996FLT6

Just drove GT3 first time after 4 weeks. I noticed car won't fire up right away. I turn ignition to start car then it hesitates then after 2 seconds it fires up. The voltmeter reads 12 when just turn to ignition then reads 13 when fired up and engine fully warmed. Is it battery or alternator? Thanks in advance. Mike

IamSMC

Tough to say what caused your particular battery situation, but Porsche as been advocating using a maintainer/charger for infrequent driven Porsches.

http://www.mrzaccessories.com/mm5/me...Store_Code=MRZ

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsc...QQcmdZViewItem

GT3 Chuck

the factory battery in the GT3 sucks...my first one lasted less than 3 years and the factory replacement gets low if I don't drive the car often enough...next battery will be an optima 34R and that should be that...had a 34R in my 427 Cobra for 10 years before it got weak and it was driven less than the GT3..

StevoUK

Battery maintainer will do just that.

I have a maintainer like the ebay Porsche one above - but without the expensive Porsche name on it! see Item number: 250358257160 $64.99 woodyscustomshop

"This Buy It Now listing is for a CTEK Multi US 3300 12 volt battery charger which is also known as a float charger or battery tender/maintainer. Small in size, weather resistant and dust proof. This charger will fully charge and then maintain your battery at full charge and allow your battery to exceed it's projected lifespan. As seen on Dream Car Garage, CTEK makes chargers for Aston Martin, Harley Davidson, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz Mclaren SLR, the premium Mercedes brand Maybach, Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ferrari. These OEM's charge $150 to $300+ for the same charger."


Batteries fail if they go very nearly flat often and its not the quality of the Porsche one either just a fact of science.
I keep the original on a maintainer and occasionally swap it to a bigger battery which is on the car - so I always have a charged one.

Lawrence_P

Mine did exactly that. Got a new battery, never happened again.

enthusiast

As StevoUK pointed out, one needs to use a battery maintainer on the 996 GT3 because there are too many electrical system drains on the battery.

I have been using the CTEK Multi US 3300 model for years and it works great.

Holger B

Mike, I had the exact same issue with mine recently after I hadn't driven it for awhile (battery only 1 year old). Jump started it and drove it around a bit and everything is fine now. You need to drive it more often or put it on a battery maintainer.

wilfred

I just posted below on another thread few days ago:

"Actually, the 3300 has the AGM batteries (Optima/Odyssey/Maxima) mode and the Porsche one doesn't. Since some have upgraded the extra small battery our GT3 comes with, the 3300 is indeed the better choice for those that might do so down the road. I have the Porsche one because I like to keep my garage queen as stock as possible so I know I will not be upgrading the battery. Besides, the Porsche was only $100 or so, not too much more than the 3300 - $75 (including the cigarette lighter adaptor).

Be sure not to get the CTEK 800 (which is what Ferrari uses), it is too weak IMO. It takes more than a week to bring a battery to full level. And the CTEK 7000 (Bentley & Mercedes) is the powerhouse for those humungous batteries. I guess you could consider it if you have a car in the household with a huge battery!"

Based on your avatar pic, I guess you track your GT3. So I would suggest you getting the CTEK 3300 instead, in case you do upgrade your battery down the road.

Accelerator

I haven't cranked my car in a while (on a Porsche battery maintainer) but as I recall, my voltage with engine running is 14+. Don't rule out a failing alternator.

Sloth

I replce the factory battery every two years as part of my normal maintenance routine. I find that your working on borrowed time after that.