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car won't start - rain?
Had to drive my car (86 911 3.2) into work today (17 miles) to get it out of the garage (work on the house). It is raining cats and dogs and I hit quite a few puddles on the final stretch before parking in an enclosed garage. Just after I turned it off I decided to restart and move to another spot...
The starter made a feeble move then nothing. Wipers were on and slowed to a stop while trying the starter. I never saw an alternator light, but I am guessing it must not be charging unless there is something that could have gotten wet and caused this problem. So how do I check if the alternator is bad? I have a multi-meter with me in the car. Any instructions for jump starting it available on the web? Any suggestions or advice will be appreciated... Ted |
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10-25-2005, 03:30 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
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Just a guess, but a loose wet belt that's slipping?
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Cory H 85 Carrera |
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10-25-2005, 03:49 AM
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What belt would it be if the starter doesn't turn over the engine?
I just went back to the car and tried again thinking that if it didn't start I would pull the battery and get it recharged at a nearby station. After a slight hesitation, the starter turned over the motor and it started right up. So I think I will be able to make it home (as the car will dry off in the garage) but I will obviously need to find the real culprit. Additional clues now are that whatever the problem is, it seems to remedy itself after the hot engine sits for a short while (~2hours in this first test). |
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10-25-2005, 04:17 AM
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I've had similar problems with mine - and I've purchased new plug wires, thinking that this could be the problem, but this weekend, while starting a valve adjustment, the alternator belt started to slip while turning the fan pulley - which would obviously be made worse by water - does your car start and run hard and then die? - I'm by no means an expert at trouble shooting, I'm sure some more experienced hands will chime in once they've digested some more coffee.
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Cory H 85 Carrera |
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10-25-2005, 04:26 AM
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I have had bad wires before on a honda, but the symptoms in the 911 were different. Basically it was;
Turn ignition key to start - wipers slowed to a stop. - no sign of engine turnover Since I could start it after it dried out, at this point my guess is that somewhere a wire got wet and was shorting so that the starter never got any juice. Since the wipers also slowed I thought the battery may be weak to dead, but since it started again later when dry, a short seems the most likely. I just hope it doesn't catch fire or something next time I try to start it... |
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10-25-2005, 04:35 AM
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GFCC
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,785
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Tedder, Have you checked the battery voltage? Should be around 12 volts DC. If you can get it started or get it to run after jump starting, (with the jumper cables removed) you can check your alternator as follows...
With the car running put the corresponding leads of your muti meter, set to DC volts, on the battery. Have a friend hold the RPMs to 1500 and see what voltage you are getting. It should be between 13.5 - 14.2. Low means you are not charging. Could be a ground or a bad alternator. High means your voltage regulator is not functioning correctly and you are cooking your battery. This is an easy fix. If you are charging within specs, have the battery tested. It may no longer be able to hold a charge.
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Jeff 1976 911 Coupe w/ Euro 3.0 - Sold 1987 Carrera Coupe - Sold 1999 Carrera Cabriolet - Current |
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10-25-2005, 07:15 AM
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