968 no start problem...
 

Hi,

Im visiting from the 911 board... ;)

My neighbor has a '93 968 with a 'no start' problem. We first thought it might be the factory alarm. We turned the alarm on, waited 30 seconds, turned off, then back on, then off... then opened the door and tried to start. no luck

then disconnected the battery for 30 seconds, tried to start... no luck.

the search didnt turn up much for 968's.... any suggestions or suggested threads?

how do you test for a bad dme relay? (its not under the seat like my 911!)

when the key is turned, the lights/radio works, then a short click and then nothing. He also tried jumping... same thing. SHould we hear a fuel pump?

Any suggestions appreciated.

thanks!

Same exact problems on a 99 911 and and a 968 . Turned out to be an ignition switch! No previous symtoms at all either!!!

You can test the DME relay by popping the cover off if it and plugging it back into the socket, when you turn the key, both relays in teh dme relay should close.

However, it does not sound like a DME fault. With no crank it could be the ignition switch or the starter.

AFJuvat

Thanks for the responses... I'll post what we find out!

ps. It one is not goes like quickly, but quickly go like well you?

You might not be able to hear the fuel pump, these things are pretty quiet these days. If you have 2 people, have 1 person put their hand on the fuel pump, and you should be able to feel it vibrating if it's running. It will only run while the engine is cranking (and running)

Does the starter crank the engine? or does that not even run?
If the starter does not crank the engine, but you do hear a click from the starter, that's likely to be a bad starter. If you do not hear any noise from the starter, use a voltmeter to see if the starter selonoid (the smallest diameter wire attached to the starter) is getting power. if yes, and no cranking, it's a bad starter. If it does not get power, it could be the ignition switch, or something related to the alarm.

The best place to ask 968 questions is at http://www.968.net forums http://65.61.16.109/forum/default.asp

Mike
'84 944
'92 968
'94 BMW 325i

Alos check the connections at the battery, engine ground and at the starter.

Might just be a bad battery.

If it is the ignition switch, can that be easily replaced? I found a thread on the 968.net forum that indicated it was just 2 screws connecting it to the lock/tumbler assembly. can i get to it from under the dash? other threads mention having to drill something out... I don't know if I'm up for drilling things on other peoples cars :/

On the 99 911 it was very simple 2 screws and the assembly comes apart! We never did any drilling!

Sounds like the cables at the starter need cleaning. Could also be the ground strap from the firewall to the motor. Check all grounds and make sure they are tight and clean.

i don't know about porsche starters. but there is always and easy way to test the starters on domestic cars. take a set of jumper cables and hook one end to the battery and the other end to the starter cable. if the engine cranks, you know it is not a starter problem. start simple my friend.

i'm not sure where the soleniod for the starter is on the 968, but that is what you need to jump.

First, thanks to all those that chimed in when this was posted a few months back. I'm posting the solution to this problem as a reference to others...

The starter was bad and was replaced. As it turns out, it had been incorrectly wired in the first place (previous repair? ) and was causing it to engage on its own while the car was running. This had sounded to the owner like grinding of the brakes/calipers/rotors and he didnt make the connection to the starting problem.

cstreit (from the 911 tech board) was the person that got everything sorted out... thanks Chris!