Frustrating Starting Problem

fishologist · 02-22-2008, 05:27 PM

Ok - need some help. 2.2L w/ webers

After driving for 30 mins or so the past few times, I would park the car. Upon trying to restart, nothing would happen - nothing. No fuel pump whine, will not crank - nothing. Lights work and radio comes on but no ususal noises. Thought it might be the battery because I put the charger on and after a few mins it would crank up.

Four days ago, I drove around, parked it, started it again, pulled into the garage and now same thing. Charging the battery does nothing now. Had the battery checked and its good.

So turn the key to start - no fuel pump, no cranking - nothing. All lights come on but when cranked, headlights go out. Battery is good.

Ideas?

frank edwards · 02-22-2008, 05:38 PM

maybe your battry clamps are worn and dirty,try making sure they are perfectly clean and that the clamp does clamp the post and is not worn out,hope this helps good luck,frank

fishologist · 02-22-2008, 05:45 PM

Thought about that - cleaned them and checked them when I had the battery tested - all is well.

911pcars · 02-22-2008, 10:39 PM

Check the ground strap under the car by the gearbox mount. A bad strap here will create resistance in the starter circuit.

Have you also checked the battery ground strap?

Lights go dim/out when cranked? That's a sign the battery is circuit is okay. How was the battery "checked"?

Sherwood

fishologist · 02-23-2008, 04:50 AM

Thanks - I'll check the grounds. Took the battery to the auto parts store - tested on the computerized tester.

911K · 911K's Garage

It could be the electrical portion of the ignition switch. Try jiggling the key around while in the first position and see if you hear the fuel pump. If so, get a new switch.

fishologist · 02-23-2008, 01:29 PM

OK - I checked the ground straps (battery and transmission) and they were good. I turned the ignition on and jiggled the electronic part of the ignition switch for a few mins, all directions, and nothing changed.

Any other ideas besides having it towed to my mechanic?

911pcars · 02-23-2008, 02:00 PM

Taken each circuit separately, I could provide a guesstimate. Overall, I'm initially stumped.

It could be a faulty starter solenoid circuit, but the fuel pump operates off of the ignition switch, yes? Headlights dim when cranking so that indicates a normal voltage drop in the system when the starter motor is energized. Current could be flowing into a dead starter.

That still doesn't explain the dead fuel pump unless it's energized upon engine running. What year is your 911? Maybe that's it. CIS system? If so, the fuel pump doesn't energize until engine is ON. However, I'm an early guy. Can someone confirm?

If so, I'll rule out the fuel pump as a hint and suspect a faulty starter motor. Have you tried a push start?

Sherwood

fishologist · 02-23-2008, 03:30 PM

The fuel pump does run off of the ignition switch because previously the best starting method would be to turn the ignition to position 1, let the pump prime, pump the gas pedal a few times and then turn the key to position 2 to initiate the starter. The car is a '74 but has a '70 2.2L with Webers. Its a Frankenstein car of sorts so who knows whats been done by the POs. It could be that the electronic ignition plug just failed completely and I need a new one. I have not tried a push start but I suspect that it wouldn't work because of the non-working fuel pump. I guess the next step is a tow truck and a trip to the shop!

Thx for the help!

carsngolf · carsngolf's Garage

My current '65 and previous '68 both suffered from a lack of response to the key start after long drives. I suggest removing the starter wire from the back of the ignition switch and shorting it directly to a live wire. If the starter kicks in, that's your problem. It worked on my '68. I then mounted a momentary switch under the dashboard to entirely bypass the ignition and had no more problems.

Good luck.

fritzgator · fritzgator's Garage

I'm currently having the same issue w/ my 83SC. sometimes it's fine and fires right up and sometimes i get the RUH,RUH,RUH... nothing! checked grounds, changed batt ground strap as the old one was altered for more length to reach the smaller than stock optima, which i also took in to be tested(fine 1000cranking amps). I think it is the solenoid, as i had the same situation on my old harley in the fall. replaced and no trouble since.
Can you get just the solenoid for 911's or is it solenoid+starter only?

fishologist · 02-24-2008, 04:50 PM

I found it. Apparently jiggling the electonic part of the starter wasn't enough. I spent some serious time on my back messing with all of the wires going from the electronic part of the starter to the flat black plug and found the culprit loose wire. Have ordered a new piece but in the meantime I McGyvered it with a tie wrap so that it has connectivity.

Thanks for everyone's help!