Finally, 911 will not start!

[Nick Triesch]

Did not start a couple of times but will push start easy. I had battery checked (8 years old) and it was bad. Replaced with new 85 month interstate battery and car will not start. I hear fuel pump and a click at the starter when I turn the key. Do you think a bad starter? Car will push start every time. tell me what you think please. Thanks, Nick

[boyt911sc]

Nick,

You replaced your 8-year battery with another 7-year year battery? Have the battery tested for voltage and crank amperage. The second battery could be another candidate for disposal. If your car could easily start by pushing, go find another good strong battery. That should solve your problem. Otherwise, have the starter inspected too. Keep us posted.

Tony

[Nick Triesch]

Sorry I replaced an old 85 month battery with a new 85 month battery. The old one was way past due but did a good job.

[Nick Triesch]

I think it probably is the starter because about a year ago it would not start on a trip so I push started it and when I got home I hit the starter with a rawhide mallet and it started well for a year. I just think that the starter and the battery gave up the ghost at the same time. $104.00 at Autozone! For a nice rebuilt unit.

[porsche930dude]

new batteries sometimes need to be charged up first. or it could be a bad one. did you try jump starting it?

[pete3799]

Clean the battery to chassis ground and also the trans. to body ground strap.

[Nick Triesch]

Hey, I tried to jump start it when I brought it home. Did not work. so I put a trickle charge on it for two hours and it just started right up!!!!!!! I bought it from a little Mex shop that sells new and used batteries in a poor part of town. It could have sat in the shop for a year! I know it is new because I see the interstate truck there all the time. And I could tell it was new. Anyway the battery was $110 out the door. We will see tomorrow if it is a good one! Nick

[Joe Bob]

Give the solenoid a good whack.....

[mfyoung1086]

most autoparts shops can test the start after you pull it out, it has saved my butt on one occasion on my Saab when the ground cable was actually the culprit, wasn't fully grounding.

[kidrock]

if you still have the Bosch starter, and the solenoid can be gently rapped into starting, it is probably time to start saving up for a new high torque starter.

This might be a good time to clean up those main grounding points, like Pete3799 pointed out. You could solve your issues with zero money and a little elbow grease.

Also....clean those contacts to the starter as well.

[WI wide body]

If all else fails swap out the DME relay under the driver seat.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

I hear fuel pump and a click at the starter when I turn the key. Do you think a bad starter?

I think either bad starter/solenoid, or voltage drop anywhere in the solenoid circuit.

Which could be battery, connection, or any connection on the fat yellow wire from the ignition switch, through the bulkhead connectors to the 14-pin plug in the engine bay or any of the ground return straps.

[Nick Triesch]

Well, it was an easy fix. Just needed new battery. I guess I thought it was more when a year ago the car would not start on a local trip to the mountains. A whack on the starter fixed it. But the new battery (Interstate 85 month) is starting her up strong. I think I will save for a new starter anyway! Thanks, Nick

[kidrock]

Originally Posted by spuggy

...to the 14-pin plug in the engine bay...

where is this 14-pin plug located in the engine bay, exactly?