Odd Issue - Please Read
 

I have my 1990 964 out here in NYC for the holidays. We've had rain and when I came out this evening to run the car it had been out in it. After warming the car, I pulled off for about a 15 minute drive to a party. While on the highway, the car lost power, then power returned, then lost again. I pulled over, checked the engine, everything looks fine, no smoke, etc. I turned the car off, back on again, and drove off only to have the car repeat the issue.

Has anyone experienced something like this?

Thanks for any feedback.

DME Relay?
Water in the Disty.
Water in the gas.

Just initial guesses...

thanks Don. It might have been something from the rain. On the ride home last night NOTHING happened. so strange. the only other odd thing was that the oil can level was moving up and down....

I had the same symptoms a few years ago on a very raining night and it turned out that the O2 sensor was having problems with water entering through the top. I changed out the sensor and no more problems..

my $0.02

-CKKrause

thanks. I just drove the car today and had no problems at all. We have to drive about 1000 miles back to Indiana later in the week so I have my fingers crossed that this was an electical matter which was caused by water and which is now gone. time will tell. wish me luck.

James, Try cleaning your battery cable connections. If that doesn't help it probably needs to be done anyway. Good insurance for a long trip.

If you need anything like a garage or some assistance, just let me know. I am not far from NYC and will assist with anything I can.
sleder@ix.netcom.com

thanks for your offer, I appreciate it.

I did just replace the battery and checked all associated connections. Having driven the car a number of times since this happened I am of the view that the issue was related to water and maybe a sensor or something. The car has a cone filter and not an airbox so I even wonder if the MAF got a little wet or something. Not sure.

We leave early Friday AM for a long drive back to Indiana. Wish us luck!

May the luck...force be with you! If anything changes between now and then just send me an email directly. I have truck / trailer and extra room at the Inn.

wow! you are very kind. thank you very much. I just drove her, seems like she is running well.

definitely sounds like an aftermarket o2 sensor. Porsche put waterproof sensors in the 964.
lots of similar stories on rennlist over the past few years.
Once it is dry you will not have any problems.
I know this weekend we are expecting rain on the east coast. You may be driving into it.
May want to change out the sensor. Pretty easy job and I don't think they are too expensive.

Good luck on the drive back.

thanks. we made it back ok but didn't run into any ran. I will change it ASAP.

thanks a bunch guys - this board gives me faith in my fellow man (except for the cop that gave me a ticket today...)

Try unplugging the O2 sensor, if that is it it will run better without it than with a shorted wire.

Also could be large gaps in your dist cap/rotor or burned contacts. Humid air may be less conductive than dry so if the gap is larger than spec, there might be a weak spark in the rain. Might crack that open and have a looksee.