89' 911 3.2 Engine cuts out- Help!

[toddadale]

89’ 3.2 Targa 89,000 miles, all original with a Steve Wong chip. Engine cuts out when running at normal temperature.

She’s my daily driver – full tune-up 200 miles ago, never an issue with the engine – runs like a champ. Hot day here in Portland, OR today 90f -

Driving the car very spirited today, and then engine cuts out for 1 to 3 seconds. No yanking or bucking – just like I turned the ignition off and back on; nothing crazy – just dead, then back on. Let the car cool down for 2 hours drove her slow and kind and no issues for 10 miles. Then – back to engine cuts out for 2 to 3 seconds, died all together once and pulled over. Restarted after some time and limped home. No idle issues, no black smoke, no hi-temp issues – this 911 has always started on a dime.

Please – the place to start?

[ischmitz]

Check the usual suspects:

- ignition switch (electrical part, can cause momentary loss of Term.15.)
- DME relay (try your spare that you should have)
- flywheel sensors (ohm them out)

It's hard to say what's most likely especially if you can't reproduce the issue and it's intermittent. For the ignition switch you can try to gently wiggle the key and see if it forces the issue. The DME relay is cheap, get one and try it. The sensors are more difficult especially if they only fail (open) at temperature. They are about 90$ a piece from our host (BMW version) and replacing them requires some acrobatics under the car.

Ingo

[mysocal911]

Read the following thread, as it provides some good troubleshooting info and
most importantly some good DIY info at the end.

911 Carrera 1987 Engine Cut Out Issue

[COLB]

My 88 was doing almost the exact same thing -- a rebuilt AFM fixed the issue.

Something to add to your troubleshooting list.

[AVDCAV]

Don't start buying parts yet " do some research and tests
Get fuel pressure kit from harbor frieght also. 1 minute o test fuel pressure
After you do the other Listed normal suspects. That's a good post link
Above.

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by AVDCAV

Don't start buying parts yet " do some research and tests
Get fuel pressure kit from harbor frieght also. 1 minute o test fuel pressure
After you do the other Listed normal suspects. That's a good post link
Above.

+1

or ask 3.2 buddy if they can test your DME in their car. DO NOT PUT THEIR DME INTO YOURS, ever on a suspect car.

[toddadale]

Thanks to all - you given me some solid places to start. Cooler in Portland today, drove like a champ for the 15 mins. I took her out. Seems it's heat related.

1.replacing the DME - just for my sanity
2. if that does not work, putting in a new Temperature Sensor on Cylinder Head

She never ran hot, thinking its the DME - replaced a part in the driver's seat last week - maybe gave the DME a hit and upset it. anyways - I will start with this. Understand Cylinder Head Sensor should be replaced anyways on a 911 this old.

[toddadale]

Cylinder Head Sensor gauge (VDO) anyone install one? I know some 911's had this from factory. My car is a "stock- street only" ideas, feelings??

[DRACO A5OG]

Well, is it the OEM CHTS or updated one? If the skinner wired OEM it won't hurt to do it.

You should have a non URO brand spare relay in the glove in anycase, try that first. Then try to find a 3.2 Pelican that will test your DME to remove that from the list.

Gauge, your preference, I don't think you need it. if you update the CHTS if it wasn't already.

my 2 cents,

Jim

[cabmandone]

FWIW, when I bumped the wire on my cylinder head temp sensor wire, it ran like crap. It didn't just run fine then die, it ran like crap. It had no power and would just stall out from flooding. It sounds to me like you've more likely got a speed/reference sensor problem or DME relay problem. But I could be wrong.

[hcoles]

when I first got my car is had cutting out at high throttle opening - turned out to be CHT sensor.

[toddadale]

DME and Temperature Sensor on Cylinder Head replaced. Issue resolved. Thanks All!

[DRACO A5OG]

Outstanding! Now go enjoy your baby