'83 died

[baby shark]

Car died doing about 45 mph and i had it towed home. The bid red light on the dash is blinking. Also, the car starts for a second and then dies. Timing belt was done 3k miles ago but never retensioned. I replaced fuel pump relay and fuse but to no avail.

[aluminum]

So do the basic tests / Spark / Fuel
Most likely some Electrical Issue triggered the warning light >> But that's a considerable list .
Grounds
12 Pin Connector > Pass side Fender well
Brain Plug > Pass side Foot well
Wires under hood became disconnected somewhere > like at some switch
Central Warning System Control Box > Drivers Side Foot well >
Ignition Control Box > Pass side Fender well >
Bla Bla Bla
**************
Example : No Spark > trace everything that has to do with the spark >

[JhwShark]

Since the failure...
Does it start and then die each attempt?:
1) Turns over fires (run) then release the key from START and die? or 2)Turns over, runs a few seconds/minutes after releasing the key from START, Runs then dies?

If 1) then it could be the Ballast Resistor in the Run circuit...the car has two Ballasts one for Start and one for Run check it for resistance value if an OPEN then its bad. Black cylindrical (looks like a roll of pennies) with a wire out each end. If not then trace the Run curcuit for other items.

If 2) then lots of choices as stated...in addition to connections (14 Pin, TIU, CCU)check temp switches and alarm curcuit

Others w/ an '83 may have more/better input.

[gbgastowers]

Mine did this when I first got it running and went for a long test drive last year. I had to get it towed home. Turned out it was out of gas......... Gunar

[neil30076]

"the car starts for a second and then dies. "
It is starting on the cold start injector - classic XVI relay failure -
Based on what you saw, i'm guessing it was low oil pressure caused by very low rpm's < 300 will trigger the warning.

For this type of failure, I always suspect the Fuel Injection and fuel pump relays - if they fail you will see exactly this as the fuel stops flowing... relays XVI and XVII


The central warning works like this :
If a problem occurs the "!" will light up or flash.
If you press the "!" and it goes out, its not critical.
If it does not go out when you press it - it is one of 4 :
Low oil level
Low oil pressure
Brake failure
Brake fluid level low.

[JhwShark]

Neil has the best to check first, the FI relay!

I don't have one in my MY, but looking at the current flow for the '83 that is an obvious choice. I believe if you search this forum you will find a relay bypass method to test the circuit; three pins involved for the socket jumper if I recall...

[baby shark]

ok...i'll take the one out of my other '83 that is running and try thanx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[paris]

Hello, Pull fuel pump relay bridge #30 and 87 with a jumper wire and see if Porsche runs

[baby shark]

i replaced both relays(pump and injectors) and didn't work. I thinking it may be the timing belt and it may have stretched causing it to slip a tooth.

[JhwShark]

So when you say it starts then dies...is it really running then it dies?

I would think that if it runs briefly w/out any knocking/missing...then the TB is not stretched or jumped a tooth.

Give some granular details on the starts but dies...how long (in seconds) does it run before it dies and how does it sound when it runs...

[Danglerb]

GREEN WIRE - just dawned on me.

There is a green coax wire that plugs into the distributor and carries the spark signal to the ignition system so the brain knows the car is running, what rpm etc.

Pelican Parts - Product Information: 928-602-907-00-M100

[neil30076]

If it runs briefly enough to be able to see the rev counter show anything it is unlikely to be the green wire -