Engine won't start - Stored over winter

[copper]

First off, for those who know me, I'm back!!
A two year hiatus (much has gone on) but I am back.

Now for my problem.

69 911T

The engine was rebuilt in 2006. All new components. Complete rebuild.
Has run beautifully since, as if new.

Put it in storage last fall. In a friend's barn for the winter.

Went to start it today. The battery was dead, as expected.
I had a portable booster box with me and I also had an industrial plug in type starter/charger.

Now, when I connected it and turned the key, I got power and the sound of the fuel pump starting to run. Good.

Then I turned it to start.

Just a sound that seemed almost electrical. Almost the sound of a current running through. But no ignition, no turning over, no attempt to fire.

I rolled it back and forth a bit and popped the clutch to try to rotate things a little.

Now I didn't have a wrench, so I didn't try to rotate the fan nut yet, but assuming it moves fine and the engine isn't seized, what do you think the problem could be?

Having read some threads, some say selonoid, some say starter, some say insufficient voltage to the starter due to the battery being completely dead.

Will there be a difference if I boost it from another car battery with the other engine running?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. It's going in for a brake job in two weeks, but it looks like I'll have to tow it there now, unless someone has an idea to help me get her started again.

Thanks as always!
Jim

[Zef]

IMHO...look like an insufficient voltage or your solenoid is gone. Take a battery with you on the next try. Is it a humid storage place in that barn...? If so...may be there is some corrosion on the starter terminal attach points and too much resistance there to permit the batt to feed the starter.

[copper]

The barn is somewhat heated, as he has chickens in the other half. So, over the winter, there would probably be some humidity I would imagine.

Someone else mentioned that the starter may just be "stuck" on a spot due to some corrosion. I did note that when I had it in neutral and went to roll it forward, it was stuck, and the wheels finally turned after the rust or whatever gave way with a heftier push. There is some noise from the wheels now, which sounds like rust on the rotors rubbing the pads.

So, yes, it seems there is humidity. Should I try tapping the starter to loosen it off, or try dropping into first when it's rolling in neutral?

At any rate, it'll be going in for brakes in two weeks and I'll get this issue looked at, but I'd rather get her going and drive her in as opposed to towing.

Thanks
Jim

[Zef]

Someone else mentioned that the starter may just be "stuck" on a spot due to some corrosion. I did note that when I had it in neutral and went to roll it forward, it was stuck, and the wheels finally turned after the rust or whatever gave way with a heftier push.

The starter is not directly linked to the drivetrain. When in neutral, if there was restriction, it was not from the starter.

Should I try tapping the starter to loosen it off


It can't hurt to try it. Tap on it gently with a hammer (small). It can help.

try dropping into first when it's rolling in neutral

You can do it as well...just make sure that this engine is not seized by turning the crank by the fan pulley first.
Look like the humid storage barn take his toll a bit.

[SP2]

My 81SC did the same thing when it was cold and the battery went dead. I hooked it up to a battery charger and with the voltmeter reading good I tried to start it but still nothing. I let it charge while I went to work and when I tried later there was nothing at first, and then the starter kicked in.

I think it was a combination of a weak battery and a cold starter on a cold day that had not been fired in 2 months. Strengthening the battery with 12 hours of charging seems to have been the difference.

Try recharging your battery well, then see what happens.

[boyt911sc]

Do you have fresh fuel in your tank? Bad fuel could cause you starting problem. If you have ignition (spark) and the starter is cranking the engine, it should atleast start and stall. I usually check the fuel pressures when my car won't start after several cranking attempts.

Tony

[Zef]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Do you have fresh fuel in your tank? Bad fuel could cause you starting problem. If you have ignition (spark) and the starter is cranking the engine, it should atleast start and stall. I usually check the fuel pressures when my car won't start after several cranking attempts.

Tony

May try to get the starter cranking before to check for fuel...It's not a fuel problem....it's an electrical problem IMO.

[copper]

Ya, you're right Zef.

Definitely not a fuel prob.

It's not even getting to the point where it could even try to ignite anything.

Now, before, when I mentioned the wheels not turning, I wasn't insinuating that the drive train and starter where connected. I was just showing how the humidity caused the rust on the brakes.

I think I'll give the starter a tap, and try to start it with my other car running and the pcars battery connected to that one. If it's a voltage issue, then this will resolve it.

Otherwise, it's gonna be a bad connection, selenoid or starter.

Jim

[Zef]

Keep us informed Jim.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

"Our" starters seem to have a pretty clunky solenoid-engage mechanism., You don't have to have a dead battery by any means for it not to work. Even a battery that hasn't been fuylly charged, by a bum alternator, will create a no-start situation.

[copper]

Thanks guys. Chatted with the mechanic today and he's in agreement with the battery being the issue. I'm gonna grab a new one tomorrow and drop her in.

I'll let you know.

Cheers
Jim

[Paulporsche]

Nothing else to add except, "Welcome Back, Jim."

[copper]

Hey Paul

Thanks buddy! Any local runs going on that I can get in on this summer?

Jim

[Rich Lambert]

Yu might also try getting one of those battery post brushes and run it over the battery posts and the inside of the battery cable connectors.

[flmont]

Make sure you spin the fuses as well ??? Frank

[copper]

Woohoo!!!!!

Put the charger on for a couple days and she started right up! Runs perfectly.

Oh did I miss her.

Now I've had to boost her in the past after storage, but this storage session was a few months longer than normal, so I guess I went past the point of no return on boosting her with the jumper box.

Once again, I thank you all for your input!!!!

What a great community. I missed it over the last couple years.
Glad to be back.

Jimmy