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Intermittant starting problem

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paul@riccall

PCGB Member
Member
Hi,

Hope someone can help.

My 1980 SC has developed a really annoying habit of not starting after short runs. An example is if I nip up the road to get some petrol, after filling up, the car won't start. It's as though the battery has gone flat. You can here the petrol pump kicking in and the car attempts to turn the engine over but nothing. As a result I have to go and ask someone if they won't mind give me a jump start. After a couple of seconds the car starts no problem. The red light doesn't come on suggesting the alternator. I'm not sure if it is a coincidence, but just before it happens the rev counter seams to jump all over the place.


Is the likely cause a sticking relay or is it something to do with the start motor ?

Any help will be gladly received.

Thanks
 
Hi Paul.

I had a similar problem to yours. I went with a group of friends to Reims. All the way there I had no problem. Pulled into our hotel, unloaded the cases, went back to the car, tried to start it, but nothing.
Jump started it and drove off to a restaurant. Came out of the restaurant and it wouldn't start, no sound of the solenoid clicking. Tried again and it started. This carried on for 2 days and then it would only start with a push. Took it in to the Reims Porsche Centre, where they were very helpful, and they found that the solenoid had shattered. The intermittent starting was caused by the occasional connecting of the power strap to the terminal. I had to have a new starter as I was told that Porsche do not sell the solenoid as a separate item.

I hope your problem is resolved by a cheaper outcome.

Regards

Nervy

(Nov 1977 SC Targa)
 
I assume you have checked the earth strap from the gearbox to the car body. Strip down the starter motor and clean it, make sure you clean the drive clutch, it has small ball bearings between the drive and the shaft. These balls stick when the engine is hot and jam the drive clutch, this gives the same symptoms as a stuck or burnt out solinoid. When the engine is cold it starts every time. Give it a try, if you have already had the starter cleaned make sure they have cleaned the drive.
Adrian
 
Thanks for the advice and I will see what I can sort out.

Just fancied a quick run round the surrounding villages and the bleeding thing won't start !

Fingers crossed I can get it sorted ready for the national event at Blenhiem and the Silverstone Classic
 
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