HELP! Car won't start after brake job

polizei · 07-22-2007, 12:33 PM

I finished up a brake job on my 1987 911 Carrera, and my car won't start. The brake job included the installation of new rotors, pads, soft lines at all 4 wheels, hard lines on the fronts, as well as the rebuilding of all 4 calipers. I just finished bleeding the brakes, got my car off the jack stands, and tried to start it up. Power runs throughout the car (i can open/close the windows & sunroof, etc), but when I turn the key fully I get absolutely nothing - no clicks - nothing. The DME relay has recently been replaced as well. Does anybody have any ideas?

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

perhaps your dme relay wasn't faulty , but you have bad contacts in the socket where it fits.. try pulling , and putting it back a few times...

polizei · 07-22-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by svandamme
perhaps your dme relay wasn't faulty , but you have bad contacts in the socket where it fits.. try pulling , and putting it back a few times...

Still nothing

village idiot · village idiot's Garage

check all the easy stuff first, battery connections, is the battery fully charged, etc. You'd be surprised how often the simplest things trip you up.

rallyracer · 07-23-2007, 04:09 AM

check battery then starter then ignition switch. fuses first, then component, then power to component. maybe you disturbed a wire or ground strap doing the right rear brake hose?
david

polizei · 07-23-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rallyracer
check battery then starter then ignition switch. fuses first, then component, then power to component. maybe you disturbed a wire or ground strap doing the right rear brake hose?
david

This is all new territory for me, but I'll look into it as best as possible.

One odd thing I've noted is that the windows/sunroof work without the key in the ignition.

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

that's strange, since it shouldn't
did that work like that before?

could be your ignition/key switch or wiring that's on the fritz...

polizei · 07-23-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by svandamme
that's strange, since it shouldn't
did that work like that before?

could be your ignition/key switch or wiring that's on the fritz...

To the best of my recollection, no it didn't work that way before I performed the brake job.

CliffBrown · 07-23-2007, 08:30 AM

In addition to making sure the battery has 12.8 volts, check the battery terminals and the ground connections next to the battery and the tranny.

You might tap on the solenoid while someone else turns the key to the start position.

Start with the simple things first. Make very sure you have a fully charged battery.

rick-l · 07-23-2007, 08:39 AM

The only sure thing you can do is to put a voltmeter on the yellow wire at the starter, turn the switch and go from there.

On my 88 I had similar symptoms when I (unknowingly) knocked the round connector off by the headlight switch under the dash. The no start causing immediate panic.

polizei · 06:41 AM

I found the problem! I already had the driver's seat out to inspect the DME relay and the socket in which it connects, as svandamme advised. So I was lying down on my back staring at the wires underneath the steering column with my headlamp on when I noticed it. There are 3 larger cables which connect into 3 sockets, but 1 of the cables was completely disconnected and another only partially. I made sure all were secure, and then fired the motor right up! Rick, your last comment led me to staring at all those wires. Thanks for all your help guys. I'll post a picture of those wires tonight, and maybe someone can let me know what they are. Thanks again!