12 captured repliesPartial discussion capture · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH986 Battery drain - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK
Reported or suspected cause
tracker, the second time the stereo amplifier
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
First time around it was the Tracker, the second time the stereo amplifier.
Check there's a consistent charge across the rev range
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Alternator - unlikely as a run seems to help, but have heard that the charging capability can drop off at higher revs so need to have a meter on the battery and check there's a consistent charge across the rev range.
Leading evidence: 'tracker, the second time the stereo amplifier' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'tracker, the second time the stereo amplifier' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check there's a consistent charge across the rev range' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I did the test with a multi meter where I removed the battery negative cable, put the positive lead from the meter on the battery and the negative meter lead on the disconnected lead and the meter on Amps.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I have had one for 3 years with the same issue (2002 986 2.7), as I don’t use it much I replaced the battery with whatever one Eurocarparts had on offer and the problem continued.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I removed the driver's side air vent and used a very cut down small flat-head screwdriver to access the grub screws.
Check there's a consistent charge across the rev range
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Alternator - unlikely as a run seems to help, but have heard that the charging capability can drop off at higher revs so need to have a meter on the battery and check there's a consistent charge across the rev range.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Check there's a consistent charge across the rev range
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Alternator - unlikely as a run seems to help, but have heard that the charging capability can drop off at higher revs so need to have a meter on the battery and check there's a consistent charge across the rev range.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I did the test with a multi meter where I removed the battery negative cable, put the positive lead from the meter on the battery and the negative meter lead on the disconnected lead and the meter on Amps.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I have had one for 3 years with the same issue (2002 986 2.7), as I don’t use it much I replaced the battery with whatever one Eurocarparts had on offer and the problem continued.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
My mum has a 60,000 mile 986 3.2 S, 2003 I believe, and it seems something is drawing power when the car is in standby as it the battery will run flat even after a day of not being driven.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Alternator - unlikely as a run seems to help, but have heard that the charging capability can drop off at higher revs so need to have a meter on the battery and check there's a consistent charge across the rev range.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I used to use one in my S and left it plugged in not realising they stay on and eventually it drained the battery…remembered to pull it out each time after using the car and never had another issue…
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
12 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
PistonHeads: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T033922Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
My mum has a 60,000 mile 986 3.2 S, 2003 I believe, and it seems something is drawing power when the car is in standby as it the battery will run flat even after a day of not being driven. I have ordered a clamp on ammeter so I can start doing some DIY diagnostics but honestly I'm not sure what sort of process to follow with this and I'm looking for suggestions.
I don't believe it's the alternator not charging the battery as I drove the car 40 miles on the motorway and the car started immediately after turning the car off, but the next day it wouldn't.
Any suggestions of know issues would be really appreciated. Mum is getting pretty close to just scrapping it, which I think would be a bloody shame.
Many of these have a tracker fitted. At this age the battery built in to the tracker has died and so the tracker constantly draws from the main battery rather than just charging up the internal battery when the car is running.
I have the same issue on ours at the moment. I'm going to try and find out the issue over the Christmas break.
Things to look at:
Boot and frunk lights - Shut small child in (preferably one who's afraid of the dark) if they scream you know the light goes out. If no child available phone on video record should do the trick.
Alternator - unlikely as a run seems to help, but have heard that the charging capability can drop off at higher revs so need to have a meter on the battery and check there's a consistent charge across the rev range.
It then becomes a process of elimination. Have a meter on the battery and systematically pulling fuses to see if current draw reduces/stops. Good description at this link
http://testmeterpro.com/parasitic-draw-test-with-a...
My money is on the radio, but only because I want it to be that as it's easy to change!
Good luck!
I've had this twice with 2 different 986s. First time around it was the Tracker, the second time the stereo amplifier.
With the former I just kept it on a trickle charger.
My 986S gets a bit dodgy if I leave it longer than about 4 or 5 days. It then either just about starts, or fails to and needs a recharge.
If it does start, a 15-minute run means it's OK for another few days.
I have had one for 3 years with the same issue (2002 986 2.7), as I don’t use it much I replaced the battery with whatever one Eurocarparts had on offer and the problem continued. I eventually switched to a Bosch S4 battery around a year ago and have never had an issue since despite it only getting started maybe once a week.
Not being funny but you haven’t got one of those Bluetooth adaptors plugged into your AC socket have you?
I used to use one in my S and left it plugged in not realising they stay on and eventually it drained the battery…remembered to pull it out each time after using the car and never had another issue…
I think I fixed mine over the Christmas break.
I did the test with a multi meter where I removed the battery negative cable, put the positive lead from the meter on the battery and the negative meter lead on the disconnected lead and the meter on Amps.
with everything off and key removed this shows the draw on the battery. Make sure you close the frunk latch with a screw driver or remove the bulb and same with drivers door so you don't get a false reading from those lights.
I then systematically removed the fuses in the footwell one by one to see if the draw dropped. Mine dropped significantly when fuse C7 (I think it was that location) was removed. This fuse is for "terminal X" which is the ignition switch.
As mentioned above, this is a pain to get too. you need to get on your back in the footwell and remove the air vent pipe that runs along just below the steering column. It also helps to remove the drivers side air vent, light switch and the trunking behind it.
With those removed, its a simple case of pulling the multi plug off the back of the switch from underneath, then removing the little grub screws on the switch by going through the hole you now have in the dash. Fit new one and put back together. After that, my current draw was almost zero.
Yours may not be that, but going through all the fuses is a good start. It will identify if it's radio related as well. Mine wasn't!
...and this is the switch replacement. As r.g. says its a contortionists dream to get to.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006QY2LG0?ref_=pe_270...
I removed the driver's side air vent and used a very cut down small flat-head screwdriver to access the grub screws. If they have never been removed previously, they will have a small amount of red-enamel painted on them, which you will need to scrape off with the cut-down screwdriver before you can get to the slots (2 grub screws).
