944 Not starting

[Ez_101]

Hi everyone i was wondering if you could help me diagnose a problem.

I haven't driven the Porsche (1984 model) due to the bad weather , now it has cleared up i thought i would take it out, however it wont start now
iv recharged the battery, check the plugs and leads and they look fine.
its turning over but not firing?!
could this be an alternator problem, or something to do with the ignition system?

All help would be appreciated thanks

Elliot

 

[sr.944man]

Hi Elliot, First thought is that 944s seem to need a really well charged battery to start them. If it's been out of use for a while, it may not be up to holding enough charge even after charging it up. Have you got access to a known good battery, or a jump lead start using some good heavy jump leads? Battery seems to me to be the most likely thing to have deteriorated during a period of inactivity. HTH

 

[Alexw]

Has it been sat outside or in a garage? Could be a few things, start with the simple. There is definitely fuel in it []. Check the fuses - fuel pump for instance. Have you got a spare DME you can swap the check that's ok? Check the earths, one at the back of the engine can come loose and do funny things. There's also the crank sensor getting dirty, that's been mentioned on here a few times... You can quickly check to see if you getting spark by taking a plug out, putting it back into the lead and grounding the threaded bit against something you know is grounded like the wing or the engine itself. Get someone to turn the engine over and you should see a spark. Someone mentioned to me this isn't such a good idea any more - something to do with the voltages - but I've done it on mine with no problems. I recall someone mentioning that the fuel separates after being sat for a while, can't remember what that did though, something about a layer of water maybe....??? I'll go have something to eat and think some more, although no doubt someone will come along with a decent answer, instead of pure guesswork

 

[Ez_101]

It is fully charged however after trying to turn it over a few times it seems to been around 9-10 volts now. there is power there to start it, however just not firing...coil pack/alternator/distributor issue?? I may try my VR6 battery later but don't think it is that!?

 

[Ez_101]

ORIGINAL: Alexw Has it been sat outside or in a garage? Could be a few things, start with the simple. There is definitely fuel in it []. Check the fuses - fuel pump for instance. Have you got a spare DME you can swap the check that's ok? Check the earths, one at the back of the engine can come loose and do funny things. There's also the crank sensor getting dirty, that's been mentioned on here a few times... You can quickly check to see if you getting spark by taking a plug out, putting it back into the lead and grounding the threaded bit against something you know is grounded like the wing or the engine itself. Get someone to turn the engine over and you should see a spark. Someone mentioned to me this isn't such a good idea any more - something to do with the voltages - but I've done it on mine with no problems. I recall someone mentioning that the fuel separates after being sat for a while, can't remember what that did though, something about a layer of water maybe....??? I'll go have something to eat and think some more, although no doubt someone will come along with a decent answer, instead of pure guesswork

Hi Alex, Yea its got half a tank it there, its been stood outside during the bad weather. i dont know where the fuel pump is iv not been a 944 owner for long I also dont know where the DME is or what it looks like to check. There is a small silver covered square attached to to what looks like the coil pack?! looks like a small relay? Earths look fine, and so do the fuses. I would replace the spark plugs but my local halfords dont do them for my age 944, so i dont know where to get new ones!?

 

[Alexw]

I meant the fuel pump fuse sorry -that going would let the engine spin without firing. How does it sound when turning over? If it sounds lethargic then try jumping it, if it spins ok then maybe the battery is good enough for the job. I wouldn't worry about replacing spark plugs - they wouldn't all go at once. The DME relay is a little black box that plugs into the fuse box... Its at the top right next to the blade fuses, looks like this. It handles the power to the fuel pump and DME. Theres a guide on Clarks that'l help - http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/ign-01.htm

 

[Ez_101]

Thanks Alex, ill try jumping it tomorrow. I've got the old style fuses, so i will look for the relays tomorrow too! I have no idea were the fuel pump is located but will try and inspect tomorrow too. Thanks for the help will let you know how i get on!

 

[smiffyraf1]

i know its a long shot but id had trouble with mine starting recently and thought it was cold weather/battery/fuel problem then after advice from here unclipped the distributor (2 second job) and my rotor had melted away could be worth just checking

 

[Ez_101]

Thanks buddy, i will also check this in the morning!

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Hi Elliott I have an ok dizzy cap and arm if you want to try them Mike

 

[Ez_101]

Hi Mike! Hope all is well!! Yeah that would be a great help if you dont mind me trying it? however as its not starting im struggling with transport atm!

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Doing great thanks - may be able to drop them round (and maybe play a bit!) tomorrow Mike

 

[Ez_101]

you be a star if you could mike thanks!! do you still have my number, ill be on the car all day weather permitting!

 

[steves944]

Funny as I had this problem about 3 weeks ago. I had been away a while and came back to a frozen car and flat battery. So I dug it out of about 4 inches snow and thawed out the interior! Recharged battery and tried to start her up. Engine turned over but no spark. Checked fuses, fuel pump, everything.. Then I remembered that I had fitted a immobiliser switch under the armrest just before Christmas! Works fine now. Lol

 

[wayner007]

ORIGINAL: steves944 Funny as I had this problem about 3 weeks ago. I had been away a while and came back to a frozen car and flat battery. So I dug it out of about 4 inches snow and thawed out the interior! Recharged battery and tried to start her up. Engine turned over but no spark. Checked fuses, fuel pump, everything.. Then I remembered that I had fitted a immobiliser switch under the armrest just before Christmas! Works fine now. Lol

Ha ha ha if only mine was that simply funny though.

 

[Ez_101]

All sorted now thanks guys... A BIG thank you to Mike for helping me out and with replacement parts... Needed a jump start but then it was misfiring, so we checked plugs, which will need replacing but not really bad atm, check the dizzy cap and arm, and Oh dear! I think Mike may provide pictures, to say the least it was in a bad way! so we changed it over and boom, started first time and sounded sweet! Next up oil change, new spark plugs and leads!! Thanks again Mike!

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Hi Elliott Pics on [link]http://s787.photobucket.com/albums/yy158/A9XXC/mIKES%20oDDS/DizzyCaps/[/link] I think the engine must have been lifted by the dizzy cap! - both of the locating pins are very bent - which moved the cap relative to the arm and as you can see left gouges in the cap below the level of the contacts on one side and must have been missing the opposite 1 entirely! I'm just totally amazed that it started at all! Hopefully it has cured a long standing missfire too. Hope you'll be over at Rutland on the 31st Mike

 

[Ez_101]

Thanks agian Mike.... Those pictures are really shocking of the dizzy cap lol i too am suprised it ever ran!