Porsche’s Electrical System: Maintenance and Care
Most of your Porsche systems depend on electricity, which is generated by the alternator.
As time passes, natural wear and tear will cause worn or damaged components. Electrical problems reduce efficiency and can lead to more serious trouble if they’re not repaired. As your Porsche Center, we want you to know a few signs you need to visit us for an electrical system service.
Signs You Need an Electrical System Service at Your Porsche Center
Blown Fuses
Every electrical system in your Porsche has a fuse. These fuses are designed to protect their connected component from electrical shorts or surges. The fuse will absorb an incoming rogue charge and blow. This sacrifice protects the connected system from damage but also causes it to shut down until the fuse is replaced.
If you experience strange electrical failures, you could have one or more blown fuses. Our technicians will examine your electrical system and test the fuses. Replacing blown fuses is quick and inexpensive, and any shut-down systems will return to life immediately.
Failing Battery
The battery has two main functions: to supply the initial electrical charge that causes your engine to crank and to maintain the electrical system when the engine is switched off. Despite its importance, the battery is a very short-lived component, as the average life of a battery is three to five years. Their short life is due to the gradual breakdown of the chemicals inside the battery, and this breakdown reduces the battery’s electricity storage capacity.
A failing battery is easy to identify, as a range of odd electrical issues almost always precede battery failure. Slow accessories, dim interior lights, and starting difficulties can all point to a battery issue. A battery can also be healthy but suffers issues due to damaged battery cables or a weak alternator. Our technicians will test your battery and either replace it or fix the cause of the battery’s weakness.
Damaged Rectifier
As we saw above, the alternator is a mini electrical generator. It produces electricity by spinning at high speed to generate magnetic energy. This energy is captured by the stator and converted to AC and finally converted by the rectifier to the DC power your Porsche systems require. The rectifier is a simple component, but it can wear out, and this will cause serious trouble.
A failed rectifier prevents electricity conversion, and without this conversion, your electrical system will rapidly shut down. The battery will take over and supply your vehicle’s electricity demands, but it will drain completely in less than an hour. Our technicians will replace the failed rectifier, and your electrical system will produce usable power again.
If you have an electrical problem, visit us today at Porsche Tysons Corner in Vienna, VA.