944s2 Starting Problem

[Guest]

Hi folks,

I wonder if perhaps someone could help me?

My 1990 944S2 ran fine last weekend, but refused to start today.

On my first attempt to start it this morning the engine turned slowly 2 or 3 times only, and then the starter began fast and loud clicking noises (machine gun style). Subsequent attempts have resulted in just one turn of the engine, or none at all, followed by the fast and loud clicking noise.

Having been idle for a week the battery is not fully charged, but usually starts the car if it has been stood for 2 to 3 weeks. I have removed, tapped and replaced the DME relay with no improvement.

Has anyone experienced these symptoms before? I am unsure if the DME relay is faulty, whether it could be the starter motor, or something more serious. I have not tried to push start it yet, just in case it worsens the situation!

Another question for those members living in the Blackpool/Preston area - do you know any garages that are experienced with 944s that would be able to fix the problem?

Many thanks,

Adrian.

 

[hotblack944]

Hi Adrian,

When did you last replace the battery? Sounds like you might be due a new one...

Jim.

 

[Guest]

Hi Jim,

Only bought the car in April, from a dealer - apparently with a new battery!

Would a weak battery cause the noise from the starter? If so, it could well be the problem.

Thanks for your advice - don't know much about car mechanics - just like to drive 'em!

Adrian

 

[RC18B 911 turbo]

when my car needed a newe battery as it would go nearly flat within a day even after a long drive the starter motor would turnover slowly then start to make clicking noises then turn over and start eventually

 

[sawood12]

You can get your battery tested for free at Halfords, might be worth you dropping by if you get her started.

 

[Neil Haughey]

I have had a long running thread on a related topic on titanic. My car has been slow to turn over for the past couple of years and now will not start at all, even though I have a replacement starter albeit could be duff since it didn't look or seem like it had really been a recon job. This has concided with a series of earthing problems coming to light which I am gradually working through. This week I will be under the car testing / cleaning the connections on the starter motor. The location doesn't help, right at the bottom of the car where things will get maximum corosion over the years.

 

[Big Dave]

It DEFO sounds like the battery has gone duff....

Or
Its a earthing problem..
Or
Your starter motor ....

BUT
Try the battery FIRST....

 

[Neil Haughey]

Forgot to say that a constant machine gun sound, sounds like the starter is getting power but is not engaging and turning the engine. I had this problem years ago on a mini and needed a recon starter. On my own car I get a loud click/clonk then nothing and then a 0.5v to 1v or so drop in voltage until I release the key and the voltage rises back to 12v ish. Mine sounds more like a wiring problem whereas yours sounds more like it could be the starter itself.

 

[944cabby]

ORIGINAL: RC18B 911 turbo

when my car needed a newe battery as it would go nearly flat within a day even after a long drive the starter motor would turnover slowly then start to make clicking noises then turn over and start eventually

Exactly the same as mine last year - a new battery sorted it.

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys,

If I was to attempt a jump start from another car, would this determine if the 944's battery is duff or not?

Adrian.

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: ams944

Thanks guys,

If I was to attempt a jump start from another car, would this determine if the 944's battery is duff or not?

Adrian.

Yes, as long as the jump leads are decent and make a good connection at both ends.


Oli.

 

[Guest]

ok, hello AMS, well i had trouble with my lux, it was start fine, then park it 5 mn and woyldn't start, sometimes when hot sometimes when cold, I did get odd sounds from starter.. never i would have thought it was the battery, changed it and since, no problems ( no start probs should i say lol )
good luck.

if you push the car and start it, even if the battery is almost dead, it will start the car, so it's not an indication of battery being good. on the contrary.

for example, my car would start cold, but not hot, it doesn't make sense does it... well it was the battery.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Oli and PJB,

My thoughts were... if I jumper the 944 to my Mondeo, does it, in effect, take the 944's battery out of the equation altogether, thereby helping to identify whether I have a problem with the battery or the starter..

or...

does the condition of the 944's battery still influence things even when jumpered to the Mondeo?

So it's off to Halfords tomorrow for a new battery... or jump leads...

Thanks

Adrian.

 

[Monty2]

Hi can you recall what your voltmeter was showing before the suspected dead battery. If it was just above the 12 volts thats not enough to run the engine and charge the battery, needs to be a strong 13.5 or 14 volts. My cause one brush on the Altenator brush pack worn down to the point it was not making contact (also causes buzzing on radio in tune with the revs). Cure new brush pack from Berlyn delivered in 2 days, volts straight up to 14 and didn't need to change battery.

Worth a look

Paul

 

[wblackw9]

You could try the old fashioned way. Put the car in gear and rock it to loosen the starter, could be stuck also sometimes a gentle tap with a hammer. I had this on a kit car, had a lazy starter so carried a hammer in the boot, when it got stuck a little tap and it was fine. Better to replece but gets you out of trouble!!

 

[xenon]

Presumably that's only for an old-fashioned inertia starter motor. The 944 is pre-engaged.

 

[peanut]

sounds more like the starter solenoid to me either that or a bad connection. All this rain lately could have caused some further corrosion of the wiring connections or the earth strap connections to the engine. I would remake all the earthing and battery connections first before just buying new parts. If the new battery doesn't cure it what will you do ? buy a new starter ?

 

[Peter Empson]

I had exactly the same symptoms a few years ago and as Nicholas mentions above it was the connections on the starter - they're so exposed it's hardly surprising really. So I'd think it's well worthwhile giving them a really good clean before spending out any money.
Best regards,
Peter

 

[Neil Haughey]

I am pretty sure this is my problem on the S2. I have worked through the connections up top as it were. Another note on voltages, you will read 14v or more with the alternator on and 12v and a bit without the engine running. Measuring voltage drops in the system without the engine running is a tried and tested method for tracking various earthing problems. A voltmeter with a continuity test (buzzer) is a nice to have feature because it tells you fairly quickly if a length of wire has a decently low resistance when you are grabling around and don't have time or ability to keep stretching your kneck to look at a screen.

 

[Guest]

Hi chaps, here's an update.

Been to halfords to buy an HCB096 calcium battery (£99). Fitted it last night and she fired up after 1 crank of the engine. It's like having a new car!

Let's hope that the battery remains charged now. Presume the alternator will be the place to look if I have any further problems?

Voltmeter on the new battery is around 13V when running. On the old battery, it tended to rise from 12.5V up to 13V on a longer run. The car is only used at weekends, so the charge drops a bit through the week.

Interestingly the car manual states that it is impossible to bump-start a 944. Any idea why?

Thank you all for your help on this one.

Adrian.
p.s. if anyone in the Preston/Blackpool area does know a local experienced 944 mechanic could they let me know?