83 928S just died

[Hugomaz]

Hey everyone, I have an 83 928S 4.7l auto. I was driving along and the engine died, I suspect a fuel issue, (yes it has gas) it will turn over but not start. If it sits for a few mins it will fire but only for a brief second and then nothing. Any ideas?

[Landseer]

Fuel pump would be high on the list.
I'd jumper the fuel pump relay for a couple seconds with car off to determine if the pump runs or not (listen).

Also check the fuse.(if its blown, chances are the pump is bad/jammed, though the pump can fail and not blow the fuse )


Am assuming your timing belt and water pump are fairly recent. If pump seized and timing belt sheared some teeth, same symptoms could occur.


By the way ---- Has this 83 had all its fuel lines replaced??
You've given no history about the car.
Not sure, too, if you are up to speed on what we've learned, in some cases the hard way, in the last few years as the cars have aged.

[Hugomaz]

Timing belt is just done, I was thinking fuel pump as well but didn't get a chance to test just yet. What's the story on the fuel lines? Checked the fuses and they seem ok, also changed out the relay as Ihave a parts car. Hey, another strange thing is I recently did an oil change and put in the recommended amount of oil, I think it was 7.5 liters and it showed the right amount on the dipstick but after ran the car it shows just over the add mark even if I wait for an hour and check again. Still the best car I have had, especially for the $47.13 purchase price.

[lfausty]

fuel lines story aged rotted = fire . must not be taken lightly replace!!!!!!!!!! , 30r9? fuel pressure hose - take a length and id/od all sizes to, napa? buy correct footage, or a kit can be purchased.

[Landseer]

Good price!

The 928 is deceptive. Looks complicated, acts like its dead or dying. But with a little research and a few tweaks, most can run like you've filled radiator with the fountain of youth.

More about fuel lines, building on lfausty's post:
High volume fuel pump. 40 psig. Hardened, aged, stiff cracking flexible rubber fuel lines.

The fires that have happened, and there have been hundreds of 928, 944 and 944 turbos that have burned, are violent, extremely hot, instant and unstoppable. No exageration. Not sure why NTSA hasn't taken these and other early cars off the road. This has been going on for years, and still every car I've brought home has still had original fuel lines.

Several of us have done fuel hose replacement write-ups. The 928-only parts suppliers (928 Intl, also 928sRUS ) make kits with appropriate fuel hose material, selected for bend radius and burst pressure.

Most parts stores are clueless. They stock 30R6 fuel injection hose which is insufficient despite its pressure rating. 30R9 is minimum we've used.

83 has 8 50mm short hoses at the injectors, supply hose on passenger side by the hot exhaust manifold and a series of hoses under the air cleaner.

Search here for more information and even pictures of various installs.

[Hugomaz]

Well, thanks for all the help. You wouldn't believe, I got a buddy to put his hand on the fuel pump to see if it was working or doing anything and then it started, been driving it all day. You know it's gonna stop again in the middle of a bridge or rush hour. I still suspect the pump but thanks for the fuel line info

[lfausty]

the 928 Faith Healer , lordy lordy lordy,

[Landseer]

Originally Posted by lfausty

the 928 Faith Healer , lordy lordy lordy,

Lawwwwsie-mercy!

Just a matter of time before one of us starts "speakin' in tongues"

[Landseer]

Could also be ground point / fuse panel cleaning.
Particularly fuel pump fuse.

Search-out the 16V ground cleaning thread.
Its for a slightly different car than yours, and is a little wordy, but has some good pictures that you need to see.

[Hugomaz]

Just an update for you guys, the car stopped yet again so I tapped on the FI relay and it started so I cracked it open and ran a little emery cloth on the contacts and she has been running ever since. Thanks again

[Maleficio]

Originally Posted by Hugomaz

Just an update for you guys, the car stopped yet again so I tapped on the FI relay and it started so I cracked it open and ran a little emery cloth on the contacts and she has been running ever since. Thanks again

Buy a new relay, install, and keep that one in the glovebox.

[neil30076]

Originally Posted by Maleficio

Buy a new relay, install, and keep that one in the glovebox.

+1, most common cause of the ' died - now it won't start - now it does' problem.

[JK McDonald]

Hey Hugomaz, After initially getting Miss Purdy (84 928S) up on her feet I had a similar problem with the fuel pump suddenly stalling out the car. After replacing the fuel pump, refurbishing the fuse panel and replacing the fuel computer power (XVI) and fuel pump control (XVII) relays - I also soldered up a couple of relay replacement jumper wires. For the jumpers I used crimp-on style male spade connectors which you can easily plug into the female side of the relay socket without damaging it.

Under the fuse panel wooden door of both my 928’s I now carry a photocopied diagram of the component layout and indicate which socket pins of the fuel computer and fuel pump relays to jumper if necessary. Although perhaps a bit paranoid - I leave a baggy of spare fuses/jumper wires and one of those $14 Harbor Freight multi-meters under the floorboard as well.

I got one of those blank “That’s What Cell Phones Are For” stares from the wife when I showed her where to find the spare fuses. So far I haven’t jinxed myself for having all this stuff on hand.

Good Luck, Michael

[Hugomaz]

Thanks to all of you, amazing response. Now another question, the car is running fine but I think its running too hot. In stop and go traffic it will go right up to the red, no lights but this cant be right, I even jumpered the electric fan with a fuse and I think it's not right. And it has a new thermostat. Where should the needle be on the gauge? The car has a few little issues but I wouldn't trade it for anything except a newer one, these cars really turn heads and sound awesome. Thanks again