Hi guys!
So, I've been battling a starting issue for a few months. Below, I'll explain everything I've done; however, here is the latest update on my current status... I thought I had it fixed, drove it a few times, and the last time, there was a bit of hesitation (as in, power was on but no starter click for a 1/2 second or so, then it kicked off) when starting as I was leaving my previous errand. When I got home, I realized I hadn't pulled into the garage far enough and couldn't get it to start. I pulled out my phone and captured this video, mainly to capture the sound. This is the first time it sounded like it just couldn't turn the engine over. I'm glad I caught this video because that is the last time the engine seemed to turn. Power is still available, battery is good, starter clicks, etc., but the engine won't turn over. Do you have any ideas from the sound in this video?
I uploaded the video to YouTube:
https://youtu.be/MBOs013XwD8
Here is the more extended version of what I have done...
A few months ago, my original style (incredibly heavy) battery died. I replaced it with the Odyssey light-weight AGM in the Rennline battery holder kit. At some point after that, occasionally, it would hesitate a 1/2 second or so before starting - no sound, no clicking, just nothing for the briefest moment before it would start up, and I would be off. I didn't think that much about it, but I guess I should have. On a drive with the local Porsche club, it would start after our rest break. Turn the key; power would come on, but no clicking at the starter, etc. We were able to push-start it and get it home. It seemed pretty cut and dry to me to be a starter issue, so I replaced the starter. After that, the problem was intermittent; sometimes it would start, sometimes it wouldn't. That led me to think maybe I had an issue with the ignition switch. I replaced the electrical part of the ignition switch. Again same problem. Okay, seems to be electrical somewhere else. I really cleaned up the ground connection for the transmission to the chassis and also put a battery monitor on. The battery is good, when running charging is good, but it did show that I had a low cranking voltage. Again, points to maybe something in the wiring. I put a hard start relay in, which was my last fix. The battery monitor still showed a low cranking voltage, but it started and I drove it several times, then what I described above. At one point I did trace the ignition signal from the ignition switch to pin 1 of the 11 pin connector in the driver side of the engine bay and then from there to the solenoid, which all seemed good.
The only idea I have at this point is some weird grounding issue, maybe one of the grounds on the driver side of the engine bay.
Do any of you have any other suggestions?