Intermittent Start Problem
 

I have been having problems with my 911 starting after I brought it out of storage this year. I had no problems at all last year starting, but the first time I tried to fired it up this past month, I had a dead battery and had replaced it.

Sometimes I will turn it over and it will come to life and then die right away. Other times I can try and turn it over several times and nothing happens, but I come back in 2 hours and everything is fine.

I drove it yesterday and it started fine every time, but this morning it would not start again.

Every time I've tried to diagnose the problem, it starts right away, but never seems to start when I need to go to work.

Any suggestions for areas to look at?

I have a problem similar to yours.

Thread:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/435152-no-start-last-night-starts-up-morning.html?highlight=starter

I think I'm just going to change the fuel pump (with attached check valve) and if that's not it; purchase the CIS testing equipment and go though it properly.

Thanks kach.

I should probably elaborate on the issues that I am having. I have begun to suspect the WUR in other situtations when I get on the power on when it is very cold, as it sounds like a will drop cylinders as I accelerate until they come back online.

I have sometimes heard that seemingly came clunk sound after I attempt to turn the engine over and it doesn't start.

When I turn the car onto run before I start it, I hear a whining sound that I'm not sure I heard before. It sounds like its coming from the fuel distribution rail, but I haven't been able to pinpoint the noise.

Would replacing the relays be a good place to start?

30 year old car, it would not hurt, they can just age out.

The other problems could be anything from a bad cap/rotor and bad spark plug wires to things like the WUR and AAR.

It could be as simple as a few spark plugs working themselves lose, or you forgot to put a wire back on after fixing a oil leak.

Do you still have points?

I never understood them, gave me all the problems you describe.

if the whining sound you are talking about is coming from the engine bay, your plunger may be sticking causing the fuel injectors to spray.
cant say i have heard of one doing intermittantly, but anything can happen. run the car low, about 1/4 tank and try some techron in the tank. fill it about half way and add some more, good long drives will help.

The normal whining sound is the fuel pump up front, right?

That is where the sound is coming from. The sound starts as soon as I put the key in run before I turn it over.

Update:

When I got home, I tried to start it and after about a quarter second of cranking it started right up.

Last night I ordered a fuel pump relay and finally had some time to work on it and replaced the cap and rotor that have been sitting on the shelf for a few weeks. I'm sure it did nothing to help this issue, but it seems to idle a little smoother.

It started up this morning and it was low on power as usual when it's a little chillier, about 45 F.

I'll find out in 10 hours or so if I get to get out of here.

he said he heard the sound from the fuel distribution rail, not sure what he meant. fuel rails are generally related to the fuel injection rail on an engine. that is why i started with "if the whining sound you are talking about is coming from the engine bay", hoping for more clarification on where the sound came from, also offering a solution IF the sound was from the engine area. i also thought he has heard the FP before and would know that is what he is hearing.

it would also be nice to know if it starts when he hears the sound or does not start.

Yes, sorry for the confusion, I am used to dealing with diesel engines with high pressure fuel rails. I was talking about the fuel distribution center in the upper right hand corner of the engine compartment.

The sound has been there since I started having this issue and doesnt affect it starting, but I can't say I remember it before this winter.

when you hear the sound, remove the air cleaner, reach inside and lift up on the air plate, but the key needs to be on. do not leave the key on for long since it is dumping fuel into the motor. you should feel resistance. if there is play, or the plate moves before you feel resistance, the plunger is sticking. or you can just go raise the plate with the key on and the sound you hear will be the injectors, which is the sound i suspect you are hearing. if that is the sound, it is the plunger.
techron in the tank may help. it needs to be driven, sitting makes it worse. i would put two bottles in now, take a long drive and do it several more times.

fuel rail was ok, i thought that is what you meant. the whinning was the key, if you had said buzzing, then i would have thought FP. the whinning is almost a squealing sound too.

Yes it does. I took it out for a 45 minute drive this past Saturday. :)