can anyone tell me if this 85 944 is a good or bad idea?

jmgin2 · 07-08-2007, 01:38 PM

I Found a local 85 944 with 85k miles. The ecu does not work, the
diagnosis was that there was no signal coming from the ecu. The ecu has been swapped out with a couple of used ones but that didn't seem to fix it. I was thinking there is a bad relay somewhere. Can anyone tell me what is wrong and about how much it will cost to fix the problem.
Also won't it need a new fuel pump because it has been sitting?

Another thing the price of the car is $1200, I know that is a little high can anyone tell me a reasonable price for this car?

Heres a link: http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/car/366356647.html

Thanks,
J

Icey1174 · 07-08-2007, 02:01 PM

Is it an early 85? I think so if they are calling it an ECU. I have an 87 and in the 87 the fuel pump only runs when the car is being cranked or is running. This one may be different and I am going to assume it is the early 85. They changed ober to the DME for the 85.5. There is a fuel pump relay.

From Clark's:
"The DME relay which is used on 1985.5 and newer 944s is essentially the same as the fuel pump relay used on early 944s. The fuel pump relay on the early cars is located on the fuse / relay panel under the dash on the driver's side (LHD)."

I would buy the car. Offer $1000 and stay firm. It says the body is a 5 out of 10. Maybe a good buff job with bring it up some. That or a cheap paint job. I'm sure some people on here can help you get it running. There are all sorts of tests you can do to see what is failing.

Aslet · 07-08-2007, 02:01 PM

you could buy it and part it out and make some money off of that car, hehe. I personally would say go for a cool $1000-$1100, but I am no expert. It also depends on who YOU are... Will you be able to fix the car yourself and use it for you own car, then its worth alot more than if you have to goto a shop and spend four grand on fixing it to running condition, just some food for thought.

-Randy

Icey1174 · 07-08-2007, 02:06 PM

These fuel pumps seem to be bullit proof from what I have read about them. I have not read a single post of someone with a bad pump.

And yes, you could always part it out to get your moeny back. I would also drain the old fuel first. Sounds like an electrical problem somewhere. Just imagine if it was an over looked blown fuse!

So many things to look at. I would guess there is no spark if the ECU is not sending. Is it even getting power?

Obin Robinson · 07-08-2007, 02:40 PM

i had a problem like that a long time ago. it turned out to be a bad flywheel reference sensor. for that money it would be worth completely going through the car and thoroughly troubleshooting the entire electrical system. i'd estimate probably 15-30 hours of thorough testing. after that you'd have a great, fun car. for that price, heck yeah.

obin

jmgin2 · 02:46 PM

So do you think it is a relay problem? I havent seen the car, all I know about it is what is in the ad.
I guess I am kind of confused on all the info I have been given, can some one clear it up for me and maybe tell me what exactly is wrong with the car.

thanks for all your help so far

Icey1174 · 07-08-2007, 02:44 PM

Hard to say for sure. You'll have to get the car, a multi meter and start chcing things. If you are looking at this car to drive it right away as a daily driver then it might not be a good idea. I would offer $900 and go from there. I don't know if I would pay over $1K.

Obin Robinson · 07-08-2007, 02:50 PM

it could be one of following:

corroded/bad grounds
shorted wire
bad relay
bad fuse
bad fusebox/relay box

i personally don't mind doing electrical troubleshooting. it's sort of frustrating but it's also a great learning experience. i have a buddy who inherited a basket case 944 that had the same problems as the craigslist car you're looking at. it took him a few months to get everything sorted out. he now has a reliable daily driver 944.

fwiw my 944 had a lot of electrical problems when i got it as well. years later i too have a 365 day a year reliable 944. i think i put about $500 (includes new ECU) into the electrical system and it has never even once shuddered in the 6 years since then.

obin

many944s · 07-08-2007, 02:54 PM

I'm about an hour North of Indy in Lafayette, and run a primarily Porsche shop. If you would like, I could head down there sometime this week and inspect it. I could certainly check the DME relay with a meter and see if that is indeed the problem. I have a spare relay I could even take with me and see if it helps.

Let me know if I can help out.
-Nick

jmgin2 · 07-09-2007, 01:20 PM

I think I will pass on the car. Its been sitting so long that it will need alot of work to run properly, and I cant really fork out the cash to fix it.

Thanks for all of your help

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Even if it's an ECU, you can probably fix that for a couple hundred bucks. 944s are not all that difficult to repair.