Stalling/power loss in 911sc ... help!
 

When it rains, it pours ... I'm having more trouble with my 82 911sc.

After work, it started up, but then stalled as I left the parking lot. It immediately started up again, but then after another minute of driving, the enginge surged (lost power) a couple time and then it stalled.

Then, it didn't even start. It cranks, but doesn't turn over.

It reminded me of a time when I ran out of gas (especially how the engine surged like wasn't getting gas) ... so I was thinking that it might be a fuel issue.

Is there an easy way to test the fuel pump?

Or it could have been mis-firing ... ?

Any thoughts?

Check the simple stuff first. Check the fuel pump relay in the front trunk. It should be a red relay on the fuse panel. You can use a relay from another option to check if it's good. The power windows one is right there.

(This little gem cost me a tow home one night before I knew much about how 911's work. It has simply come loose in the holder.)

Sounds similar to what happened to me a few times when I would hit bumps.

The engine seemed to lose power and then stalled and I couldn't start it back up.

If you turn the key to the on position you should here the hum of the pump. If you don't it's a good indication the relay came loose or your have a fuel pump problem.

Someone recommended to me, bending the pins on the relay just very slightly so it kind of locks itself in the plug better. I did that and haven't had any problems since.

Sounds like fuel related.
Remove the red fuel relay, put some dielectric grease, or Vaseline, on the pins, re-install.
Then, remove the airfilter cover, turn ignition ON (Don't crank the engine), reach into the airbox and VERY briefly lift the air sensor plate up.
You should hear a very distinct high screech coming from the injectors because now the pump should be running.
Release the air sensor plate immedeately to avoid flooding the cylinders.

If the above doesn't happen, the pump is suspect, or connections are bad.
Let us know what you find.

When turning ignition ON, there should be no sound from the pump on an SC because it has an Airsensor Plate Switch as a safety feature.
Only when you lift the Airsensor plate with ignition ON should the pump run.

Sounds like the same thing that happened to me turned out to be my fuel accumulator

YES-- it was the Fuel Pump Relay. Thanks to everyone.

VT____^^^^____911sc

Gunter..im confused. why is the sensor plate test necessary? cant one just replace relay and then start car and if it starts and runs, then you know the fuel pump is ok? ..how is lifting the sensor plate different?
just trying to understand in case this happens to me
thanks

I had a loose relay problem too. Fortunately I figured it out before having to get towed. Pushed it back in and drove home. Several days later, I hit a bump and the car stalled. It was loose again. I have hillbilly electrical taped the relay in so that it cannot back out, but will try bending the pins as mentioned above. Thanks for the idea!

Doug