7 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHSluggish cranking during startup
Leading reported evidence
Replace positive cables
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
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 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 replaced the positive cables, which run from the battery in the back to the starter, then forward to the alternator, the ABS unit, and on via an engine bay jump post to the central electrics panel.
Leading evidence: 'Replace positive cables' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check ok' (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 use a more interesting industrial-strength unit from a NAPA store, one with a graduated float that gives actual density.
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
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
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
The floating-balls one is easier, faster, tells me what I need to know, and is much easier to clean after I use it.
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
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Suggestion
For the person who has everything though, I still recommend a large dose of penicillin to start...
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 replaced the positive cables, which run from the battery in the back to the starter, then forward to the alternator, the ABS unit, and on via an engine bay jump post to the central electrics panel.
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 replaced the positive cables, which run from the battery in the back to the starter, then forward to the alternator, the ABS unit, and on via an engine bay jump post to the central electrics panel.
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.
7 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Carpokes: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
3 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
I bought it for my 1999 911 cab when I had a slow crank when hot; however, the battery fixed it.
Engine turnover on cold start-up is very sluggish. Get WORSE after driving 30 minutes or more.
Battery, starter, alternator all check OK. However battery shows 50% charged, and meter says “charge battery and retest.”
I’m thinking of just replacing the battery, since I’m not sure how old it is. Any other ideas are welcomed.
Well, if you don't know the age of the battery, there's probably no harm in changing it. That said, I'd suspect the battery/alternator cables if the battery and alternator are testing ok. They are known to corrode on the inside and cause low voltage issues -- often starting ok when cold and getting worse as the car warms up. They look fine on the outside, but corrode inside so often go overlooked.
https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/9 ... W5TbWTeKHe
Following on Tom's excellent guidance...
My car suffered a gradual deterioration in starting. I travelled a lot for work, and while I was gone I left a maintainer plugged in. But if i drove it a bunch sometimes it would struggle cranking. Meter readings showed everything was OK as far as charging and voltage drop. I ended up with long test leads and a few meters, looking for voltage drop in some of the primary cable sections. I replaced the positive cables, which run from the battery in the back to the starter, then forward to the alternator, the ABS unit, and on via an engine bay jump post to the central electrics panel. All new. but still seemed to have trouble charging the battery. Scratched head where hair used to grow, but that didn't help. More research turned up a recommendation about the ground strap between the chassis and the battery. Mine 'looked' fine, and when testing with a meter while cranking it measured fine. I replaced it anyway, and the charging issues disappeared. Corrosion in the copper strap braid inside the protective shrink sleeve wasn't obvious until I cut it apart.
Replacement is a tinned-copper braided strap, with shrink sleeve to protect it as it passes out of the box, past the spare wheel and cover, and finally to the rear apron and crossmember. It's the same spec that ABYC demands for on-board marine duty, but has a regular battery post clamp on one end. Marine installs always have lugs rather than clamps. Anyway, a 2ga-equivalent strap solved the problem.
For your half-charged battery, connect a smart charger/maintainer directly to the battery posts, and see if it 'comes back'. Mine gets an annual test for specific gravity, usually a good indicator of slowly deteriorating batteries. A little floating-balls tester is under $5 at the local Wal-Mart. I use a more interesting industrial-strength unit from a NAPA store, one with a graduated float that gives actual density. The floating-balls one is easier, faster, tells me what I need to know, and is much easier to clean after I use it.
Poor wiring, corrosion and connections force the alternator to work harder to charge the battery. Batteries really don't like to be anything short (sorry...) of full charge, so living with poor connections and corroded wires will cost you in both alternator and battery life.
I ended up buying a couple dozen of those plated straps, and offered them to area owners when I held regular clinics at our home above Los Angeles. Great stocking stuffers or door prizes, in case you are looking for a thoughtful gift as the holiday season looms larger again.
For the person who has everything though, I still recommend a large dose of penicillin to start...
My 2 cents...I had a similar issue a few years ago in my 997, but my battery was new and 100% good. I changed out the "Y" cable (starter/alternator cable) and also threw a new starter into the car as a "while I'm in there" measure. Dramatic result! My car now starts every time in about ½ second. I swear it fires up before the crank even has a chance to make a full rotation. I insulated the "Y" cable with a heat proof sheath off of Amazon in order to keep the heat away as well as NOT clipping it to the engine with the factory clips thereby leaving about 2 inches between the cable and the block, heat being the enemy of the "Y" cable.
One other unrelated thing I did at the time was to ad a second ground strap from the engine to the body. The car has one on the right side, mine now also has one on the left side of the engine. As Dr. Bob has mentioned, having everything very well grounded is essential. Your electrons will thank you!
