Whats wrong with my car?

My wife took the car out and after stopping at the gas station, couldnt get it started so she got someone to try to jump start it. It didnt work, the windows went half way down, airbags light came on, GPS screen was blinking...So she calls me and i call Porsche who said they will send a tow truck. (Cant send a battery in that truck apparently..It's either a tow truck or a roadside assistance...It must be pretty hard to fit a battery and some tools in a tow truck...Ridiculous.). Anyway, a few minutes later some guy started flirting with her (!!) and finds out she is stranded..He jumps starts the car and the car starts and runs..She calls the tow truck and cancels (pays a fee) and drives home. ( i will check it when im back in Chicago..stuff always happens when im away..)


So im guessing i need to buy a new battery. But can i change it myself or will i screw up all the electronics? Did the first guy screw up the electronics when he tried to jump start it? (windows up and down, blinking GPS screen...airbags lights on..)

 

Did she leave the key in the ignition and the door unlocked while she refueled ? The car can sense when the chipped key is in the ignition slot and not turned on.

IIRC they have a disabling feature after a period of time if this happens, and you have to remove the key, and then restart the car.

This is what it sounds like.

 

I will ask her. But i think it's the battery who is done because before i left, i had to crank it a few times before the engine started. I didnt know she was going to use the car so i figured i would do it when i was back in Chicago. (battery is 4 years old..).

 

you can change the battery yourself, it is easily accessible...but be careful when you disconnect/reconnect, or you can fry electrical components.

 

It's amazing what a new battery does for these cars sometimes. Too many electric gizmos like the aforementioned anti-theft stuff....et al......which also gets triggered easily.

 

It should be fine. That happens when the cables don't have good contact or aren't transferring quite enough voltage.

 

I would not jumpstart any modern car. Use a jumpbox or nothing. Any voltage spike can really f-up any number of electronics on the car. I used my audi to jumpstart an old car of mine and it fried the cruise control and turn signal switches.

 

Wait.

You're married and you keep the avatar of a past girlfriend?

 

one in paris, one in chicago!

 

Careful he doesn't ask you the same question!

 

Yer baaaaaaaaaaaaahd!

 

I never ever jump start a modern car, and I have never gotten 4 years out any battery in a modern car. For some reason my 997 is the worst of any of the 39 Porsche's I have owned, I went through the first battery in 2 1/2 years, granted there is very little left stock in my car, but it will probably need another battery after this winter. Though my car just wont turn over, the blinking stuff, that I have never seen.

 

Hehe...i havent looked at my avatar for years. Completely forgot about it. I'll change it.

 

Well im back and i tried starting the car and it started no problem...with the same battery. Very strange. I'll go battery shopping tomorrow.

 

I think that was the problem right there

 

I was told by the P dealer to take the keys out of the ignition, roll up the windows and lock the car to reduce battery drainage.

 

Been reading rennlist and 6speedonline and it seems i can buy a battery at Walmart called Maxx94R for $77 and they install it for free!

 

OEM Porsche batteries are expensive CRAP.........I always bought the INTERSTATE brand for 1/3 the price.........

 

Bought the battery at Walmart. Their book didnt list the battery for my car so they wouldnt install it, but the guy was kind enough to lend me his tools and i installed the battery in 5 mns.

Works great so far. I got scared for a few seconds when the computer said PASM, PSM and sport failure but after a few yard driving, it all got back to normal.