Random dead ignition
 

I’ve had a very infrequent random situation with my 76 911 targa where I get in, turn the key to start the car and everything is stone dead. After a couple of cycles of repressing in the clutch and turning the key the car will start perfectly.
This happens pretty infrequently and is a minor annoyance but I’m worried I may get stranded sometime in the future when it won’t start.
When it does this and the key is turned to the start position, everything is dead; no lights or gauges.
Anyone got any ideas what my problem might be? I’m thinking of replacing the ignition switch but I don’t want to replace a fairly expensive part and need new keys unless I’m sure of the problem.



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Clean the battery clamps and posts, check that the battery ground to the body is clean and tight and be sure the red wires on the positive clamp are tight.

You can easily rekey a new ignition, but just don't start throwing parts at it +1 on Johns recommendation, I just fixed a buddies Silverado after being in the shop for a week with similiar no power, no start issue. Shop said they could find nothing wrong, turns out it had a couple bad grounds and bad neg battery cable. Grounds are often overlooked.

Thanks gents



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It's just what my '88 was doing before I installed a new ground strap (under the car from body to transaxle). After the installation, not one failed crank.

Could this be the issue?
https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/348306-ignition-switch-inside-fix-start-lockout.html

I’m finally getting to the point where I have a bit of free time to check all of the grounds on my 76 911.
I’m planning on cleaning the terminals as well as the grounding spots and adding a light coat of dialectic grease to make it a long term fix.
I can’t seem to find the location of the engine to body ground on the left front of the engine bay (according to information I’ve dug up); supposed to be under the fuel filter but it definitely is not there on mine.
Can anyone describe or post a photo of where the ground strap should be in the engine bay in a 1976?


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I think you're looking in the wrong place. The ground strap connects the nose of the transmission to the body. Look under the car near the firewall, where the trailing arms mount to the body.

I had the same problem with my car. Turned out to be one of the connectors under the dash that connects the wires through to the trunk.

Once I figured it out all I had to do was reach under the dash and hit the connector.

Ultimately I cleaned all the contacts and have no trouble since.

To the OP: I've PM'd a reply to your message. Hope it's just the ground strap that's the problem.