996 won't crank - DME fuse ?

[bradley]

Hi,

New to posting on this forum - but use it regularly for useful info.

Had a problem with a variocam solenoid recently which shorted out - began to smoke - but I got the car turned off before any further damage was done.
Disconnected the solenoid valve a few days later - car started fine - but stalled after driving only 8 miles. All dash lights came up - won't crank now at all - battery good etc etc. Engine won't crank at all - just hear a small @click@ coming from rear lhs of engine bay - just before turning the key to the start position.

I have read a recent thread (by 222lotus) which indicated a similar problem with a solenoid valve which resulted in the DME fuse blowing.
Can anyone point me to where I can find the DME fuse - so I can check if this has failed. Checked all my info here (including Richard H's very useful 996 guide) but no mention of a DME fuse anywhere. Is it called something else ? My car is a 99 996 tiptronic.

Strangely, my litronics light levelling system also miracilously came back to life since the car stopped ? I know it was not working beforehand. Not sure if its related - maybe a bad earth strap or something - but strange anyway.


Hopefully someone can help.

Aidan.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Welcome Aiden!

It is fuse C1 which protects the DME (Engine Electronics). See here: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=280290

I've heard of a few cases of the wires running to the Variocam solenoid chafing through and earthing out, causing the fuse to blow.

If the fuse is blown, check the wiring. It is more likely to be that than the solenoid itself. Disconnecting will make it run very rough at idle, and be sluggish above about 4500 rpm. When the solenoids fail, they usually go open circuit, not short to ground.

 

[bradley]

Thanks for the quick reply Richard - I was searching for DME - notice now its labelled as Engine Electrics.

As regards the solenoid valve, the plastic around the cable entry to the solenoid had started to melt, causing a lot of white smoke, so I think it was short circuit in the solenoid assembly rather than the wiring, but my Indy will replace it and confirm this later.

My car was well looked after by the previous owner Min Chew - this is the first problem I have had in my 2 years of ownership - so I can't complain !

Thanks again.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

No problem Aidan (sorry about that)

I'm sure your indy will get to the bottom of it, and hopefully it won't be too expensive. As you say though, not bad if that's the only expense in two years. Min cherished the car, as you have no doubt found from his DIY's and Running Reports.