no start this morning - need help...

jclanin · jclanin's Garage

Hi all,

So I decided to take the 911 to the office today and when I tried to crank her up she started to turn over for just a brief second and then what sounded like a fan continued to run. I tried to turn the key again and nothing. Just a constant sound of a fan - or something like that.

I stepped out of the car to investigate the constant sound a bit more and I'm thinking it is the starter spinning?

I had to disconnect the battery (it has a quick disconnect) to cease the fan/starter motor.

I should mention that I just had the starter replaced. I'm assuming it is fine and the problem is a bit further down the line.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

JC

Tippy · 08-24-2011, 05:50 AM

What year?

jclanin · jclanin's Garage

87

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

I had maybe a similar problem a couple of years ago.

People said to check the check valve on the starter (might be internal on your year).

I ended up replacing the fuel pump. Not easy to figure out, keep trying you will figure out your problem.

Old thread:
No start last night - starts up this morning

jclanin · jclanin's Garage

I understand it could be the Solenoid or a bad ring gear - and if it is the ring gear I'll have to pull the motor. The clutch is pretty much gone so I'll be ok if that is the issue.

But, what I don't get is that the starter will continue to spin even with the key 'not' engaged. I have to disconnect the battery to stop the spinning...

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by jclanin

I understand it could be the Solenoid or a bad ring gear - and if it is the ring gear I'll have to pull the motor. The clutch is pretty much gone so I'll be ok if that is the issue.

But, what I don't get is that the starter will continue to spin even with the key 'not' engaged. I have to disconnect the battery to stop the spinning...

Which is why I think it is your fuel pump.

Tippy · 08-24-2011, 06:06 AM

Sounds like the solenoid went wonky.

The starter needs to be removed and possibly the solenoid replaced.

Targalid · 08-24-2011, 07:22 AM

The fan sound could be a fan. Is your heater completely turned off when you turn the key? The heater/AC blower comes on when the key is on.

jclanin · jclanin's Garage

It's not the fan. I'm almost positive it is the starter spinning and it seems that the Solenoid could be the culprit. I'll take a look this evening.

thanks -

JC

na2ub · 08-24-2011, 07:58 AM

Starters can do that if they are bad. That exact thing happened on my Nissan when I replaced the starter. Returned the starter for another and all was well. Weirdest thing.

mnez · 08-24-2011, 08:18 AM

You have a bad solenoid. The key operates the solenoid relay, which operates the starter motor. When the the relay sticks, the motor keeps spinning. The only way to stop it is to pull the battery cable (or wack the solenoid with a hammer if it wasn't a 911). Depending on how long it ran, you may have other damaged/melted bits in the solenoid or bendix drive.

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnez

You have a bad solenoid. The key operates the solenoid relay, which operates the starter motor. When the the relay sticks, the motor keeps spinning. The only way to stop it is to pull the battery cable (or wack the solenoid with a hammer if it wasn't a 911). Depending on how long it ran, you may have other damaged/melted bits in the solenoid or bendix drive.

Do you know if the solenoid is external or if the whole unit needs to be replaced/rebuilt?

mnez · 08-24-2011, 01:27 PM

The solenoid is external, but I don't know if it is available separately. I put in a complete reman Bosch starter assembly, but that was a few years back so don't recall if serviceable separately.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Reman starters and alts suck. They only fix enuff for it to work.

Best to take it to a reliable and local rebuilder.