not starting properly.
 

I just put in a new alternator last night, because of the slow start/no start issues. It fired right up, and quickly. Let it sit overnight, it fired right up this morning, no problem. Got to work, let it sit for 5 hours. Went out to leave, and, it cranks, but would not catch. A student opens the hood, twists the throttle, has me cranking it, and, it fires right up. At this point he tells me not to shut it off until I get home, gives me a laundry list of items I need to buy (over 2000$ worth), and a host of new problems, which he self diagnosed by just looking at the engine, including telling me that the original factory water pump is still on the car. (Can you tell this by looing at it? I mean, it looks brand new, but I don't know.) 2 hours later, I'm home, and he is calling me, wanting me to sell him my car, or trade mine for his non Porsche. Now I'm sitting here thinking 1 of 2 things: he wants my car badly, or he is being genuine and wanting to help me out. I am at a loss, and my husband is at work freaking out because he has to spend another thousand (or more) on parts, and take more time off work to fix it. (this is my daily driver). I need some serious input here. While I don't have a ton of cash on hand, I do have some, and as weeks come will have enough for maintenance for this car. What I need to know is what could possibly be wrong as to why its intermittently giving me starting problems. I have ordered these things for now, in hopes that it could be something simple: new plugs, a fuel filter, and an air cleaner ( I know the air cleaner isn't the problem, but it needs one badly.) Here is another bit of info: when I start the car and it wont catch, the volt meter drops way down to 10. Other times, it's normal, at 13, and fires right up. Any tips? Thanks...

what is the major problem?

you need to start the engine long before it is started properly?

have you changed the plugs?

So its like a hesitation issue? and installing a new alternator cured the problem for a few days right? Might want to check and make sure batter posts are clean and that the ground is good too. I'm not sure 100% but there should be another ground on the rear of the engine near the Oil filler tube that goes to the bellhousing to the firewall of the car. Its a pinky thick braided wire.

Youre voltage should drop when cranking the car. But if the car is not cranking over as if the batter was dead? you might want to check the voltage of the battery it might be on its way out?

Maybe it could be the DME/FUel pump relay guys? not enought fuel pressure to start the car maybe?

is the fuel pump running, when you turn the key, but not crank?


on my 924 the ground cable is not coated with anything.. just plain metal, from motor to firewall.. is there another ground cable from motor to the frame?(besides the battery ground)

It was a hesitation issue...but now it will crank, and not catch, at all...until you manually twist the throttle. (needing 2 people, 1 to turn the key, 1 to be under the hood twisting the throttle). Then there are times it will fire right up, no problem. My issue is that I don't want to be stuck somewhere with it not starting, and, I want to understand why its doing this so it can be fixed. The new alternator fixed the slow start issue. When it wants to, it fires on the first crank now, which before the new alternator it never did. Yes, fuel pump running when the key is turned. The battery was new, the cable ends clean..I do have an extra DME, should I switch it? How does one know if its bad? I love you guys, I wish you all knew how much I appreciate your help...

have you checked the sparkplugs?

sparkplugs wires?
another end of the sparkplug wires? what it is called?(I cant remember)

Dont even think about to sell your car...
My girlfriend is mad to me that I need to fix my 924 so often, but ewven I have only bit of money left.. I dont sell my precious.

so when you push the throtle with you feat, nothing happens?

is it electric gas in 944? :eek:

exactly...when I push the pedal, its as if I'm doing nothing. He hit the throttle under the hood and it started right up. I just went and picked up plugs and filters..am going to change those tonight...I'm just begging the Porsche gods that its something simple for now...if it was the weekend I wouldn't care, I'd have time to tinker then, but for now, I need to count on it to get me from a to b.

Well Start with the simple things like the grounds and checking the plugs before droping any more cash. Once those are known to be good then you can move on. Changing out the extra DME couldent hurt but make sure the One that is in there now isent damaged like corroded or burnt melted connections at the dme harness.

Will do...was just checking in to that, wondering if the intermittent start or lack thereof could be the DME.

[QUOTE=Geosangel;6265059]exactly...when I push the pedal, its as if I'm doing nothing. Your not suppose to push the gas pedal when you start a 944 ,turn the key on for aproxx ten second & try turning it over & see if it will start without pushing the pedal.:)

I think it would be really hard to know the water pump was original unless the belt covers are off ... are they?

you say that it is "as if I'm doing nothing" when pushing the gas pedal is a little confusing.
You obviously drove it home, so the pedal is actually operating the throttle body. Ernie is right, you should not need to push the pedal to get the car to actually start since it is a fuel injected car....unless! there is something wrong with the throttle position sensor(TPS). Bet that is on your list from the student!

Yes these cars do take a bit of care and money to keep running well. If you bought this car to get back and forth to work and not to be your "baby", then a 944 may not be for you, or your hubby. If your student appears to be sincere about wanting the car, and you are in the "just need a car to drive" catagory, then it may be a good deal for you.

If you do want to keep the car and fixer up, then this is a good start. Many of us know the tricks to keep these cars going and are continuously learning more, know where the best price deals on parts are, and where the good used parts can be gotten from trusted "dismantlers" and who to watch out for.

good luck to ya.

Geosangel -
Here are some helpful links I have saved, you may find some help for your current issue in one of them. As always Clarkes Garage is invaluable.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/484996-let-start-no-start-checklist.html
Bennington Motorsports
Home - Porsche 944 Turbo (951) - texasblake.com
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/468963-jacking-points-clarified.html

or with cable like on 924?

I have problem with my 924 cold starting also..
when I start it, it sound like a tractor, runs maybe only with 3 cylinders.. but after pumping a little gas, then it goes a smooth cold runner.. but still there is abit loss of power when releasing the cluths for few moments..

TPS - hummm.

And no it's not an electric cable/wire wrapped around the Throttle body cam...That's just plain silly...although some would try it...ha ha.

Do a check out with Clark's Garage: Clark's Garage Home Page

Do check the throttle position sensor while you are in there.

I cannot understand that, why person need to turn throttle from engine, as it is the same as hitting the gas from pedal with foot?

Geosangel:
are you sertand that no one pissing with you? does your car start on your home? or does it only crank there too?

It does the same thing at home as well. When my husband got home last night, it did it again, and with a few twists of the throttle, (3 to be to exact) it fired right up. This car is both my baby and my daily driver. I will not be trading or selling it. The student was full of it on several things he said, I found this out later when a co worker told me about a conversation that took place after I left. So I wont be listening to him at all...on another note, Clarks Garage is bookmarked, and hubby took off today to work on it, so as we progress I'll update and probably have more questions. You guys are great ;)

Update...new plugs, fuel filter, air filter, and DME. It starts fine while hot, just not when cold, again unless you play with the throttle under the hood.

Did you mess something up when you changed the alternator? Seems like the problem changed after that, I'd recheck everything you did if I was you.