911 Carrera 85 does not start and more...

eacardu · 10-20-2007, 08:20 AM

It is time to take my '85 out of summer storage (this is Florida - I put it up on summer and drive it in fall/winter/spring -- the A/C is less than adequate for this weather.) I always try to crank it and go for a small spin every so often. That said the last time was approx 1 mont ago.
Yesterday, when I was going to take it out, it just did not start at all. It cranked strong, but not a single puff, cough, smoke, nothing.

...and more... The battery gets consistently dead after about a week of inactivity, I charge it overnight,and it goes back to work strong, so I believe the batt is okay, however, I think it should stay alive longer than that. Today I try to crank it again and the battery is dead. Putting 2 'n 2 together, could I have a short on the ignition circuit?

Please help!!!
Where do I start?

RickM · RickM's Garage

When storing I use a Battery post cutoff switch and a Battery Tender.

Your DME relay may have gone out. If you do a search you will find info on removing and resoldering the cold/cracked joints on the relay's circuit board. This will help in many cases. BTW, it is located right under the front of the driver's seat.

Carrera owners are best off carrying a DME relay around.

Add: Here's a recent thread on relay repair: 87 Carrera DME failure?

Also, welcome to the board!

williecoyote · 10-20-2007, 09:06 AM

Did you check if there is fuel at the motor?

eacardu · 10-20-2007, 02:53 PM

As a matter of fact I did. The gas gauge showed I had +/- 1/4 tank, but I still went to the gas station bought 5gal just in case the gauge was messed up.
Good point though.

Thanks Will!

eacardu · 10-20-2007, 02:56 PM

Thanks Rick! (For the welcome and for the advice.)

I started to disconnect the battery after I found out how quickly it gets drained. By the way, is a week or two time enough for a battery to die? Or should I start looking for some electric issues?

DonMo · DonMo's Garage

Your Carerra is like mine, left alone for a week, it will drain the battery ( an Optima). I leave mine on a battery minder to keep it topped off when not in use. As to your no start, It could be several things, mine turned out to be the DME (Motronic). The transistor for the final stage driver for the coil died.. There is a guy here in South Florida that repairs Motronics for $250 and will do a bench test for $50-$75. Does good work. Very happy, 24 hour turn around on mine, but he was an 45 min. drive for me. If you are here in So. Fla. let me know, we can find out real quick if it is your DME. I am in WPB.

nesslar · 10-20-2007, 05:10 PM

Please swap out the DME relay and keep a spare. Try this first, and no matter what, as you need a spare anyway even if the origignal is still good. There's a good chance you can fix your no-start problem in this way for $30.

williecoyote · 10-21-2007, 07:07 AM

Check to see if your fuel pump is working.

eacardu · 10-22-2007, 06:10 PM

Thanks 'DonMo'! I ended up reading the article on how to fix the DME realy and gave it a try. It worked!!! Now I am ordering a new one, I will keep the repaired one as a spare.
I will definitely keep in mind your offer for the motronic. I would not mind to drive to WPB from Green Cove Springs, if I can save myself a thousand bucks.

Thanks again!
Enrique.

eacardu · 10-22-2007, 06:12 PM

That is kind'a what I did. Really I followed the article about repairing the DME relay (resoldering the connections). I worked like a champ. I am ordering he new one as we speak.

Thanks nesslar!

mj1pate · 07-01-2008, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonMo

There is a guy here in South Florida that repairs Motronics for $250 and will do a bench test for $50-$75. Does good work. Very happy, 24 hour turn around on mine, but he was an 45 min. drive for me.

DonMo; What is the contact info on your repair source? Thanks.....

DonMo · DonMo's Garage

Specialized ECU at 3059890724

I don't know what his prices are now but if you mention that a guy from West Palm Beach who had his motronic repaired by him, he may remember.

I payed $250 about a year ago.

wnsgc · 07-01-2008, 05:30 PM

Greetings,

Enrigue mentioned repairing the DME relay, I didn't know you could do that. I always carry a spare DME, but it would be nice to repair the broken one (when indeed it goes). Can someone point me in the direction on how to fix it?

Thanks.

DonMo · DonMo's Garage

Cold solder joints plagued the relay as well as the DME(Motronic). A good eye aided by a magnifying glass should ID the cracked solder, flow new solder on it and that should work. If it is beyond cold solder joints, I would buy a new one.

mj1pate · 07-02-2008, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonMo

Specialized ECU at 3059890724

I don't know what his prices are now but if you mention that a guy from West Palm Beach who had his motronic repaired by him, he may remember.

I payed $250 about a year ago.

Thanks very much. Even somewhat more than $250.00 beast $1400.00