I have an 01 with 16k miles, and suddenly it won't turn over. It's been cold as hell here, and it hasn't been out much. I noticed the last couple of times I took it out, it took a little bit longer to fire up, and now, it turns over 1 time and then just goes click, click, click, click click, click.

Could a three year old battery be the problem?

 

The battery would be the first thing I would investigate.

 

3 years seems about right for a bad battery. They do not last forever and should be replaced every few years IMO.

 

Would this also be the time to replace the plugs? Or did they do that at the 15k service?

 

I keep my car on the porsche battery tender whenever it's
at home. It keeps the battery healthy. I have no problems
with the original battery (May '00). (Just watch me jinx it).
When it goes, I'll get one of those lighter-weight dry
batteries.
Joe

 

Maxwell.
My car's battery also took a dump at around 16k miles...It sounds like the battery..I would also buy the Porsche lighter plug in battery charger...It help keep the battery fully charged...I just went thru a hesitation problem caused by old spark plugs..I would change them while your car is in the shop...The 01 cars used the Beru FR5 and the updated ones are the Beru FR6....It will need to be done... why wait? ....TTech

 

TTech,

The 2001's used the #6. The 2002's and later used the #5. The higher number is the hotter plug. The lower number is the cooler plug.

 

cool, thanks guys. I'm hoping that's all it is.

 

I went through a battery and find that the car starts up even in the cold with the battery maintainer.

 

My 01 X5 did the same yesterday and its cold in here. I guess I have to replace mine too

 

That sounds like your battery doesn't have enough to fire her up. Just charge it a bit and then get a replacement.

 

A battery maintainer will not prevent a battery from going bad... all it will do is mask it. I always keep mine on a battery maintainer when not in use. I took it out for a few days and each time I cranked her up it would get weaker till the battery would not even turn her over. This took about 3 days of regular use. Also remember that regular use of a battery maintainer will boil away the water quicker, be sure to check and top off with distilled water.

 

Definatly the battery.

 

If you drive the car regularly or use a battery maintainer it will be covered under warranty. If the car sits a lot they will probably not warranty it.

 

Does your dealer also cover brake pads, clutches, tires and windshield wipers? Your battery is not covered by warranty after a lengthy time. I believe it's two years for batteries.