Starting problems finally solved

[stormcrow]

For the past year now, I have been having issues with my P-car not wanting to start all the time.

First issue was it would not start after it had warmed up and sat for awhile. It would cold start fine. After you would run it for awhile, turn the key off and let it set for about a hour or so, it would refuse to start. The engine would turn over but no fire. Eventually it would start but not without constantly turning the engine over.

Checked pressures on the CIS and everything checked out ok. Did a leak down test and found that the pressure would drop to zero after about five minutes. Checked the accumulator and it checked out ok. Isolated the the fuel distributor from the pressure regulator - everything ok.

What I found out was that the fuel accumulator had a tiny leak in it which was eventually the culprut. Replaced it and the problem solved.

Next issue was the starter. Never had problems with it until recently. It would turn over some times, other times it would not. Checked and replaced the selenoid still no luck. Removed the starter, disassembled it , checked the brushes, commentator and windings - everything checked out ok.

What I eventually found was the positive terminal was corroded but not obvious to the eye. Picked up a replacement, cut the old one off and replaced it. Problem solved.

Just want to pass this info on to those of you who are having starting/starter issues.

Steve

"A Porsche does more then just go fast in a straight line"

[Joeaksa]

Steve,

Good info. Dont you just love things like pinhole leaks and corrosion that is not visable to the eye until you start probling! Really gets down to the nitty gritty!

In the future you might want to put your year and model 911 on your profile so that others have a better idea what year these tips work on!

JoeA

[oneblueyedog]

I'm going to try this!

[Wil Ferch]

you say....

"positive terminal was corroded but not obvious to the eye. Picked up a replacement, cut the old one off and replaced it. Problem solved."

Any details? Does this mean you spliced the connection? I gather it's a long hard path to replace the entire positive lead in one piece, correct?

-- Wil

[stormcrow]

Sorry about not posting the P-Car 78 SC Targa. No Wil, I just replaced the terminal at the battery. Left the remaining wire in place. When I cut off the old terminal, I inspected the strands of wire and they looked clean - not corroded.

Took the P-car out for a long drive running erands yesterday and never had a proble starting it altought I did park it where I could coast it to a start if I had to.

As far as the terminal replacement goes, I went to autozone and picked up a (don't laugh) gold plated replacement. The reason being is I have three wires coming off the battery and this particular terminal had three holes - one for the main terman wire to the starter, the other two for power to the othe components. The nice thing about this one is that it has hex lugs to lock in the wires to the terminal rather then the typical strap on top.

Steve

"A Porsche does more then just go fast in a straight line"