Possibly disastrous first weeks ownership?

Hi All, I'm new to porsche ownership, and to these forums, so I'll try to keep it as short as possible. 1) I buy a tidy early 2001 C4 tiptronic 996 from a guy I know locally; car has FSH from Burgess Hill OPC, 64k miles and no issues apart from the odd rattle and squeak and a stone chip here and there. Previous owner has had car for 4 years and in the last 12 months has only done about 4k miles and car has been on driveway for much of the time and on trickle charger (issues with alarm going off if 911's are left idle for too long as the alarm draws too much power, battery goes flat, alarm thinks its being stolen, so I am told) 2) I pick it up last Sunday and its smiles all round. Great car. I pootle too and from work locally and go on a few runs down to the coast etc but nothing more then 50 miles. Then on Friday I drive 260 miles to Manchester and it's here that it all starts to unravel... 3) I pull over and fill up with petrol; cant wont restart, clattering noise from the rear which I assume is starter not engaging, full set of warning lights and the alarm goes off... twice. Flat battery perhaps? I finally jump start it, limp to mates house, stick on trickle charge. Sleep. In morning battery is still taking charge so a trip to Halfords later and a new 092 battery replaces the 067 (??) one I had. Voltmeter reads dead on 12, I check water and oil and decide to chance the 260 miles home. 4) Less than 10 miles from home and as I filter onto the M23 I clog it past a few cars and am rewarded with a rake of warning lights, specifically: PSM Info, PSM Warning, Brake Fluid, ABS, Battery Charge. Oil pressure and water temp are still fine so I decide to limp the last few miles home. Stick it on charge and 7 hours later the battery is still taking a charge. Car starts on the button but warning lights as above still persist. So, any useful comments on the above? I suspected the alternator at first and thought local 3-man MOT garage could fix it but with all the warning lights I am now thinking it might need a more thorough and specialist approach? Would you even consider driving the car 3 miles round the corner to Parrs in Crawley to get it looked at? and whats the opinion on them? Any comments on Burgess Hill OPC? as they are closest 'official' place. Sorry for wall of text and thanks in advance for your help.

If you dont have a warranty, I would suggest taking it Parr if they are 3miles away. From what I read on here, they are quite well respected, but I have no personal experience. Take it there cos they are close, to be honest! Save yourself as much hassle as possible. Don't take it to the local 3-man MOT place. Why not ask Parr to just diagnose the problem at first. If its a biggy and something the OPC should have fixed at servicing, then you may be able to take it up with the OPC and Porsche GB. If its a small one, then the quickest, simplest and easiest route would be to let Parr fix it. Edited to say - car electrics are not great, and Porsche do not excel in this area (we forgive them everytime we put our foot down or take a corner on track at 60). Don't worry for now, you aren't the only person who has had some electric teething issues. I am sure Parr will sort you out, and then you can enjoy the amazing beast you have bought.

Sounds like the alternator has given up. ABS warning light, PSM lights up etc start lighting up and shutting down. Alarm goes off, windows start working themselves.... battery takes charge on a trickle charger. If you don't have warranty take it to a good indy. Had mine replaced recently.

Exactly how mine behaved when my alternator went. Driving along with the alarm going off got me a few funny looks

hi, Amazing as I had a very similar experienced just 4 weeks ago with my new 2003 996 C2. went through a new battery in 1 day and all sorts of warning signals come on due to the lack of power from the battery. , PSM failure etc (just like you the volt meter registered at 12 dead before running out after a day) Had the AA out and diagnosed it as most likely a faulty alternator, and low and behold a day later had it replaced at a local garage and now running beautifully. how old is your car? supposedly it is not uncommon for them to fail around the 5 year mark. Hope it gets sorted and im sure its the same fault as mine.

thanks for replies guys - seems its not as terminal as I feared it might have been. Will pootle round to Parr tomorrow first thing and expect a new alternator. Assuming that original porsche parts are used, the fact that a specialist has fitted a new alternator is not going to affect me being able to get a OPC Warranty is it?

It won't affect it at all if they use genuine Porsche parts although I suspect the same Bosche part would be a lot less expensive.

Very helpful James at Parr in Crawley confirmed that alternator delivering zero charge; original porsche replacement part fitted is not much change out of 4 and a half hundred quid will not affect getting a warranty. Disastor avoided; just a little dent to pride and wallet.

I am glad it's nothing serious!!

Thanks for this post! My 2002 996 C2 just gave me exactly the same symptoms this morning so I'm guessing have the same problem. Luckily I have warranty so will ensure they check the alternator and replace if necessary. Great site and forum!!! Steve.