85 911 will not start!

[Nick Triesch]

After an entire year of starting perfect including this morning, on a road trip in nice weather we pulled off the road to buy some apples. Got back in and would not turn over at all but heard the fuel pump. Apple guy gave me a push and it started right up. On gauges, every was fine. Got oil and no dash lights. Got home pulled in garage and turned off and would not start. Car was running very cool. No problems. Any thoughts besides starter motor going out all of a sudden? Is there a starter relay or fuse? Thanks, Nick

[crustychief]

Maybe check the yellow wire on the starter? Mine fell off the starter on the bus once, same symptoms.

[Nick Triesch]

OK, I'll check it. Could you please tell me where about the starter is located?

[schumicat]

the starter is bolted to the upper right side of the transmission. the wiring connects is on the side away from the engine. you need to safely get the rear of car on jackstands to look at it.

[Nick Triesch]

Does the switch on the clutch ever go bad? What is strange is that it has been such a great starting car. It gave no hint of a problem. Battery is good. Just checked.

[Nick Triesch]

New update....I have 12.60 at the battery just sitting there. Also, when everything was quite tonight I could hear the starter click when I turned the key. Can the solenoid go out just like that? Nick

[DRACO A5OG]

While you are under her checking out the Yellow wire, Go ahead and clean the ground connection it is right in front of the Trans mounts. Even if it looks good, remove clean with Electronics contact cleaner and re-attach.

As you inspect the yellow wire, remove and clean as well and re-attach. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WHILE DOING THIS

Check the Red Hot lead as well.

If you want to service the starter, check under my logon id I posted a tutorial on servicing the starter. Did your starter screech after start up?

Jim

As far as your dash, check the dial is not accidentally dimmed. I would consider placing a fuse on the gauge lights, a good

[DRACO A5OG]

While you are under her checking out the Yellow wire, Go ahead and clean the ground connection it is right in front of the Trans mounts. Even if it looks good, remove clean with Electronics contact cleaner and re-attach.

As you inspect the yellow wire, remove and clean as well and re-attach. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WHILE DOING THIS

Check the Red Hot lead as well.

If you want to service the starter, check under my logon id I posted a tutorial on servicing the starter. Did your starter screech after start up?

Jim

As far as your dash, check the dial is not accidentally dimmed. I would consider placing a fuse on the gauge lights, a good "better safe then sorry" easy mod.

[grendiers]

My no-crank was the same, strong battery, start for quite a while, then nothing. Even with a battery trickle charger. After replacing starter, chassis ground, battery ground, tightening alternator belt, I finally piggy-backed a 2 gauge positive battery cable onto the starter thru the tunnel, to the battery. Left the original cable in place. My thoughts were that the alternator was not charging the battery. It's still working, fingers are crossed. Good luck.

[Nick Triesch]

I'm sorry Jim, What I ment was I have no red dash lights. They all work fine. The last time it started yesterday , it started just fine. No noise, no delay. It just started fine. When I get under the car I'll check out what you told me.

[crustychief]

I think at this point I would load test the battery, then check for a voltage drop at the starter while cranking / attempting to crank. it should not go under 11 or so volts. It could be a bad cell.

[Nick Triesch]

I remember years ago our 67 bug would not start because it had a dead spot in the starter. We would use a large screwdriver to arc the starter so it would move a bit. Then it would start several times. Can you do this to a 911? Nick

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

Does the switch on the clutch ever go bad? What is strange is that it has been such a great starting car. It gave no hint of a problem. Battery is good. Just checked.

There is no clutch disconnect. Starter will turn with clutch engaged.

I agree with the others, either a bad starter, solenoid or possibly a bad ignition switch.

[bullethole]

if you can hear the starter click then its likely not the ignition switch. In my experience thats usually the solenoid that makes the sound.

[rick-l]

On an 85 DME car you should hear the DME relay click and the fuel pump run when you turn it to start.

[kidrock]

it may just be a typical hot-start issue....do you know how old your starter is? Might be time for a new one, or you can re-freshen it using Draco's thread.

[arffmedic]

I had the same issue. It wouldn't start but when push started ran fine. It was the ignition switch. Took a while to finally figure out. Hope that helps

[Nick Triesch]

Today I jacked up the car and went under and took off all the wires and used contact cleaner and cleaned everything. Really filthy. Same starter for 26 years according to records. Then I got out a little hammer and smacked the starter several times. Went in the car , Turned it over and it started right up .. Several times! I know it may happen again so I will buy a new starter but it works for now. Nick

[kidrock]

a light "tap" to your solenoid will do the trick....but be careful, the solenoid is surrounded by a "bakelite" material and cracks pretty easily.

That's why I asked how old your starter is. This is a common problem with our old starters, they are located close to an extreme heat source. If and when you decide to replace it, I highly recommend the "hi-torque" starters sold either by our host, or you can do a google search.

[Joe Bob]

You can either replace the solenoid, the whole starter or install a hot start kit. Otherwise a BFH will be a new tool in your trunk.