battery dead?

Hi I have not really used this forum before, I am not sure if I am in the right place. Hopefully someone can help. I bought a 2007 Cayman almost 2 years ago this December. I don't really drive it much. When I don't I have it hooked up to the charger when I don't plan to use it. I have trouble starting it up, and have had to jump the car on several occasions. It doesn't seem hold the charge. Is there a way of telling if the battery is "done" Anyone know if this is covered under warranty? I read Porsche's vague warranty. Under "normal" driving. But I have it hooked up to the slow charger. I did look at the battery electrolyte levels, and they were very low. Any thoughts on how I can get the battery to work? Thanks.

There are several dozen threads to review on batteries. I'd suggest searching them out for more complete knowledge. But the bottom line is that the car uses a lot of battery power, it requires significant driving at proper speeds and distance to keep charged or the use of a battery maintainer ( not a charger - there is a difference) and Porsche generally will not warranty a battery if the car is driven under 6000 miles/year unless there is a defect. Your dealer can test for that. Owners forget that proper but simple battery maintenance is required. If yours was hooked to a charger and not a maintainer I'd say it is done for or close to being done for. I'd still stop by the dealer and let them check it out in the hopes it shows up as a bad cell or some other warranted issue.

Thank you very much. I believe it was on a maintainer. It is attached to the battery, I just plugged it in. I got the car with it. Do you think it is possible if I put it on a powerful charger it will work?

Hard to say without testing but I doubt it. Get it checked over. No use having a fine machine that you are unsure will start when you want to play. What brand of device are you using? That should tell us.

Sante Fe, you are a wealth of info. I am not sure which device I have, it was factory installed. Can the battery be tested easily to see if it is "dead", I have been reading the forums on batteries, I didn't realize so many people had problems. Which battery would you recommend?

I meant to ask, can I just remove the battery and take it to the dealership. ie. since the car won't start.

I recommend factory batteries because I've seen cheap fail too often. Others report having have had good success with Interstate brands at least in the short term. I just don't like none factory parts on a long term keeper but that is me. Yes you can take the battery to the dealership and have them test it and ask if they will cover it under warranty. Tell them you think it is a bad cell. OEM is not inexpensive however. Depends on what you think is costly.

I was remiss in not reminding you that Porsche Roadside Service (if it works there as it does here) will retrieve your car and take it to the dealer while under warranty at no cost to you. Then the dealer can make sure the maintainer is working correctly, there are no other mechanical issues as well check the battery for warranty problems. And of course sell you a new one too if you go that route.

No real need to take to dealer unless warranty involved. Any competent shop should be able to load test a battery in order to determine if it is done for. Factory batteries are made by someone else and Porsche slaps an expensive decal on it. Here is some battery info. mike.focke - Boxster Batteries

Thanks guy for the info. I was just reading about battery tenders. I am not sure if I was given a good one. When I bought the Cayman. It was attached right to the battery. I have left it plugged in. Did it "cook" the battery. I was looking for the radio code, doesn't seem to be my manual, and I didn't get a card

Thank you. I wonder if there is something else going on? Electrical problems. When I go to start the car, the lights flash, the flashers go on, not sure if that is typical in battery failure? Also the the battery fluid was very low? Is that normal for a car that is sitting alot?

No radio code. What brand battery maintainer do you have? Some have different settings for motorcycles and cars so you have to make the proper settings choice. If you have maintainer and not a charger it should not harm the battery. But I would suggest if you are not comfortable with them in general you get your dealer to explain how it works to you and to make sure yours works. By the way the car does not come with a maintainer so this was added either by a dealer or a previous owner.

Santa Fe. You know everything. Impressive. I will take a look to see if I see the brand name on the maintainer tomorrow. I am really upset the battery died, and on the maintainer. Could I call a different dealership from where I bought it, to see if they can help with the warranty? I haven't had any service yet, so I may go to another dealership, since the one I purchased it at, has not been helpful. There is no radio code? I called the dealership and they told me there was, but I can't find it. I just wish things were straightforward.

They are wrong - there is no radio code, unless your car is the only one to have one... many times I've seen a battery in one of these cars with just enough juice to make the lights light-up - even play the radio, but not enough to turn the motor over. In the US one can take the car to any dealer, I would imagine it's the same in Canada. A lot of people think all batteries are sealed, no-maintenance batteries, but many still need to be looked after. The ones in the current Porsches need to be looked-in on every once in a while - if the water gets low, you're going to loose power. brad

Got the car with the maintainer? Where can I find that kind of deal? John

Like Beez said, you should be able to go to any dealer you want, I believe warranty work is thru N.America. Doubt in your case your going to run into the States to see a dealer, like I do sitting on the border, but it is an option, so seek out another one in your area if your not happy with the current one to get it straightened out.....:cheers:

Thank you everyone for the advice. I am going to take the battery in to get it checked, it is probably cooked though. Right now I have it plugged into the battery maintainer, will this damage the maintainer?(ie. if the battery is dead) It feels quite warm.

It will not damage if it is a true maintainer but you still have not told us the make and brand and how it is connected so all bets are off. But why not avail yourself of Porsche Roadside Assistance? Free or at least you have already paid for it. That way you can have the battery and the rest of the car checked all at on time.

Hi Santa Fe, I looked at the materials I received when I got the car, it says model no 1002 1.5 amp 12 volt automatic battery charger. I have no called roadside assistance, I really should. But I am in Canada, the nearest dealership is in the US(only about 30 minutes away), but I don't really feel like dealing with customs/border, it can be a real hassle, the nearest Canadian dealership is several hours away. I would like to get the battery fixed, drive it over, then take it over to get checked out at the dealership.

Call Roadside Assistance. They are very good and will probably direct your car to the the most convenient dealer not the closest. What is the brand of your device and how is it connected?

dead battery goodwill? Hi guys, I wanted to thank everyone for their advice. Well I am still trying to get this battery issue cleared up. I have a dead battery, the dealer that I bought it from says they contacted the Porsche reps, trying to get one on goodwill, supposedly they said no.(they have been putting me on hold for over 2 weeks now). Anyway I called another dealer, they were quite helpful. I was told Porsche had a "one time" goodwill of up to $500 for the 4 years of warranty, and they could put the battery through on that, has anyone heard of this?

Re: dead battery goodwill? As has been discussed here, dealers have to consult Porsche. If the car is infrequently used (some indications are that is driving under 6000 miles/year) Porsche normally will say no. It is the fault of the owner that the battery has not been properly maintained (the Owner's Manual refers to batteries as a maintenance item just like tires brakes, rotors, oil). Still there are cases where testing has shown dead cells and batteries are gladly replaced under warranty. In other cases owners have developed great relationships through repeat business or just asking nicely and the dealer will go to bat for the customer on a warranty replacement. There is NO exact answer. Be nice, ask for the battery to be tested, drive more than 6000 miles a year and by all means use a battery maintainer. Not too much to do.

Re: dead battery goodwill? Thank you Santa Fe. You gave good advice to me in the past. Don't get upset. It is just wondering what I should do. The original dealer will sell me a battery at cost. The new dealer, who seems helpful said they can do it under goodwill, a once get out of jail card. I have to bring the car from Canada(trailer it) for them to do this, roadside assistance will do this. I am just afraid I will do this and they won't do what they told me prior to bringing it over, the hassle,etc. then I end up paying even more. I haven't being driving it enough, but I did have it on the maintainer. So the warranty could be argued. Wondering if it is just better to buy the battery.Once I get it all sorted, I am going to drive it all the time.

Re: dead battery goodwill? Roadside Assistance is free under warranty. But that is one way usually. You still have to arrange to pick up the car. If you can get the dealer's promise in writing it might be worth doing. Me, I'd say the inconvenience isn't worth it and go for a new battery at cost. Depends on how you value your time vs your money.

One way on Roadside Assistance may be more of a consideration in the wide-open West than the cheek-by-jowl East. I have a AAA gold membership for 4 cars and drivers for $185 per year. It includes flat-bedding up to 130 miles - both my kids have used it - 80 miles in one case. Local AAA options may vary, of course. My local AAA will also sell and install a battery, but I'm not sure I'd try that with a Cayman.

Correct but I believe the OP is talking about crossing the CA/US border which ratchets up the inconvenience in his/her case.

Exactly, I don't like the inconvenience, but I hate to pay for a battery when I feel I shouldn't. I just don't want to go through all the hassle, ie go through customs into the US, then only to have the dealer tell me something different. But it might be nice for them to see if there is any problem with the electrical system. Wish I had a dealership in my backyard.

Alternator Well I finally got my car fixed, I get it back tomorrow. The battery was dead. When Porsche Roadside Assistance started it up, the guy put the battery cell on incorrectly and I saw smoke. Then he changed it around. The dealership said the radio didn't work, they thought the alternator may have been damaged. Then they said everything is ok. Now, is the alternator going to break down on me? Is this a warrantable issue? When the battery died, I thought about changing it myself, but was afraid I might do damage, some other guy comes along, and may have done something. Any thoughts? Santa Fe?