Hi all, I'll make this as succinct as possible.
I have a Dec 06 CS - 17400 miles.
2 months ago I got in the car (the day after after a long drive) and it was completely dead. Absolutely nothing. Key was stuck, couldn't open the bonnet.
I jump started it - after the absolute pain that is getting the bonnet open via the fuse box - went for a long drive and later that day when I next drove the car it started fine.
So, stopped for dinner. Got back in the car and it was dead. This time it wouldn't take a jump. Called the RAC they came out and jumped it and I was on my way.
Got back to London, the thing was dead again. So, it's a battery issue. Simple...? Not quite.
For one reason and then another it took 2 weeks until I could take a morning off work and had my local Porsche Specialist dealer bring out a new battery. I gave him the key, he unlocked it on the fob, got in the car and it started straight away.
I followed him to the garage, they changed the battery anyway, tried it a few times and it was fine. One more time just before they handed over the keys. Dead.
They kept the car for the day, put another battery in and it worked again and again. Great, I thought. Problem solved.
2 weeks later. I've been driving the car without problems and then, whadya know, it dies on me again.
So, another jump and straight to Porsche West London.
They take a good 24 hours to call back with a diagnosis. It's not good and will cost "in the region of £1000". I refuse to pay (the car is just out of warranty). Eventually Porsche agree to repair the car and pay the bill "as a gesture of good will".
Eventually the car is returned to me and I ask for the paper work, which initially they refuse but I get it and they've blacked out the costs.
So, what's on the work sheet?
Replace starter cable on engine 3.20TU
Hexagon Nut (2)
079547/Repair Kit (1)
Wiring Harness (1)
My question to you: how could this possibly cost "in the region of £1000", and is there a known fault with the starter cables?
Thanks for your time.
This should be in Complaints - but don't know how to move it. Sorry!
Absolutely Shocking! That they:-
1/- Refuse to remedy the fault under warranty when you had presumably(?) already notified them of the original problem within the warranty period
2/- Quote a 1000 quid and then black out the costs
3/- Refuse to issue the paperwork.
Did they replace the complete wiring harness or part thereof....I imagine neither is cheap when the labour is taken into consideration.
Nevertheless, well done for sticking to your guns and I hope all is well from now on. There's nothing worse than losing confidence in your car. It's also very embarrassing when your car is a Porsche - renowned and admired for their reliability. Allegedy!
I'm not sure how much of the harness was replaced. I don't know what this part is - thought it was some kind of table tie to be honest!
They said that they had to black out the costs because they repaired this under warranty.
I really hope that the fault is fixed. I used the car all weekend without any problems. But I have this niggling doubt in the back of mind every time I start it now. I think I've lost my faith! Which is terrible.
Interesting thread and sorry about your problem. If you read many of the aftermarket install articles you quickly discover that wiring harnesses for Porsches are virtually a custom part in many instances. If a wiring harness was the problem (I don't know what a 079547/Repair Kit is), then troubleshooting the electrical fault could be quite time consuming coupled with an expensive replacement assembly.
While I understand your loss of faith consider this, if the problem recurs then the original fault was not repaired and you have a case for further action on their part. Good luck and perhaps your faith will come back if the repair was successful.
