Engine stall/no start '87 944 140k

[Sales101]

Hello to all. I have a '87 944 N/A 5speed that recently died while running errands this past weekend and need some advice.

I was pulling out of Target and it stalled and would not start. It turned over fine but would not run so I had it flatbedded home. Here are some essential notes that may help to diagnose:

-Purchased car October 2010 w/140k (one owner)
-Replaced belts/rollers/all fluids
-Replaces spark plugs
-Have filled almost empty gas tank w/93 Prem fuel
-Has been running perfectly for 1 week since replacing all belts and rollers. Put on approx 175 mi.
-Battery is showing roughly 14 volts. Has been on Battery Tender since Oct. Battery is 1 yr old.

Initially, after doing belts and rollers, I forgot to plug in Air Flow Meter plug so car would start and then die. This symtpom now is different where car will not actually start; it will just crank (with oil pressure showing OK).

Any thoughts? I checked AFM plug, reference sensor, spark plugs, distr cap, all to no avail. ICV? DME?

Thanks! You all were extremely helpful in diagnosing my last issue.

Frank

[krystar]

u didn't check the DME/fuelpump relay

[Sales101]

Originally Posted by krystar

u didn't check the DME/fuelpump relay

I actually replaced the DME/Relay and that had no effect. Would a bad fuel filter be the case of a stall followed by a no-start? It will crank and the tach will jump but it will not fire.

I checked the rotor cap and it looks to be in good working order. Reference/speed sensors seem OK as well. It literally died all of sudden about 15 seconds after starting and previously running perfectly while running errands.

[Techno Duck]

Check these 3 things because at this point its just a guessing game..

Are you getting spark? Stick a screw driver into the coil wire and ground it close to the intake or get a spark tester.

Do you have fuel pressure? Hook up a gauge to the fuel rail

Are the injectors firing? Get a noid light or pull the rail off and put each injector into a water bottle.

[968 GUY]

See if the rotor came loose.
Just for sh... & giggles, make sure the belt/s are still on.

[John_AZ]

The beginning...

Does your tach needle bounce 1/16th of an inch when you grind the starter? It must.

If it does not bounce when you initially turn the key to grind the starter, the DME computer is not getting the signal from the reference sensors.

Next...

Check the cable connections of the reference sensors and clean them.
Tap the DME computer softly and grab the DME connection cable and tug and push on it (no remove)

Now try to start.

GL
John

[Cocacolakidd]

Check fuel pressure - sounds like the fuel pump is out - yep, they go out quickly (No warning) and the car dies in place. Easy replace - in back under near the fuel tank covered by a skid plate for safety.

A easier way to check for fuel is to use a little Starter Fluid sprayed into AFM (Air Flow Meter). If it runs a little and then runs out of the Starter Fluid quickly means no fuel to motor.

+1 ^ for all the above posts also.

[Sales101]

TechoDuck: Thank you I will try those three items this weekend (spark, fuel pressure, injectors).

968 Guy: I checked the rotor and all seems in working order, including that spring loaded pin inside. I will check the belts as I did a complete Contitech belt/roller replacement 200mi ago.

John_AZ: I do get the tach bounce when I try to start. I'll try getting a second helper and tapping the DME computer and sensors.

Cocacolakidd: That's what I believe to be true, is that the fuel pump is shot and just died without ANY warning. I may just go ahead and order a replacement pump and filter while I'm at it. Don't know when it was done as I acquired the car in October with minimal records and 140K on the clock.

Thanks to everyone...I'll post an update as I work through these items this weekend.

Frank