I left my car unused for almost 30 days and I went out yesterday to start it the battery was dead. I jump started it and took it out for a drive (about 45 miles - 30 minutes) and when I got home started it one more time. It hesitated but started. I left it overnight then tried to start it again today and it wouldn't start. I'm wondering if I'm going to need a new battery or will a charge get it useable again. Where can I get a battery maintainer? I never planned on letting it sit so long but a combination of new baby, bad weather and too many cars in my driveway have left me unable to drive it for a couple of weeks at a time.

If a charger is all that is needed any recommendations?

 

A good battery should last for 1 - 2 months without draining completely. I suspect that yours is old and getting deleted. When a battery is fully discharged, it will never reach maximum storage again. You can pickup a new one at any discount place such as Sam's or Costco for around $50. You need a size 48 battery.

Obviously, it could be a short that is a drain on the system, but might as well go for the most likely fix, and that is a new battery.

 

You can try taking the battery out and charging it, it worked for me If it still doesn't stay alive just buy a new one and get the Porsche battery maintainer from Suncoast. They sell the older one for $55 and the newer one with more indicator lights for $120. It's worth the investment.

 

get a battery tender. it's sold at auto supply stores. they sell versions that charge thru cig lighter too at some stores.

 

Not sure why but I always had issues with the battery in my 996. Once I bought a new non Porsche battery I never had a problem again.

I was told by the dealer that you cannot go more than 3 days without driving at least 30 minutes or you will drain the battery...I am not making it up...they actually told me that!

 

Well I wound up purchasing a new battery today and installed it. Of course I had to enter the radio code to get the radio to work and it just figures that I can't find the stupid card. I know I took it out of the car when I first bought it and I put it in such a safe place that now I can't find it. I read somewhere that you might be able to get it from the service manual or from the sticker on the underside of the hood. I pulled out my service manual and I looked at the sticker but couldn't identify any four digit codes so I'm not sure what to enter. Any ideas where I might find this information?

If nothing I'll try to call the dealer where the car was purchased (I'm the second owner) and see if they will give the information to me. Is there another way to obtain the radio's serial number without having the card?

And yes I will be purchasing a battery tender.

 

Just talk to your local dealer to get the code.

 

I called Manhattan Motor Cars (where the car was originally purchased) and although I didn't buy the car from them (I am the second owner) the service department was very helpful. They provided the code that they had on file after I provided them with part of the VIN.

This is the second time they have made a concerted effort to help me even though I'm technically not their customer. When I was thinking of buying the car I called them and asked them to send me all of the service records they had for the car. They faxed them to me in about 30 minutes after redacting the previous owner's information.

Unfortunately I entered the wrong code last night and I'll have to wait 60 minutes for it to clear.

Thanks for all the suggestions.