Newbie 944

[Gremlin85]

Hello everyone. I just bought mine Porsche 944 N/A today and let me tell you... ****** FANTASTIC!!!
There are a couple things bothering me like the creaky hatch that also kinda leaks at the seal by the roof.
Also, the vibrating Shifter nob (yes, its been replaced AND the new bushing is there... I guess it needs to be adjusted).
The Passenger-side window does not work with either switch.
And sometimes my MPG Gauge workes and sometimes it doesn't.

Here are some pics. Anyone now how i can solve the problems quiclky??? HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!



[img]
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads9/IMG_01301166926304.jpg[/img]

[Gremlin85]

[Tervuren]

Amazing, you have a special 5 cylendor version built by the factory. I've seen two on ebay before.

[pozican]

Originally posted by Tervuren
Amazing, you have a special 5 cylendor version built by the factory. I've seen two on ebay before.

?

[Schumi]

Your power steering looks alot like mine used to- greasy as hell.

Nice looking car. Congrats on the purchase. Judging by your excited remarks I take it you found some twisties right off the bat?

Is that heat tape on the air box? At first I though that's fuggy but then that might not be a bad idea... Keeps the intake air cooler. In theory it would at least.

[speedracing944]

I wish I had sport seats in mine. Whenever I hit the twisties I hold onto the center counsel with my right hand while I work the steering wheel with my left. Boy I wish I had both hands free.

Speedy

[rlollis]

A noisy rear hatch (squeaking or rattling) can be caused by several different things.

Over time, the hatch seals tend to dry out and shrink. As a result, the hatch does not fit as tightly and it can rattle or squeak. If so, this can often be corrected by adjusting the two posts on the rear hatch. To adjust the posts, loosen the lock nut next to the hatch. To tighten the post, turn it clockwise several turns and then tighten down the lock nut. Be careful not to tighten the post to much or the hatch will difficult to latch and unlatch.

Another possible cause is latch mechanism for the rear hatch. The latch mechanism needs to periodically lubricated. Use a good quality grease to lubricate the latch mechanisms on both sides. A combination of lubrication and adjusting the posts will often solve a squeaky hatch

Window Switch Repair
The majority of problems with window switches are the result of dirty contacts. Most of the time, the window switches can be disassembled, the contacts cleaned, and the switches reassembled and they'll function just like new switches. Sometimes however, the switches are worn to the point that the switches will not operate smoothly and they may have to be replaced. (I followed the directions and it fixed mine, now they work perfectly.)

The gear sfift rattle seems to bug alot of 944 owners, I've heard of a couple people even wedging a piece of cardboard inside the knob to stop the rattling.

Make sure the sunroof drain holes are not clogged. You can use some thick weedeater string to rod them out.

Clarks-Garage gives alot help on anything from small to large projects...save the site in your favorites.

[Gremlin85]

ok, so today I worked on the car a bit. I tried to fix the window switches by cleaning the contacts and still nothing which leads me to believe its a bad ground for the motor or the motor itself. The driver-side window works fine but not the passenger with either switch.

The hatch doesn't creak so much after i adjusted the posts a bit.

I fixed my cd palyer and now it can hold memory... constant power and remote wires were mixed up.

I tried to fix the non-working odometer... the gear was replaced, everything looked good. I turned it by hand and it made a click noise... I put it back in the car, backed outta my driveway and it worked... for a mile... and then stopped.

WHY?

Thanks and happy holidays!!!
-John

[rlollis]

Try taking the good switch out see if if works in the "bad" spot for starters

[Gremlin85]

thanks rlollis, I'll try that.

I also got my odometer to work too. But I still don't get why the MPG Gauge works sometimes and not others. I guess its not that big of deal anyway.

[Gremlin85]

hey schumi, what'd ya do about the greasy as hell powerstreering rack?

I was just gonna clean it thinking that it might be from removing the oil filter during changes.

[Eldorado]

the odo gear might have slipped down the shaft a bit... try putting a dab of glue on there to keep it in line..

[Razorback1980]

Pozican, I was with you...didn't get that post. Anway, welcome to the forum and Porsche ownership. Hopefully someone has told you about the necessity of maintenance on these cars. Timing belt, water pump, and rollers should be done as soon as possible if you do not have maintenance records on them to show how old they are. They are good for 30,000 miles or two years. Don't miss it as it's an interference motor and if the belt slips or breaks, you will put a valve into the piston and have major damage. I see you have already been told about clarks-garage.com but here is another site that has some useful information.

http://www.connactivity.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq05.html

If you want to read more, change the 944faq05 to 944faq01 and so on. You will find many knowledgeable and helpful people here and it will make owning this car a much more enjoyable experience.

The rear hatch also has another common problem that causes it to squeak. The window is glued into an aluminum frame and the hatch is supported by that frame. The glue doesn't hold forever and will make the window move in the frame and squeak and LEAK. There is a post by me on here asking how to fix this problem, I think it was about a year ago. A guy named Tim Hancock provided most of the information to me and hopefully it will help you to if that is one of your problems. On mine, I could see a gap between the frame and the window. Look carefully as it isn't real apparent at first.

Good Luck with the car and welcome to the forum.

[Gremlin85]

razorback, thanks. Yeah, the maintenece was already done a couple months ago including tune-up, timing belt, tensioners and belts, alternator rebuild etc. I wouldn't have bought it if I knew it was not done recently. So I got 2 years or 30,000 miles until they need to be done again? that'll come up real quick.

I'll check the hatch glass real close today and go over the car with a fine tooth comb (not literaly).

I am gonna check the switches for the windows today too. I'll post more later.

Thanks EVERYONE!!! and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!!!