Car won't start

[Runnin'On]

I have a 1984 Porsche 944 which I drive regularly. Less than a year ago I had 2 occasions when the car wouldn't start during the middle of the day. It starts fine every morning and it does eventually start. When I try to start it, it turns over and everything sounds fine. I had read about maybe the fuel relay failing? I ordered one, but never had a problem since and so I never installed the new relay. Now the problem is back. I am going to find where ever I put that relay, but wanted to check in and see if anyone had similar experiences. Will changing the relay solve this problem?

[todd84944]

When you are trying to start, when it does eventually start, do you do anything special to get it to fire. Do you give the gas pedal a little nudge, or do you just keep cranking untill it starts?

[CSU944]

Runnin'On,

I seem to be having kinda the same problem lately. Almost always she'll start up fine, but every now and then I'l have to crank-stop-crank-stop-crank for 5 minutes or so before she decides to fire. And when she finally does, she acts like she's not getting enough (or getting too much) fuel...she'll fire, then slowly come up to idle. After that, she runs fine.

I've replaced my DME relay and checked the electrical cpnnections on my fuel pump and everything looks good. The connector to the DME also looks fine.

My next step will be to install a (temporary) fuel gauge in the cabin to make sure that fuel is getting to the rail when I turn the key. I'm suspecting that I have a bad electrical portion on my ignition switch or a bad wire somewhere, and this will help me get to the bottom of it.

Soon, she'll be getting completely dismantled and sent out for paint, At that time I'll be checking out all the wiring to make sure everything's good.

-Tom

[CSU944]

Hey, those parts are working fine, by the way...Thanks!

[MrPants]

What does it do when it wont start? Does the starter spin? Does it start and die?
What causes it to start again? when it does does it idle normal or stumble for a while?

[Cebu]

http://www.connact.com/~kgross/FAQ/tb/tb.10.7705.html

http://www.connact.com/~kgross/FAQ/tb/tb.20.7601.html

[SoCal Driver]

What does two bullitens for the late 70's 924's have to do with an 84 944?

[Brando]

Shhh Hugh... they might think they're different cars... :P

[Don 944 LA]

Originally posted by Brando
Shhh Hugh... they might think they're different cars... :P

CIS to 84 944 ( what a concept )

nothin in the 924 that Brondo has (79?) even remotely resembles my early85 944

but I know more about the 924 engine than I know about the early 944
(thanks to Brando, hugh, and whats his name (justin's dad )

just my drunken $.02

Don

[Runnin'On]

In t6eh am it starts right away without hesitation and is right up to speed.
Then when I get out of work at 5-6pm it cranks away fine but won't turn over???
I try and try, I pump, don't pump, I take it of the emergency brake, I push the clutch in, I don't push the clutch in...
I try and then wait with the key out and then with it in and on and still nothing...
Then just as I'm about to go postal...
varooom it starts without hesitation...
Sometimes it starts just as the battery is starting to wear...
??????????????????????????????????????
Should I change the fuel relay???
It's a crap shoot every time I go to work...!

[Rock]

AHH! I had the same problem. It was my freaking battery cable. It wasnt tightened on all the way. It would just sit there and go TICK TICK TICK TICK TICK and then it would get a very slow crank in that sounded like the battery was almost dead.

Check the cables to make sure they arent corroded or anything, then check the grounds.

Im just 16 so im probally wrong, but its worth a shot.

[Runnin'On]

I'll check the battery cables, but I don't think this is the problem. It is pretty clean there. Also, the car turns over (no ticking), it just doesn't seem like it is getting fuel.

[SoCal Driver]

Need to clarify what is cranking and what is starting.

Cranking is just that. The engine will rotate. This is the same as turn over.

Starting is when the engine fires up from cranking (turning over).

Now onto the problem.

Turn the key on and take a volt meter and check that you have at least 12 volts at the small wire on the coil. Pull off one of the plugs on the injectors and check the pins for 12 volts. One will have the same voltage as the coil or battery. The other pin should be a tad lower.

IF you don't have voltage at the coil it's mots likely the ignition switch.

IF you have voltage at the coil and not at the injectors then it's the DME/fuel pump relay.

IF you have voltage at both places then the reference sensor could be intermintent from cracked plastic connectors at the sensor.

In some cases you can take the sensor plugs off and on a few times as this cleans the contacts.

So it's possibly the ignition switch or DME relay or reference sensor OR all three.

[Runnin'On]

It is getting plenty of power as it cranks vigorously but does not engage...

[SoCal Driver]

You're not getting what I am telling you. If the engine does not start AND it cranks over strong, there are other problems. Other things you need to check.