Another ignition computer question
 

My mechanic says the computer needs to be repaired because there's 5 V coming off a lug that should be ground. He says there's two places to get it repaired (both out of state for me) and the cost is around $250. It's an '87 911. Should I have him send it off to get repaired or is it something that I could do myself?

Is there no one who has had the computer rebuilt? I need to make a decision by Sunday night.

Call Pelican Parts and have it tested before potentially wasting money.
Tom Gould at Pelican has many sources for rebuilt parts and parts
testing.

Thanks Loren, I'll give them a call first thing Monday morning.

Curious what your symtoms where that caused you to take it to your mechanic. I have the same car and any heads up on troubleshooting problems would be appreciated.

Here are some threads that discuss DME inspection and repair:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=760936&s ortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

I recommend removal of the old solder with 'solder sucker' and application of new copper or silver-bearing solder to suspect joints ... with a 20 Watt soldering iron. Please observe the normal grounding precautions when dealing with static-sensitive circuit boards!!!

Brian,
The symptoms are that I climbed into the car one day (about 6 weeks ago), turned the key, and the engine just cranked over and over without starting. After a few preliminary tests it was obvious that it wasn't getting any gas. I am currently working a full time job *and* pastoring a start-up church so I have zero time for playing with the p-car.
The mechanic did a series of checks and determined that one of the sensors was bad so he replaced it and I got the car back for 3 days before it did the same thing. The mechanic and I talked and even though the other sensors were reading good voltages, two of them were physically broken and taped back together by the PO so I had him replace those as a precaution.
He found that the TDC sensor voltage was very low so he replaced it and readjusted the air gap. Finally, the engine started up again and he ran it for several days. Meanwhile, I also had him put a set of Bridgstone S03's on which he did at 40% off list because his supplier wanted to get rid of them.
Finally having my car back after about 4 weeks (and $1000.00), I was delighted and drove it home with visions of cruising around for the remainder of the summer (when I'm not working.)
The next day I had taken my wife to the grocery store, had just started the car to leave the parking lot and, while she was putting the shopping cart away the enging just died and wouldn't start. So I had it towed for a third time to my mechanic who happens to be about 20 miles away.
This time, after we talked about it for a bit, he delved further into the problem and found that one of the lugs on the computer which should read 0 volts (ground, or 'earth' for those of you who are from the other side of the pond:) ) but it read +5V instead.
That brings us up to the present and it has been 6 weeks since this first occurred.

I just wanna drive my car again!!!:mad:

Warren,
Thanks for the link! I'm still pretty new to Porsches and didn't know it was called a DME or I probably would have found these threads myself. I'm getting in touch with Loren to see if he can help out.

I talked to Loren B this morning, then to my mechanic, then had my mechanic talk to Loren. It appeard that the DME is definitaly the culprit. The mechanic is shipping it out this morning and I should have my car back by the end of the week.

Thanks to all for your ideas and links. This board is great!
:)

A pastor w/a Porsche. Gotta love it!

Amen

Pastors have to drive to work too. Might as well enjoy it!

The revvin' reverend