944 will not start

Wesley Yee · 09-25-2005, 07:56 AM

Porsche was working till I accidently bump into it. The horn alarm went off for 30 secs, then stopped. When I tried to start the car, it will not turn over, as if the ignition kill switch is on. I remembered the alarm horn went off thinking the alarm might be on. I went to the turn the alarm on / off and nothing happen. Why will my car not start, any ideas.

carsonmx114 · 09-25-2005, 08:46 AM

what did you bump into it with? is it a factory alarm? does the engine turn over?

Wesley Yee · 09-25-2005, 11:07 AM

I was adding some antifreeze fluid and slightly bump the car with my knee. All of a sudden, (first time ever) the alarm horn goes off. I didn't know how to stop it, but after 30 secs the horn went off by itself. I asked to myself why would the alarm horn go off when I didn't set the alarm. I tried setting the alarm and opening the door, the alarm didn't go off which further my suspicions that the two might be tied together somehow. I wonder if the alarm fails, does it fail open (meaning it doesn't work) or fail closed (which arms the unit, which is why I want to know how do I disarm the alarm system!)

carsonmx114 · 09-25-2005, 11:23 AM

is it a factory alarm with the separate key in the drivers quarter panel? most alarms will rearm if their set off and allowed to cycle through without being turned off. try locking and unlocking the door with your key. if your alarm is oem it should have gone off when you opened the hood. aftermarket alarms will go off when they first get power to them. like if you disconnected the battery then reconnected it, that would set off the alarm. is your battery dead?

Wesley Yee · 09-25-2005, 02:35 PM

thanks for the info. it is a factory alarm with the separate key. I tried turning the key on and tried setting off the alarm by opening the door and nothing. I also tried disconnecting the negative terminal, lefted it alone for an hour and nothing. The alarm does not work and neither does my car.

carsonmx114 · 09-25-2005, 03:28 PM

the factory alarm brain in my car is above the computers in front of the glove box. i wouldn't have thought that the factory alarm had a shock sensor but maybe it does. did you say if the motor would turn over or not. what is the condition of your battery? have you checked the fuses? maybe when the alarm went off it overloaded a circuit.

Wesley Yee · 09-25-2005, 04:06 PM

I don't think there is a shock sensor. The battery is in good condition, in fact, I have it hooked up to a charger as well. The motor wants to turn over, and it has been turning over, till this incident. I am speculating, but it appears there is no ignition or fuel. My bet is still on the alarm system. I also like your idea on the fuses. I will check this as my next step.

Wesley Yee · 09-25-2005, 07:29 PM

I just finish checking all the fuses they appear to be ok. I was reading some of the other posts and I went to www.clarks-garage.com and looked up "bypassing alarm system". In the introduction, the 1st paragraph stated "sometimes engine starting and running problems can be caused by a faulty alarm module." It indicated that I should bypass the alarm system, to see if this "could" be a cause why my engine would not start. This would at least eliminate if this is the problem!

Eldorado · 09-26-2005, 12:58 AM

does your starter crank at all? or is your car just DEAD and not do anything when you turn the key in the ignition?

Wesley Yee · 09-26-2005, 07:11 AM

Hi, thanks for input, thanks to all. I finally solve the problem and I feel great. When I went to www.clarks-garage.com, speculating it was an alarm problem, this website provided a detail description on how to disarm the alarm module. I am not a mechanic but I can follow instructions. The instructions told me where to look, provide illustrations on what to do and whala, the car turned over. The alarm module if faulty apparently fails closed, meaning it will disarm the car. I'm happy that I don't have to tow the car to Porsche and happy that I don't have to pay them the $ 150 / hour just to look at the car.

Eldorado · 09-26-2005, 09:14 AM

hey wesley, I have a starting problem with my car too...
before you fixed it, when you turn the key - what happened? did it crank at all? or did it not do anything at all?

Wesley Yee · 09-26-2005, 02:53 PM

When I turned it on with the key, the car wanted to turn over, you can almost feel the car wants to start but something is preventing from turning "on" . It was lacking the spark or ignition, which I believe the alarm module prevented this from happening. I hope this helps.

Eldorado · 09-26-2005, 03:47 PM

helps tons.... i now know it's not the alarm.

thanks wes...