Dme relay?

scotmick · 11-08-2008, 02:07 PM

I have a problem with my recently purchased 1985/1 944 which I assume is the DME relay. I bought a new one and looked at all the diagrams I can find on the Internet. Under the Dash on the Drivers side, there are multiple relays that all look alike. My Fuse Panels/Relay Panels don't match any of the Diagrams I have seen. Question; where is the damn DME Relay.

Thanks, Don

mikepellegrini · mikepellegrini's Garage

Here - it's #2

Relays
position use
1 Fan
2 Fuel pump
3 Blower
4 Headlight cleaners *
5 Warning time relay with gong (USA)
Catalytic converter monitoring unit (Japan)
6 Rear window defogger and seat belts
7 Plug bridge (terminals 56 - 56b)
8 Additional high beams
9 Horns
10 Intermittant action
11 Flashing lights

* - Relays 4 and 5 changed since December 1984.

scotmick · 05:44 AM

Thank you, that's the best layout diagram I've seen. My car has a second fuse panel mounted in front of the one depicted. I have to get under there again and see how it's mounted so I can reach the DME relay.

thekidd · 11-09-2008, 09:36 AM

you will have to take the other fuse panel off to get to the DME. never replaced the DME, but it looks like it would be a tight fit

Lapponia · 11-09-2008, 10:59 AM

Don! If relays haven´t been removed befofore They will STICK in their sockets. It is very difficult to remove them because of corrosion on male and female contacts.
This issue has been up here several times and solution is to wiggle side to side or up and down. It takes time and sometimes a tool of any kind will be needed between relay and socket to pry it out. Disconnect battery first. You will most certain notice this unwillingness from the relays to come out but when they do rub the relay contacts with fine sandpaper, clean and lubricate with so called dielectric grease or vaseline, not much, just to cover the surface of the flags/connectors.
You will also notice when you put the relays back again there will be some mechanical resistance to do this and this will quite often kill some relays by just pushing in one or two flags/connectors into the relay. After that no function from that relay. I have good experience from relay number 1 and 8 in the picture in the other post. These relays are very cheap bad in design. I know because I have made "autopsy" on some of them and other as well. Really bad.
But I can make you a little more happy about your new DME relay if it has the number 89 88 92 on the black can (old one is 89 63 68 in my 1984/944 na). This new relay is a gemstone in comparision with the old one. Put it in and you can run your Porsche for the rest of its life. It´s a remarkable improvement made by the Hungarian manufacturer BUT it still lacks the important transient supressor for the fuel pump. Anyway, drive with it as is and enjoy! Good luck

_____________________________________
Lapponia 1984 944 na

mikepellegrini · mikepellegrini's Garage

The Aux fuse panel mounted in front/above the primary fuse/relay panel is held on with just two screws and is easy to dismount. The slack on the wires isn't a lot, but it will give you relatively a lot of room to work in - make it a lot easier to get the relay out.

They really are stuck in good.

Like Lapponia said, if you can use a tool to pry it off, that'll help but by all means, disconnect the battery first.

scotmick · 11-09-2008, 02:47 PM

Thank you Gentlemen! This is my first 944. I have been rebuilding American Muscle Cars for 30 years, especially Mustangs and I have to say, I always admired the Germans for their engineering expertise, but these 944s are really poorly engineered. EVERYTHING is a project.

Don

nynor · 11-09-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekidd

you will have to take the other fuse panel off to get to the DME. never replaced the DME, but it looks like it would be a tight fit

i didn't have to remove the fuse panel to remove the DME on my '83. is the '85 different?

+1 on the DME relay being a pain to get out. i scraped my hands up pretty good trying to get leverage to pull it.

scotmick · 05:56 AM

Mission accomplished! Again, thank you all for your guidance. I have to say though, that the Engineer who designed this set-up must have learned his trade designing Torture Devices for the Nazis. To Nynor, yes, there is a second fuse panel sitting on top of the area where the first six relays are positioned; it has to come out to reach them, but there is sufficient wiggle room with the wiring harness after removing the two screws that secure it. It's still a PITA!

Lapponia · 11-10-2008, 06:03 AM

Don! When I bought my 944 I made up a loong list of what should be done and must be done just to be certain it would work in my hands after. And it does I´m happy to say. This is quite a stone age piece of car e.g. Flintstone in my opinion. There is that rear suspension I found in my first VW from 1949, yes 1949!! and there are still items that can be traced back to that year with its low quality.
I have had and still have Mazda:s 626 since 1982 and that first car was (RIP) waaay ahead in engineering and quality than my 1984/944. In 190.000 km I had never a breakdown just an empty tank now and then. It was an incredibly car with its beautiful interior, relay, fuses and so on and it had all its horses till the end. So, after all our 944s are not a reason to raise a flag for but they are so EXTREMELY beautiful in its timeless design. I guess that is why we all are willing to break our fingers to keep them in good shape and running.

______________________________________-
Lapponia

scotmick · 11-10-2008, 11:50 AM

Now that it's running again I feel better about it. I recently had all of the body work done and with a fresh coat of Black Paint, it looks beautiful. I'm just not confident enough to take it on a trip, yet. Now for the interior; most parts are missing screws and bolts. That's the next project. Thanks again everybody.