My new '83 944

CT944 · 09-12-2003, 10:53 AM

Just bought an '83 944 with 28,000 original miles. It has been sitting for 2 years, covered. We got it runnning, but once it shut off, it wouldn't start again. The fuel pressure is good and the spark plugs are good. We grounded the coil wire to the valve cover to see if we had spark. Sometimes it sparks, most times it doesn't. What could this be? We replaced the coil and the same thing happened. I have an "UNGO Box alarm, which I believe I've disconnected correctly. Help!

profssr2017 · 09-12-2003, 12:34 PM

1) Change your gas - drain out the old crap and put in some fresh.
2) Check where the speed and reference sensors plug in (there is a bracket on the back of the motor - you should see two identical plugs - don't switch them when cleaning) - sometimes corrosion can set in.
3) As Todwick said "CHECK THE COIL WIRE!" Also check to see if you have constant voltage to the coil.
4) Check the resistance of the spark plug wires and coil wires.
5) Check the injectors to see if they are actually squirting fuel (use the baby jar test)
6) Are you saying that it cut off before you replaced the coil, then ran with the new coil, then cut off again? Please elaborate. Keep us advised

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

First thing you MUST DO is replace the timing and balance belts!!!!

Sitting for two years has put a kink in these belts and they will NOT last long. Don't worry too much about tensioning as long as the engine stays in alignment. Better to have a new belt a little tight than to have an old belt break!!!!

Now:

(taking into consideration that you have drained and refreshed the jiggle juice AND replaced the oil filter)

Replace the DME relay. Take the old one apart and clean the points the store it in the glove box. The lack of spark and injectors is mostly a function of this relay. This is also called the fuel pump relay. You can jump the sockets for this relay to run the fuel pump independent of the relay. This is used to check that the fuel pump is delivering fuel at the correct presure and flow to the fuel rail.

The next think to check is as profssr2017 has stated; the speed and reference sensors. The two connectors above the rear of the engine just behind the last intake runner do get a bit relunctant. Unplugging and plugging these back in will scrape away any corrosion

About changing the oil filter; I replace my 83's engine with an 86 engine and found I had NO OIL PRESSURE! I take out the spark plugs and disconnect the green coil wire to crank the engine till I get oil pressure on rebuilds or replacements. The 944's have an oil pump that is tempermental if not torqued to 150 pounds. It was the oil filter that had sat on the engine for almost four years.

And welcome to the 83 club!

CT944 · 09-12-2003, 02:16 PM

All,

Thanks. Let me elaborate more. I got the car to run with the original coil. Then the car wouldn't start after I shut it off. We checked the coil by grounding it to the valve cover with the coil wire. Sometimes it would spark, others it wouldn't. We replaced the coil, and nothing improved. The coil wire was actually brittle, so we replaced it (spliced and diced) with a random once we had in the garage...no luck either. We "jumped" the coil straight from the battery with no luck either. What I do know is that I need a new coil wire. What do you guys think?

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

I think, based on twenty years of 83 944 ownership, that you are looking at the wrong thing.

You asked for our collective advice. I would strongly suggest that you follow it and report back. I would also suggest that you look through the little hole to the right of the dist. cap and see if the timing belt is turning the cam. You just may have broken it.

CT944 · 09-12-2003, 02:34 PM

I 'll work on it tomorrow and reply tomorrow evening. Thanks.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

I suggest you visit www.clarks-garage.com and read through all of his trouble shooting guides. There is more to these electronic injected cars that will stop ignition. Not so much that you can't pick up on it. Just requires a certain mind set when you open the hood. A good ohm meter and scope also helps.

CT944 · 09-14-2003, 05:37 PM

Hi,

Worked on it again this weekend. No luck starting it this time. How do I disconnect the speed and reference sensors? Should I unbolt the bracket they are attached to first? I took out the fuel pump relay and opened it up. I didn't notice any cracks, but the connectors were all dark brown. I sanded the prongs and re-installed, with no luck. I will order a new relay and try again next weekend. Anyone know where I can pick up just a coil to distributer wire? The timing belt is turning when cranking. We had it running and driving last weekend, but put it away for the night and it wouldn't start the next morning. The car is a champagne color and man I cannot wait to drive it. Anyone in the CT / Long Island area?

PRECISIONSPORT · 09-14-2003, 06:51 PM

i came across a lot of 83s and 84s with this problem. 99% of the time the problem is reference mark sensors. i would suggest you buy a couple of new ones and install them. but before you plug the wires in, use a paperclip to push the connector pins tighter together just in case you have a bad connection at the plugs. but also you might have a problem with the ECU (brain). sometimes the soldiers on the computer board heat up and cause malfunction.

CT944 · 09-15-2003, 09:29 AM

If the fuel pump relay (DME Realy) doesn't solve it, I'll do the ref sensors. The relay is cheaper, so I'll try that first.

Will keep you updated.

Thanks.