Strange start issue in cold weather

tlarocque · 12-05-2013, 05:47 PM

Driving from SoCal to Seattle. Drive 380 miles today without issue. Stopped for lunch and when I went back out to get on the road, car wouldn't start. Has juice but nothing turned over. Called tow company but with one last try (clutch pushed all the way in), fired right up. Drive another 170 miles, check into hotel, come back out and have same issue. I'm having a beer and hoping it starts when I get up in the morning but looking for thoughts, advice.

TIA!

porwolf · 12-05-2013, 08:19 PM

I read similar stories here on the Pelican. Myself, I never had this problem. But I would guess the problem could be the solenoid that controls the power to the starter motor and pushes the starter gear into the flywheel gets stuck. A lot of people were able to get it unstuck by hitting the starter motor smartly, but not too hard, with a piece of wood like a baseball bat.

daniel911T · daniel911T's Garage

Not meaning to hijack... but I'm just about to set out from Seattle in my 69 headed to mid CA. Wave if you see a white longhood going the other way!

I also happen to travel with hundreds of pounds of tools and technical books... so should you get stuck.... I think I could drop an engine on the side of the road if it came to that! I'm sure a stubborn starter or random relay is well within what I'm equipped to handle

PM me if you're in a jam.

Good luck!
-Dan

ManniB · 12-05-2013, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlarocque

Driving from SoCal to Seattle. Drive 380 miles today without issue. Stopped for lunch and when I went back out to get on the road, car wouldn't start. Has juice but nothing turned over. Called tow company but with one last try (clutch pushed all the way in), fired right up. Drive another 170 miles, check into hotel, come back out and have same issue. I'm having a beer and hoping it starts when I get up in the morning but looking for thoughts, advice.

TIA!

Either the starter switch in the dash board, the starter solenoid or a bad/corroded battery cable or ground. You may also check that the 14 pin connector at the back of the electrical console in the engine bay isn't loose.

- Manfred

kidrock · 10:05 PM

the starter is probably the original Bosch, and is having a common "heat soak" issue. After the starter has cooled, it will start again.

A gentle tap on the solenoid will temporarily remedy this issue. A rebuild (or replace with the newer and lighter "hi torque" starter) is probably in your future.

Before you start replacing stuff, follow Manni's advice and check your battery connections, check and clean grounds at the trans and at the battery. If necessary, check the 14-pin connector as well.

T77911S · 12-06-2013, 02:41 AM

good advice from the 2 above.

you should post the year. the 3.2's had more of an ignition switch problem than the earlier cars, but i dont think that is your problem.

most likely it is the solenoid, but you need to do other stuff first.
make sure all you major power connections are CLEAN. dont forget the grounds, and the body to tranny cable.
good fully charged battery
if you have an after market car alarm, those are junk and can cause the same problem.
check power on the yellow wire at the starter. i prefer a test light. compare the light across the battery to when it is connected to the yellow wire.

search my thread on rebuilding the solenoid and starter.

tlarocque · 12-06-2013, 07:37 AM

Thanks for all of the responses. I think kidrock may be onto something as it fires right up after sitting for a while. If/when I arrive in Seattle I will have to look into all of the things mentioned.

daniel99T- I will keep an eye out for you! The drive has been fun but this morning we woke up to what you seen in the pic below (we are in Eugene, OR)... not my kind of Porsche driving weather so I think we're going to let the weather pass.

Drive safe!

kidrock · 12-06-2013, 07:52 AM

you have to appreciate a starter that lasts 25 years. I replaced mine with the hi-torque about 4 years ago. The old Bosch had the same problem as yours. When I eventually pulled it, I noticed that the solenoid housing had a decent sized crack on it, probably from the prior owner banging on it.

Enjoy the snow up there, it only lasts a very short while. I'm down to 360 days before I relocate to the area permanently. I can't wait, it's one of my favorite places in the country.