'86 No Start Problem - Strange

[Helios59]

Just got my '86 Carrera back from complete engine rebuild. Started up great, drove home no problems.

As I pulled up at the house, I switched off the ignition. Remembered something else I wanted to do, turned the key again and nothing.

No click, no fuel pump noise, no lights on the dash, nothing. Checked battery connections; all seemed tight. Battery was installed in April 2009, and has never given any problems. Three-year-old rebuilt alternator, also no problems whatsoever. Tried several times - twice I got the alternator and oil pressure lights to light, but engine didn't catch. The other times, nothing happened at all.

Had a friend jump me. First few tries, same as before - just dead. Turned on headlights to verify I still had power. Headlights worked, and on next try, ignition turned over like nothing had ever gone wrong. Disconnected jumper cables, started the car several times - all is well now.

Engine and oil temperature, oil level and pressure were all within normal range.

Any guesses? Thanks in advance.

[pors1968]

I would check the battery post and clean it.

[86 911 Targa]

Ignition switch contact/connections?

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by pors1968

I would check the battery post and clean it.

Also another good thought+ check the starter contact.

[Helios59]

My five-year-old battery wasn't holding a charge. Got a new battery so for now I'm closing the book on this one.

Thanks for everyone's help.

[DRACO A5OG]

Get yourself a battery tender, c-tek 3000 is great and it also maintains the battery for you.

[cgarr]

There are some big ground straps one under the car by the tranny and a lot of grounds on the intake but since no starter I would guess one of the big ones.

[cabmandone]

There is also the ground point in front of the battery where the ground cable attaches to the frame of the car.

[Erich Stahler]

Could it be the solenoid on the starter?

[mgro1959]

Years ago I had my 78 911 SC vandalized. When I went into the underground parkade I saw a fellow owners car with the vent window broken and looked at mine as I walked towards it. Door was ajare and I thought great. Vent window broken and interior looted. I sat in the car and put the key in and nothing. I thought great they ****ed the wiring. Turns out the alarm system was stolen out of it with other stuff but in doing so they pulled the wiring under the steering column. The wiring goes into plugs in the firewall for lack of a better word and forward into the fuse box in the trunk. It was one of these plugs that was loose and as soon as I pushed it back in I had full functional electrical. Check those plugs. This also makes a great antitheft thing because with the ignition plug pulled out of that plug that car is not going anywhere and appears totally dead. Check the wiring plugs under the steering column. Wiring is a game of time when troubleshooting . Goodluck Thanks Rob

[afishkind]

1984 911 Carrera ... same idea. Pulled into the gym .. went in and worked out. When I came back ... no start. Clicks heard in DME relay. Pulled out the phone and read several posts including this one. Got underneath the steering column ... pushed everything in tightly ... shazzam! Car started! Could have been something else .. buy hey .. it worked.

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by Helios59

Just got my '86 Carrera back from complete engine rebuild.

Any guesses? Thanks in advance.

How about taking it back? Whoever did the rebuild should be able to find it in 2 seconds flat.

[kodioneill]

Originally Posted by Helios59

My five-year-old battery wasn't holding a charge. Got a new battery so for now I'm closing the book on this one.

Thanks for everyone's help.

I looks like he found his problem guys.