100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo

Back

MonaRi

991 Battery Blues: Porsche Starting & Electrical Woes

Engine hard to start

Dim or flickering lights

Weak battery when starting the engine

Hey everyone, I'm having some trouble with my 2019 Porsche 991 (76k km) and getting a bit anxious after a previous bad workshop experience. The car's being really stubborn to start, and when it does, it feels like the battery's struggling. Also noticed the lights are dimmer than usual and sometimes flicker. Initially thought it might be an engine control issue. Has anyone faced something similar with their 991? Would love to hear about your experiences and maybe get some recommendations for a reliable mechanic who knows their way around Porsches. Thanks in advance!

4 comment(s)


MatthiasSomm

Hey there! Had a similar issue with my 2016 Porsche Cayman S last winter. The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I experienced, sluggish starts, dim lights, and general electrical weirdness. Took it to my trusted Porsche specialist, and it turned out to be more than just a dying battery. The alternator wasn't charging properly, which was slowly killing the battery too. They had to replace both the alternator and battery to get everything back to normal. It wasn't just a quick fix, took them about a day and a half to sort everything out, but it was definitely worth getting it done properly. The main red flag was when they tested the charging system, the voltage was way below spec while running. If you're getting similar symptoms, I'd strongly recommend getting it checked out soon. These issues usually don't fix themselves and can leave you stranded if ignored. Make sure wherever you take it has proper diagnostic tools for Porsche, that's crucial for getting an accurate read on the electrical system.

MonaRi (Author)

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who went through something similar. My symptoms do sound pretty much identical to what you had. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much the whole repair set you back? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other electrical gremlins pop up? Just trying to get a sense of what I might be in for and if I should budget for anything else. Cheers!

MatthiasSomm

Hey again! Happy to give you an update. I actually just got my car back from the mechanic, and I've got some good news! The engine control issue I mentioned before is completely sorted now. Turns out it was mainly a battery voltage problem, the system was running way too low, which was causing all those annoying symptoms. The total bill came to 290€ for the fix, which honestly wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Since getting it back, my Cayman's been running like a dream, starting up instantly, lights are nice and bright, and all those electrical gremlins have completely disappeared. It's like having a different car! Haven't had a single issue pop up since the repair, which was about three months ago now. So yeah, if your symptoms are similar to what I had, you might be looking at something in that price range. Of course, prices might vary depending on your location and specific workshop, but at least it gives you a ballpark figure to work with. Just make sure you get it sorted sooner rather than later, these things can snowball if you leave them too long. Let me know how you get on!

MonaRi (Author)

Thanks! I actually just got back from the mechanic, and you won't believe it, my situation was nearly identical to yours! Had to get both the alternator and battery replaced. The whole thing cost me around 350€, a bit more than yours but still reasonable considering it's a Porsche. The funny part was when I first drove in, the car barely made it to the shop! The mechanic was super professional though. He hooked it up to their diagnostic system right away and spotted the issue within minutes. Took them about 4 hours to fix everything up. Now the car's running like a champ again, starts up instantly, lights are bright as day, and all those weird electrical issues are gone. Such a relief! Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped me feel much more confident about getting it sorted. Think I'll stick with this mechanic for future services too. He really knew his stuff and didn't try to upsell me on anything unnecessary. Anyway, thanks again for the help! Case closed on this one.

Let our mechanics help you!

Want to find out more about your car?

Get the Carly Scanner and the app now

Check current offers
Mobile and adapter showcase
Car Brands
carly-logo

© 2024 Carly Solutions GmbH & Co. KG. All rights reserved