No-start

[JPaul]

My '87 Carrera has been a no-start the last couple of days. It's done this before and recovered on its own but not this time.

Tested for spark, it's good. Tested all aspects of the fuel pump relay, fine. Fuse is good. I'm about to test the pump, which I'm hoping is the culprit. I've seen the threads on TDC sensors, etc so I'm hoping this is the last stop.

I called my local Carquest to inquire about a replacement pump and they said there are two (or more) Bosch models that'll work. One is close to $200 and the other is $90. He said the less expensive one is a 69301.

Curious if anyone has experience with this and why the disparity between models?

Thanks in advance!

JPaul

[Jay Auskin]

The wires on the speed and reference sensors get a little "crispy" from heat over the years. Very often, that's the problem with the 3.2L motronic engines and no start. Mine was stuck outside my garage once getting it ready for winter storage. A little wiggle of those wires, and I got it fired back up and put away.

Hint...the BMW reference sensor part numbers are a lot cheaper than the Porsche part numbers. Same sensor...slightly different wire length.

[JPaul]

Thanks Jay. On my next crawl-around, I'm going to do some wire wiggling.

Best,
JPaul

[rick-l]

I believe if you have a spark (actually more than one as the crank goes around twice) that your DME / sensors are working.

[304065]

DME relay

[rick-l]

can you jumper the fuel pump at the fuse block in the front and go around back and see if you hear fuel squirting through the regulator. maybe try and start it then also.

the pump only runs with the key in start or the engine running.

[JPaul]

John, I ran through all the DME relay tests in my Bentley book and they all passed. I'm going to check spark again to be sure.

The intermittent nature of the failure makes me think electrical before fuel but my real world experience with this car is quite limited so I'm learning...

Thanks,
JPaul

[JPaul]

Rick, I'm starting to doubt my fuel theory. I just went and sprayed start fluid with air filter off and got no response. I'm going to hook up spark plug next to confirm and then do some crawling around the TDC and Speed sensors.

I wish it were sunny, crawling around at my office parking lot in the wet isn't optimal but there she sits... Brought a nice packing blanket for comfort.

[gtc]

If it is the pump and you don't want to buy a new one from our host, A M A Z O N has a really good price on new bosch pumps.

[JPaul]

Thanks Graham. The local car quest has it in stock for less than $100. I'm sure like most others, happy to purchase from our host if it's something I don't need NOW!!!