87 944 won't start

[944 Erik]

Hey Guys,

First I want to say how much I have gained from these postings before joining. I have a '87 Porsche 944 non-turbo. Has ran great no problems. Drove it last on Friday. Went to go to the store and the engine will crank, but no va-room. I have read from previous postings about fuel relays, mass flow sensors and such. I am kinda new to the Porsche's and want to learn as much as I can. What I am looking for is some basic TS that I can do to start the process. Should I pull the plug on the end of the fuel rail to see if I am getting gas up to that point? Thank you!!

[ADRENALINE911]

If you do a search under the search forum function and type in no start you will get a number of posts to look through which can give you a lot of information.You can also go to Clarksgarage.com and there is a whole section on diagnosing a no start problem.I would check the DME relay first which on your car is under the hood in the fuse and relay box near drivers side firewall.The underside of the cover lists all fuses and relays by function and name.They are known to go bad in which the fuel pump will not energize and turn on.I believe they recommend running a jumper wire across two of the pins to see if the car starts.Can't remember exactly which ones though but there are numerous posts about it.I would check and make sure you have spark first before anything.Then it becomes a process of elimination.Spark?fuel?Proper voltage?and the list goes on.I am having problems getting my 84 started also which I have narrowed to the fuel pump or improper voltage(low) going to the pump i believe.I am still learning myself so good luck with yours.Hope this helps.

Jay

[John_AZ]

I agree on the DME/Fuel pump relay check first.
Make a jumper as a spare....
DME Relay Information and Testing

If still no go, look for tach movement when you turn the key and grind the starter. Your tach should bounce 1/16 of an inch. If no bounce check the reference sensors. Clean the connections on top of the engine and take a resistance check.

Speed and Reference Sensors - Checking, Replacement, and Adjustment

You mentioned the fuel rail. When did you last change the fuel filter?

As mentioned read the tech manual on Clark's Garage Home Page

There is a no start page in troubleshooting.

GL & welcome
John

[944 Erik]

ADRENALINE911,,and John_AZ,, Thank you guys!! I was heading in the direction of the DME relay,,i just replaced the fuel pump 2 mos. ago..not for any other reason because it was leaking,,and everything has been working just fine,,it just quit so it sounds like the relay has went bad, easy fix and thank you for pointing out the way to test as far as the jumper is concerned. I will check the bounce of the tach when starting as another step. I see alot of people suggesting Clark's garage and i have found the docs about no start and more!! Thank you again guys and hopefully I can return the favor sometime..

Erik

[John_AZ]

Thanks for the reply.

If your car still wont start---Make sure you check the battery cable connections and the negative ground wire connection on top of the bell housing.

Put a piece of tape over the TDC hole in the bell housing so you do not drop a bolt in the hole

Clean this ground and torque to spec.

Your car was running OK and it should be a normal? fix.

John

[ADRENALINE911]

Your welcome Erik.I learned a lot from this forum also.It's a wonderful thing and saves a lot of time and money.Best of luck and hope you get going soon.

Jay

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

cap and rotor