Porsche 997 Electrical Gremlins: Battery or Sensor Issue?

Hey there, I actually dealt with similar issues on my 2013 Porsche Cayman S last winter. Started with flickering lights and slow starts, which I initially thought was just a dying battery. Turned out the battery sensor microprocessor was faulty, causing incorrect readings and messing with the charging system. Got it fixed at my Porsche specialist, it was more than just swapping parts. They had to reprogram the new sensor to communicate properly with the car's systems. Not a super common issue, but definitely something you want sorted by someone who knows these cars well. Mine took about a day and a half to diagnose and fix completely. While it's not the most serious electrical issue you could have, it's definitely not something you want to ignore, it can lead to battery drain and potentially leave you stranded. Most qualified Porsche techs should be able to diagnose this pretty quickly with the right diagnostic tools. Hope this helps!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! That's really helpful and sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Good to know it might be the sensor rather than just the battery itself. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much the repair set you back? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks?

Hey again! Happy to give you an update! Since getting my Cayman S fixed last winter, it's been running like a dream, no more electrical gremlins at all! The battery sensor replacement sorted out all those annoying symptoms completely. I can finally start my car without crossing my fingers, lol. The total bill came to 315€, which included the new sensor microprocessor, programming, and labor. While it wasn't exactly cheap, it was totally worth it to have the peace of mind. My mechanic said these sensors can be quite tricky on Porsches, so getting it done right the first time is crucial. Haven't had a single issue since, no more flickering lights, no weak starts, nothing. The car's electrical system is working exactly as it should now. I'd definitely recommend getting yours checked out sooner rather than later. These issues tend to get worse if you leave them too long. Let me know if you need anything else! Always happy to help out a fellow Porsche owner.

Thanks again for all the detailed info! Just wanted to update you on what happened with my 997. Took it to a Porsche specialist yesterday, you were spot on about the battery sensor! They diagnosed it pretty quickly and got everything sorted. Bill came to about 340€, so pretty close to what you paid. The mechanic was great, really knew his stuff and explained everything clearly. Took about a day to get the part and fix it all up. The car's running perfectly now, no more flickering lights or struggling starts. Such a relief! Definitely glad I didn't wait any longer to get it checked out. Really appreciate everyone's help pointing me in the right direction. Always good to know there are other Porsche owners out there willing to share their experiences!