'89 eletronic read-out codes. what do they mean?

[rockdockona]

My '89 928 would start with out a problem. Then, one day, I attempted to start the car and it would barely turn over, like a dead battery. Engine will start from "Jump" lugs under the hood. But not from jumper cables connected to the battery. The digital read-out on the dash threw the code :

TYP-NO. 04 19,05 1988

I replaced the battery (from 2007) and installed a new battery-to-frame neg ground cable 1 month ago.

The car worked fine until today 2-6-13. The same message codes appeared in the digital dash. Please help! I sorely miss driving my car!

[harborman]

Did you check the main ground to engine block??? It's under the car on my 86 on passenger side. Goes from frame to block, maybe 10" long or so.

[Guest765]

If it starts with the jumper then there has to be a complete ground path at least for the engine because otherwise there would be no ground path for your fuel injection computer to work. Check continuity through your wires to the trunk and check the battery in another vehicle if you don't have the ability to get the battery properly tested. Advance auto does this for free.

[harborman]

Originally Posted by fwayfarer

If it starts with the jumper then there has to be a complete ground path at least for the engine because otherwise there would be no ground path for your fuel injection computer to work. Check continuity through your wires to the trunk and check the battery in another vehicle if you don't have the ability to get the battery properly tested. Advance auto does this for free.

Well, if it starts with the jumper in front, I presume you attached the ground lead to the block, not frame. Other ground points for various electronics are all over the car. However the starter needs a high current ground which would explain why it starts with being jumpered and not from the normal battery connection. Yes, check the battery and ALL ground points. Maybe you do have a bad battery. Check your voltage or have a load test done on it.

[rockdockona]

Thanks for the help. I have time this weekend to check all the ground points and battery health. And yes, I did "jump" in the front, with the neg contact on the engine block. Mark

[harborman]

Nice! One other thing, living in Hawaii the salt air might cause you more trouble with bad connections. There is a drawing on here of all the grounds and there are many!!! Get those larger ones first! Good luck!

[Guest765]

Originally Posted by harborman

Well, if it starts with the jumper in front, I presume you attached the ground lead to the block, not frame. Other ground points for various electronics are all over the car. However the starter needs a high current ground which would explain why it starts with being jumpered and not from the normal battery connection. Yes, check the battery and ALL ground points. Maybe you do have a bad battery. Check your voltage or have a load test done on it.

Perhaps I was not very clear. There has to be a good ground path to the GROUND JUMPER for the electronics to work. That rules out the block ground by virtue of the op placing the ground on the block...




Edit; op check the starter connections first, they are underneath the car pretty exposed after all, I had problems with mine corroding put when I still had the 944. The 944 had the entire positive electric connection for the entire car routed first through the starter then to the rest of the car, I have no idea if the 928 did the same thing.

[SeanR]

The message you are getting on the dash only mean the battery is dead or almost dead.

[rockdockona]

OK. Here is what I found. checking the voltage in the front and on the battery, there was a 1/2+ drop at the battery. Alternator fine, battery new/good. Frame to engine block with good contact. Starter (+) lead clean.

The battery (+) cable to terminal, the two smaller red wires had oxidation/corrosion present. Enough to impair charging and impede current to the starter. All contacts cleaned. On the road again... (sounds like an old willy Nelson song) :-)