 3 or 4 times before the engine catches. One place told me that's normal, all the Porsche's we service do that. But they don't service many; probably very few 996s. And I've also heard that slow starting can be a first sign of Variocam issues, so I'd like to know whether mine is normal!

Thanks for any info/advice!

Ahsai

It's 1.5~1.7s. I meaured it using a Bluetooth OBDII dongle plus the Torque app.

RickMiller

I haven't timed it, but mine seems to fire up on the first turn pretty much every time...

R

Gonzo911

Could also be the first sign your battery is dying. I noticed my start up was starting to lag. Wasn't long before the battery was kaput.

Hurdigurdiman

Mine fires up immediately. I don't even hear it crank if you know what I mean. Bang and its there. A battery lasts approx 4 years if that's any help. If the engine turns fast before firing up then it's not the battery. If it turns slowly before it fires, then it could be the battery. Does the engine tick over smoothly at 800 after firing? If not then it might be you need new plugs. If it does, then I would have the battery tested free at pep boys or Auto Zone. Lock your car completely in your garage as an unlocked car takes more out of the battery than a locked one does. Good luck.

rs10

I suppose the battery might be dying, or alternately, that it is draining too much between use. What is the normal level of charge? (What number should I see on the gauge on the left side of the instrument panel?) (I know I've seen above 12, but I can't remember whether a little or a lot. Now it's at 12.0, but I had to recharge it a bit yesterday, and I might not have charged it enough.)

Ahsai

It should be around 14v at cold start then tappered to ~13.5v. It should not drop below 13v when lots of accesories are on. If it does, the battery is not charging.

You can get this
to monitor the voltage. Extremely accurate and handy. Do not get any equivalent. This model is the best with 2 digits after the decimal.

AA717driver

When hot, mine will take a few cranks. Cold, it fires off pretty quick.

TC

03996

Mine takes 3 or 4 turns then starts. Same way hot or cold. Been that way since I've owned it (3yrs). Same battery.

I have assumed it's designed that way to allow some oil pressure into the system before any load is felt.

Gonzo911

12.0 volts is low. Take it to Pep Boys or Auto Zone and have them test the battery. If the battery is fine then you may need to look at your alternator.

Meares

my 03 coupe started to crank slowly, so I replaced the starter....faster, still takes a little longer than i'd like, but, it's doing well....battery is fine....i'm replacing that next week anyway and i'll update

P9ELEVEN

mine starts up right away however once in a while, it takes couple seconds longer.

jamren

Mine takes 3 or 4 cranks and my battery is new. I observed another 996 starting a few months ago and it was the same. I am guessing that this is normal....

AA717driver

Yeah, my voltmeter is pretty consistently at 14, occasionally dropping down to 13.5-13.8 after a couple of back-to-back starts.

TC

rs10

Are these voltage levels when the car is warm? Would it be less when it is cold?

My local specialist found no drain and therefore replaced the battery. Now when I park the car after going for a drive, it shows 13.0-13.1. But after it has been sitting for a while, I see low 12s. And then after a short ~10 min drive, it's back to ~13. (And then as I sit and watch the oil test function tick off 45 seconds, the voltage level slowly drops to maybe 12.7.) (By the way, it is cold out (though not freezing), and my garage is maybe halfway between outside and room temperature, if that makes any difference.)

Anyway, I'm wondering if, under the circumstances, I should consider this voltage level normal ...