Loose Ground?

[mikesaletnik]

I recently have had trouble starting my 1984 944. When I turn the key all I hear is a clicking sound, but as soon as I put jumper cables on it it starts right away. I recently put a brand new battery in the car so its not the battery. Any suggestions.

[Lawrence Coppari]

Sometimes when you put jumper cables on the existing cables, a better connection is made due to the squeezing of the cables at the battery. Remove cables, clean off oxide, replace, and tighten. Sounds like a bad connection to me.

If you have an ammeter, put it in series with one of the battery leads. With key out of ignition and everything off, current drain should be less than .020 amps.

[Lawrence Coppari]

And while you are at it, check the battery voltage with the engine running. You should read about 13.5 volts.

[DARKiGOD]

Check the fans on the radiator...i had kinda the same problem...one of the fans constantly stayed on so i just unplugg it when im done driving...problem solved

[IceShark]

I've got to agree with Lawrence. The only things that are very likely are bad connections between the battery posts and the clamps or a bad/discharged battery, even though you say it is new.

The only other thing is if you are actually jumping the car the correct way and put the positive jumper to the positive battery clamp and the negative to a piece of the motor. You have an '84 and if those battery cables are original it is a sure thing your main negatives range from crap to horrible. If it turns out to be that I sell upgraded negative battery cable mains that will make a night and day difference.