2009 Porsche Carrera S (launch) ~24,000 miles; pdk

Wouldn't start. Turned ignition and all lights on dash (even passenger air-bag light) flash while car makes the "tkk tkk tkk" noise. After a few more attempts, car starts & I get an "Emergency transmission service" mesage. The car drives, but couldn't get passed 2nd gear.

Called Service and they thought that since the car "started" it should recover, although I could try shutting it down and restarting. Had 2 small children in car, short distance to drive (about 30 mph speed limit) and didn't want to risk getting stuck, so I drive on my way home thinking I could restart it after getting them into an air-conditioned home.

From a stop, car won't reach 2nd gear. Thankfully, near a parking lot, so I pull off. Car won't go in reverse. Engine now revs without catching. I turn off car, wait and try restarting (about 3-5 minutes). Nothing.

Get the kids french fries and arrange alternate transportation. About 20 min later, I'm telling Roadside assistance the VIN, try the car a few more times and it starts up WITHOUT the big red ! warning. Car drives home.

Haven't had a chance to start the car again, but I think it is the battery. I'm hoping to get a place to test it. If it turns out to be the battery, what have y'all done? Service said the battery isn't under the warranty and Porsche batteries are ~$450. I could go a Pep Boys/Checker/etc. route, but Service said that they may still need to reset my CPU (at a cost of $60-80) or so.

If it isn't the battery, any experience as to what may have happened?

Thanks.

 

Sounds like a battery.

I just bought a new battery for my Boxster at a dealer and didn't pay anywhere near $450. I think the battery was $150 or thereabouts and the SM had a tech install it for $50. And the tech had to jump start the car for it would not start after I parked it at the dealer after driving it from my house where the car would barely start.

There could be some computer diagnostics time required to clear some low power codes in the ECU or other controllers (PDK and since the PDK was acting up...) arising from the bad battery.

I am not that current on the newer models so I can't say for sure.

If the car is in for a new battery I might just go ahead and sign off on a $60/$80 ECU reset. Given the labor rate at my favorite/handy dealer is $150/hour $60/$80 is not that much money.

Sincerely,

Macster.

 

If your car has PDK trans., you should have the dealer look into the limp-mode/emergency run issue. That is usually cured with software updates. If the dealer is charging 450 for battery, it should include any reset of faults due to low battery. Are they recommending an AGM battery? Those are more expensive than standard lead acid types.

 

Thank you for the replies. I am not opposed to going through the dealer, although $450 seems a bit high... for a battery (no brand was mentioned). I'm hoping I misheard service. I'm going to be calling them back during business hours and try to bring the car to get checked out.

 

Update: Had the same problem this morning where it took a bit to get the car started. Took it to the dealership without being able to get past 2nd gear. Dealership quoted me about ~400 for a new battery and dropped me at work.

Service called a few hours later, replaced the battery, washed it and said the battery was replaced at no cost to me. NICE!

 

Hi All,

I just got my first Porsche 911 - 2010 C4S CPO 3 weeks ago with 14000 miles. Today, my car won't start. Called the road service, they charged the battery. It worked, but What a disappointment!!!

I am taking the car back to the dealer demanding they do the CPO process over - I also had an emergency Transmission fault message - they replace a heat sensor for that last week.

This has not been my dream car say the least.

What else should I ask them to look re: battery issue -why? It only had 14,000 miles. Again, This is my first Porsche (I had 4 Bimmers before I took the plunge to purchase my first Porsche - reliable 2010 977). I am so disappointed.

Anything else I should demand them to do re: CPO? I reviewed the checklist, but now I can help wonder they truly did the CPO or not? I could I verify?

Very disappointed first timer ...

 

I had all the same problems. A new battery and the problems disappeared. 2009 c2s

 

I had the same thing happened to me and it was a bad battery. I purchased the Maxx H7 ($137) from Walmart and is working like a charm. I only need to reset the airbag light. Good luck!!

 

Well, I think you are overreacting some but it is understandable. Not a good start to your Porsche ownership.

A CPO doesn't mean that nothing will go wrong with the car only that the car meets certain minimum standards. The battery probably checked out ok when the CPO was done but died shortly thereafter. Batteries (even new ones) can die rather quickly and they often do not give much warning. A new owner many not recognize the slow starting is not normal.

With 14K miles there's probably nothing near wearing out or in need of replacement. The car might be due for a brake fluid flush/bleed but beyond that...I assume the oil/filter service is not due...

You can ask the CPO be done again but I'm not sure what that will buy you even if the dealer agrees to do it which it probably won't.

 

Asking to redo the CPO insp is not reasonable, its a battery and they die. Whats the big deal? Tell me you know before your watch battery dies or your TV remote.....I don't think so. Get over it!

 

This can even happen with a new car. I got my 2009 C4 brand new (but had been sitting on their lot for 6 months). First thing that happens during delivery is that all the lights flash and the tkk tkk tkk noise happens when the key was turned. The delivery guy tells me "your'e going to need a jump" and then leaves! slightly irked since I paid for the transport and they sent me a car with a dead battery.

Since I knew it was new, I bought a battery tender/charger and after the charge, everything worked like it was supposed to. Get a battery tender -- roadside assist just gave you enough juice to get going again!

 

2009?
4 year old car with 24 k on it. Very low use which why I assume you bought it.
Unless car was on a battery minder all the time, your lucky it lasted this long.
Typical like is 5-7 years with normal cars.

 

Has a similar thing happen to me ( less drama as I have a manual and noted it at home)
Spoke to dealer. They gave me 40 reasons why they would not replace it under warranty.
1-Drive less than 12 or 21 some miles a day, I do not remember the number precisely.
2-Did not buy the car from us
3-Batteries not covered as they are tear and wear.

As the car was under warranty I had them get an OEM battery (fill it with acid and charge it) yes :-)
Picked it up at tail end of day using my daily driver. Went home, hopped into the frunk and installed it in 10 minutes. Took a couple of minutes to self-clear some of the codes (abs and TPMS messages) and since then (one year later) no issues.
Good luck with yours, I think , and hope, just low voltage bug!

 

Thanks for words of wisdom - especially, " Get over it - it's only a battery!" I needed it that whip!

That being said, yes I was emotional - I guess I have to take the bad with good; like my first born. As always, a full enjoyment.

Again, thanks for all your thoughts.

Wish me luck when I take it to service on Wednesday - we'll let you know the outcome.

 

Keep us posted. Good luck!