Sometimes starts, sometimes nothing, ignition switch bad?

rhineland944 · 02-08-2009, 11:27 PM

Hello all,
I am having an issue w/ my 89 944 Turbo: Sometimes, I'll go to start it, turn the key, and NOTHING happens. Dash lights come on, but no noise, no clicking, nothing. Battery was kind of dead after sitting for a couple months, but put a full charge on it w/ a charger, and dash meter reads around 12V.

Sometimes, though, I'll turn the key and it'll start right up, no issues

From reading other posts, I think its either:
1. Loose cable to the starter
2. Solenoid
3. Ignition switch

Does this sound right?

Thanks much.

Outback Porsche · 02-08-2009, 11:59 PM

Sounds about right, but add factory alarm to your list too.

jmancool · 02-09-2009, 01:47 AM

My 1989 944, you turned the ign key and nothing - no dash lights or anything. I thought it was a flat battery. I checked the battery and it was fully charged. I then turned the ign key on and off again, the switch felt a bit grindy but the ignition light came on and the car started. I replaced the ign switch and haven't had a problem since today. (touch wood)

shinrai · 02-09-2009, 01:56 AM

try replacing your ground to engine cable. simple fix to begin with. 'had the same problem one time. it might look good and "ohm" out properly but corrosion internally may cause this phenomenon

rhineland944 · 02-10-2009, 05:14 AM

thanks for the help. i'm thinking its less likely the ignition switch since every time i turn the key, the dash lights come on, just occasionally no noise from the starter.

i'll check out the ground cable too, and cross my fingers that its not the alarm.

thekidd · 02-10-2009, 10:08 AM

That starter wire is an easy fix. It it the white wire that goes to the (+) red battery lead. To check the tharetr soleniod, just take it to an auto parts store and get it checked for free! I've been there 4 times in the last week and didint buy anything. Ignition switch was an easy job to test, but mine is an early car, easy to get to the ignition switch. Take the ignition switch out (www.clarks-garage.com), put the key in and turn to ignition position. Take a ohm meter, I forget the points, but you shoukd get an infinate number right away, then all of a sudden you should get practically .0ohms. The battery should be a little higher than 12.0DCVs. Go to the parts store and have them test/charge it, FOR FREE! Also, another thing I hear about intermitent starts are caused by faulty reference/speed sensors. They are located be hind the intake manifold, near the oil cap. 2 wire with spade connceters going into 1 wiregoing into the fire wall. Do a search for pictures, saw some the other week. DME relais?? Hope this helps.