rain start issues - searched
 

Hi Guys,

I have searched this issue but there is nothing that is quite teh same problem.

Basically my 1977 911 would not start this morning in the rain - the car leaks internally (targa) but this is mostly over the door glass.

When i tried to start it, the fuel pump came on and the dash lights lit up, but it would not crack. After 4 - 5 tries of getting it to crack, it died completely and would not light up anything or start the fuel pump.

I can only assume it is a short or something that i am hoping will dry out and work again, buti am a bit worried i have caused some damage now that nothing turns on at all.

BTW the electric windows will not move after all of this (didn't try when during first 4 - 5 tries).

My expectation is that something has shorted from the water - and my attempts to start may have blown a fuse or fried something.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions of what to try or look for.

Pic below shows nice dry weather

regards,

Chris in Aushttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1265327093.jpg

This sounds like an electrical problem.

Ok, now that you've quite laughing, check the battery. How old? Water in it? Corrosion on terminals? Do you have a charger so you can charge it up? Once you get it started, you need to test the alternator to see if you are getting a charge. You could need a new battery, rebuilt or new alternator or a voltage regulator.

I had problems starting my car after rain until I replaced my original plug wires.

so the thing does not even crank or turn over ? well i would definitely check the battery connections and grounds for sure .. that is a fairly simple circuit .. after checking your fuses it could only really be your ignition switch .. the electrical portion. if it turns over but does not fire then that is different alltogther... But first things first .. check battery as suggested

Thanks all - the state i left it in it did not even light up the warning lights and it was definately dead. However for four or five goes, it did light up and fuel pump whine sounded normal.

It reminded me of my old 912 which has the weird "relay through ignition switch" problem, where the full current goes through the ignition switch. Does the 911 have that problem?

I agree i need to check the battery - how does one best do this - is it just looking for 12v across the terminals?

Does anyone know which fuse / fuses relate to the ignition circuits?

In my opinion it is too unlikely that it has this major die right when it rains and it is not rain related.

But i am open to suggestions:)

Chris

clean and tighten your battery connections, then put a charger on it overnight. While it is charging, remove your dizzy cap...dry and clean the cap and everything underneath it thoroughly. This should do it.

Ok guys, I have removed and cleaned the battery terminals (neg was very covered in crystals) the indicator on the battery and the guage on the charger suggest it is charged. I measured 12.34 volts across the terminals. Its on charge now.

Whilst inspecting the car, the right speaker was making funny noises even after battery disconnect, so i removed it and it had water on it. I think a good amount of water got into the car.

Also, even with the battery out, there is a measured resistance of 22 when set on 200ohms between the pos terminal and the car body. I would have thought with the battery out there would be no circuit between these points - can anyone clarify please?

My only action from here is to let it sit and dry out and hope that fixes the problem.

Chris

Hi Chris!SmileWavy

When I bought my 1980 Targa was a sunny day

Got the first rain at home (800 km from the seller)

Smoke began to come in the car from front and the engine died.
In short time I found that the car suffered of leackages and that the battery charge was drained by something that during rain "happened" :confused:

What I found very useful in my resarch of the causes was a cheap ohmmeter set on 12V CC
I disconnect the battery positive and read the voltage. This I called the "base power of battery"

Then connect again the battery and read the new voltage. Normally, only the clock will drain a very small amount of energy with the key off.
Kept note of the new value

Then took off one by one the fuses from the fuse box and verifyied what happened

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1265354434.jpg

I found that a particular fuse caused a great battery drain (the voltage grew when I disconnect this fuse).

Finally I found that the wires of electric seats generated a short with the wet moquette of the floor.

At the present I have already in my car a 10% of the initial leackages, so I cover the top during rain.

Sometimes, when I wipe the floor I remember what Steve Wilkinson wrote in his splendid book: "Almost every Targa leaks and their owners deserve it" :)

Time to report back thank you all who assisted.

As i mentioned the battery was 12.34 across the terminals and the clamps very covered in crystals. I happened on friday night and by sunday after drying out and charging the battery, and extensive cleaning of terminals (try baking soda for that!) It went back together and was fine first time.

So it would seem that the corrosion etc on the battery caused the problem, but i am sure that the rain or humidity in some way influenced the problem, it is just too unlikely that it stopped working after a heavy night of rain.....


Anyway, we are back on the road for now, thankyou all.

Chris in Aus

I love a cheap and easy...fix!!!

Congrats, brother. Now drive her like you stole her.

I'm glad you got it back on the road.

12.34 volts? I'd drive over to your local parts store and have them properly test the battery. My guess is you aren't done with this story.

Tharbet,

Yes, it is low - that was with engine off, and after charge it was 12.6. With engine running it was high 13s - 14 at idle.

But yes i would not be surprised if a battery purchase is in my future.....

On the flip side, I could not get a current draw reading at all! - my clock does not work, but i would have thought something would read.... I need to test the multimeter on something that i know has draw. Can't think of anything that has exposed connections easily.

Anyway,

Chris