89 911 Carrera Coup - randomly will not engage starter

[Elton911]

I have a 1989 911 Carrera Coupe w/30k miles. It randomly will not start after turning the key; I will hear a click. However, 99% of the time when I recycle the key again it will start (rarely does it click twice). It will do this cold or hot.

My mechanic (w/nil Porsche experience) said he thought it was a solenoid. I called Pelican_Parts to order a solenoid, they said you can't buy just the solenoid, but it could be the "electric part of the starter", thus I purchase what they recommended. It appears to be an electrical plug

964-613-012-00-M100 Electrical Portion, Ignition Switch, 911/911 Turbo (1970-98), 944/968 All from 2/85, 928 (1978-95), 912E, 914-6

It looks like what's plugged in behind the key mechanism.

Can anyone offer any advice before I have my mechanic install this part; ie: if its more likely to be the starter or otherwise -- before I let him tear into it.

Thanks; any insight would be appreciated,

Elton

[ruf-porsche]

starter solenoid or bad ground

You can sometime find them on Ebay

[Elton911]

Originally posted by ruf-porsche
starter solenoid or bad ground

I'll have the gound checked first. If its the ground, where is this accessed; under the dash, in hood, etc.?

Assuming its not the ground, can I replace (purchase) just the solenoid, or must I get a new starter, as the PP rep implied?

Thanks!,

Elton

[ruf-porsche]

Ground strap between the engine/trans and the body underneath the car.

You can check the ground by connecting a set of jumper cables from the battery directly to the engine block, connect only the negative terminal.

If the starter engage without the usual click it probably the ground. If you still get the click its the starter solenoid, and the starter is a B!tch to remove even with a hoist.

go to ebay and do a search for Porsche solenoid.

[Elton911]

Thanks!; really appreciate your help.

Elton