86 911 spiratic starting?

[RockinRonF]

Im haveing problems with my little 86 911 Carrara.
The other day it almost didnt start at the gas station after stopping the car. Engine turns over and its like when my distributor cap gets wet when it rains and it doesnt fire. But it did start after turning over but took a few times of turning the engin over until it caught and started.

Yesterday, I stopped somewhere and the car wouldnt start at all. Turns over. Not getting gas or electricity of something. Its very simular to when it rains hard and the Dist Cap gets moisture in it.
So I took of the Cap , everything LOOKED ok, i lighlty scrapped all the contacts and it still woulnt start. I waitted all day and tried again...No luck. I tried again the next morning and after several times turning over it caught and started. Car runs great after it starts. I brought it back to work and its starts no problem now. But I know the problem will come back and Ill be stranded.

Any Ideas on this?? I was thinking I need a distributor cap, rotor, plugs and wires.... Any thoughts ????

Thanks alot as always for all the tech help you guys have always givin me!!

[MGN54]

Could be Motronic relay under drivers seat. Black and square. I think it should click which you can feel with your hand when you turn the key on. I had to replace the one in my 88. Let us know what you discover.

Mark

[scottb]

DME relay. It's not a question of "if" they'll fail...only "when." Order two from our host. Install one, and keep the other as a spare in the glove box.

[RockinRonF]

I have more info. Car started and ran great all morning. Then went to lunch, came back out , car started, idled for 10 seconds and died. Just like you turned the key off. Car would not start. Finally after about 5 min, I got it to start again. Do you think it still sounds like to DME relay?? Where is that in the car??

[scottb]

Yes, it sounds like a faulty DME relay. It's under the driver's seat. It's not an expensive part (~$30). Our host sells them.

[Rot 911]

DME relay most probably. Look under driver's seat. You will see an aluminum box. Next to that you will see a small, square, black plastic box. That is the relay. Mine is held down by one screw. Remove screw. Pull off of connector, replace.

[rick-l]

Is the new version of the DME relay more reliable?

See picture at (the one with the dual Fujitsu relay)

Need DME relay education

Is this what Pelican sells

[RockinRonF]

As always, YOU GUYS WERE RIGHT AGAIN! I called my Porsche Mechanic to see if he could sell me the Relay. Instead, he gave me a "test" unit to keep in my car and when the car dies, to swap out the relay. Sure enough, after work, car would not start. Swapped out the relay and BOOM. Car started no problem and hasnt happened again. Im off to my mechanic to swap out the test unit for a real one. He quoted me $35.00 so I guess thats cool. You guys save dme money!! I was going to have the car towed to my mechanic. Thanks alot everyone for your input..

MGN and scottb, you were right on the money!!

[scottb]

I'm glad it worked out. Don't forget to buy a spare to put in the glovebox.

[MGN54]

Glad you found the answer and in Porsche terms, it's a relatively inexpensive fix.

Mark