No start issue on our road trip!!!!!!!!

[JAR0023]

Just had a no start situation. Stopped for a break. Came out power but no start. Car lit right up on 5 or 6th attempt. Next stop El Paso and on to Boerne. About to check voltage but seems more like a starter ground issue. Will check in later for advice.

J

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by JAR0023

Just had a no start situation. Stopped for a break. Came out power but no start. Car lit right up on 5 or 6th attempt. Next stop El Paso and on to Boerne. About to check voltage but seems more like a starter ground issue. Will check in later for advice.

J

In worst case have car towed to the nearest gas station with a garage. Put it on a lift and check all the electrical connections to the starter motor. Of course first check the battery connections and capacity. I once had a similar condition on an older Landcruiser where the battery grounding strap was corroded internally to next to nothing.

[JAR0023]

Battery is old. Gonna find a lift in las cruces. Alt. Working fine. No date on battery. Didn't want to shut it down again in middle of nowhere.

I have to own up to leaving light on for half hour during stop. Not sure that could do it. Maybe. When it finally lit the starter spun fast and strong.

J



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[GH85Carrera]

Does the starter spin and the engine not start, or does nothing happen when you hit the key?

You did not mention what year 911 you have. On my 85 Carrera the starter will get heat soaked on trips but never just around town. Once it is heat soaked it just locks up. I can wait 20 minutes and it will cool down enough to start. Squirting water on it helps but is a pain to do. You will need to replace the starter or have it rebuilt if that is the problem.

[JAR0023]

86. Nothing for 7-8 tries then bam. Fired right up. It's hot. I10 new Mexico.

J

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[JAR0023]

Loose nut behind the wheel I guess. Stopped in las cruces. Alt fine. Bat fine. Connections at starter fine. Starts no issue. I did leave lights on earlier. Won't do that again.

Onward.

J

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[Hugh R]

If you haven't heard,never disconnect the battery with it running you will immediately destroy the alternator


Good luck

[kidrock]

I will PM you my cell #. Let me know if you have any issues between Cruces and El Paso. I'm at work right now but I could be there if you get in a pinch.

[JAR0023]

Thanks Hugh. Don't think I knew that.

Forgot to mention I did put a full turn of the wrench on each battery post. The were loose.

Just stopped for fuel restarted no issue. 25.5 mpg.

Thanks
J

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[porwolf]

Glad you got going again! Scary stuff on the open road.

[porsche930dude]

well if its a dead spot in your starter just have your mate hold the key in the start position while you give the starter a good smack with a hammer. that should crank it over. same deal with a sketchy fuel pump

[rick-l]

what car?

[JAR0023]

Well, I must have stopped and restarted the car 8-10 times this evening between fueling, eating and trying to find a hotel in west TX. Finally gave up and pushed through to Boerne (outside San Antonio). Parked car up front, then spent 25 minutes checking in, getting my daughter in bed and unloading the car. Went back out to move the car and nothing. It's not in the fire lane so desk clerc said it's safe there til in the morning. There's a Ford dealer right around the corner. Here's hoping they are open tomorrow so we can see underneath. My kingdom for a real jack and jack stands right now.


Eta. 86 Carrera

J

[Lorenfb]

"If you haven't heard,never disconnect the battery with it running you will immediately destroy the alternator"

Not correct! It's possible though to damage some electronics if the alternator
over-voltages the electrical system the result of a bad regulator.

There's a good possibility that commutator or the brushes are worn in the starter
causing intermittent cranking. You need to have someone listen for the starter
solenoid to engage (click) but the engine not crank. That would indicate that
the starter motor is the problem.

[porsche930dude]

my comment was not a joke that is really what you should do

[Lorenfb]

"my comment was not a joke that is really what you should do"

Yes, it does work sometimes, especially if it's a stuck solenoid.

[pete3799]

Check and clean the ground at the front of the trans. to the body.
Mine would some times just click like a dead battery. Cleaned the ground and it's been fine for 3 years now.

[pharlap71]

the "hammer smack" works when the brushes are worn short, the springs are having difficulty making the brushes make good contact, the smack helps them.

[rick-l]

park on a hill.

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by rick-l

park on a hill.

LOL. Thanks for the laugh. Problem is I don't think there is a hill in Houston, Tx.