electrics question....

Guest · Aug 23, 2006

i am in the process of making my 86 944 turbo roadworthy (will take a while as I have one and a half pages of faults :O(

there are a lot of electrical faults on my list and I'm not that good with auto electrics, but have read somewhere that a reconditioned ECU can fix a lot of electric faults? Can anyone advise if this is true of if any of the following faults are connected:

Horn inoperative (can hear clicking from under glove box)
Washer Jets and Headlamp washers inop
Boost guage inop
Left side light inop
Both side repeaters inop
No plate light inop
Interior boot release inop
Rear wiper inop
There is also a problem with my alarm (an old Sigma M30 I think) which operates the central locking, but when I lock and arm the car it continues to bleep about 20 times then the alarm sounds (really embarrasing as the only way to lock the car is to let the alarm go off then click the button again to disarm it!)

Any advice appreciated

Regards
Matt

John Sims · Aug 23, 2006

Hi Matt,

Who ever suggested that a reconditioned ECU will fix a lot of electrical faults is obviously trying to flog you a reconditioned ECU (if there is such a thing?). If that is the case you had best take him out back for a good kicking. Its not an ECU on a 944 Turbo, it is a DME and KLR any way.[

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None of the faults you list has anything to do with the engine management computers at all - with perhaps the exception of the boost gauge.

Most sound like corroded terminals and poor connections.

Unfortunately electrical problems are often only solved with boring methodical fault finding but you could try testing bulbs, removing bulb holders, and cleaning up connections for a start.

The alarm may well be a bad door, bonnet or boot switch connection.

The boost gauge may be a blockage in your pipe going to the KLR. This needs looking at a bit sharpish as it could mean the engine management isn't seeing, and fuelling for, the changes in boost pressure.

Obviously the above is only my opinion and I leave it to those far more learned than myself to comment further.

PSSST Anyone want to buy a reconditioned Porsche ECU. [:-]

Guest · Aug 23, 2006

I suspect a lot of those will most likely be poor / corroded grounds and connections. The wiring isn't one of the better things in a Porsche - especially after the ravages of almost twenty years. I think the boot hatch might be similar in construction as the window switches - which can often be fixed by pulling them apart and cleaning off pitted contacts within.

Washer motors may be shot or have corroded contacts that can be cleaned with fine Swiss files and wet n' dry paper.

The jets often block (a syringe needle is pretty good for cleaning nozzles I've found) and the non-return valves foul - especially if the reservoir has gelled gunk at the bottom (needs flushing out.). I've always been able to fix these with Halfords parts - including the pumps (with a little ingenuity re adapted bracket mounts).