Help - My Cayman will not start. Electrical issue I think!! - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Since my 09 Cayman went in for a Major Service at an OCP I feel it has not being the same car. It has only done 19.5K miles. To me it does not pick up like it use to or stick to the road like it did. (It also came back with a few scratches for which they agreed to give me a Free Machine Polish, hearing some horror stories might give that a swerve!!) Over the last two months however the fuel gauge has completely packed up, the windows don't often go back up when the doors are shut and the clock constantly resets with every ignition. Had booked it in to be seen on Thursday but tonight it will not start at all. The bizarre thing is that now the radio just randomly comes on without the key even in the ignition or anyone been in the car. The other half is totally freaked out!! Is this going to be a pricey fix it is still under warranty. Thanking you in anticipation G

You need Father Karras.

The sticking to the road could be tires that are getting worn out and hard from heat cycles. Check the tire pressures too. As for the starting and other issues, I suspect the car's battery is dying or more likely has died. If you need something else to consider check for dampness in the cabin. The body water drains can get blocked and water from rain or even from washing can back up and overflow into the cabin and cause all sorts of electrical gremlins. But a bad ignition switch can cause all sorts of electrical gremlins, too. If the car is covered by a warranty get the car flat bedded to the dealer and let the warranty do what it is supposed to do.

Agree with the battery suggestion. Five years life seems fairly typical for the type Porsche insist on. This could well sort the majority of the issues.

Thank-you for the help. Typical that this is the one week I don't have access to my other half's car as she is away on holiday and being a Bank Holiday it confuses the issue further. Went in to Halfords and spent £115 on the best battery they had got it home put it in, and the car started first time. The only thing that does not seem to work is the petrol gauge now. I assume that would be an MOT failure so I would have to get it fixed at some point? If I take it in to the OPC will they insist on changing the battery to an approved one? I own the car on a PCP deal so am not bothered about the longevity of the battery just need it to last a couple more years and the only thing left I need to do is get it minor serviced next year. Thank-you once again for the help. G

A Porsche recommended battery (Moll) is required to renew the Porsche Warranty. Having one fitted will not invalidate your warranty but would result in a claim being denied if it was linked to the non-Porsche item (battery or anything else) being fitted. Porsche GB confirmed the above with me after Porsche Assistance (the RAC) were forced to fit a non-OEM battery to my Cayman as it was the only thing they had in stock. When I called Porsche to clarify the warranty situation, they actually agreed to pay for an OEM battery to be fitted so credit where it's due. I guess the only other thing you need to be careful of is whether or not the finance agreement has any stipulations about modifications to the car. Hope this helps.

A Porsche recommended battery (Moll) is required to renew the Porsche Warranty. Having one fitted will not invalidate your warranty but would result in a claim being denied if it was linked to the non-Porsche item (battery or anything else) being fitted. Porsche GB confirmed the above with me after Porsche Assistance (the RAC) were forced to fit a non-OEM battery to my Cayman as it was the only thing they had in stock. When I called Porsche to clarify the warranty situation, they actually agreed to pay for an OEM battery to be fitted so credit where it's due. I guess the only other thing you need to be careful of is whether or not the finance agreement has any stipulations about modifications to the car. Hope this helps.