Please help my new owner fix me?

[Black Beauty]

My previous owner who had me for many years but rarely used me, has passed me on to his son as he can't be bothered to fix my problems, I'm not terminal but I need a little bit of maintenance so I can feel like new again

1. I don't restart when I'm hot. All the electrics work but I won't fire, my new owner thinks its the auto choke, but although he's keen he does really know why what he's talking about.

2. I have this braking problem also, in that I don't. When the brake pedal is first pushed I will stop but the pedal is mushy and will go to the floor, but if you pump it once or twice then the pedal is nice and firm and I'll stop on a dime, what could be wrong with me?

3. There's this really annoying hazard light switch which is on ever so slightly all the time. Whilst it doesn't turn on the hazards, what it does is it reacts with a relay, my owner thinks, behind the glove box and makes this horrible buzzing noise so loud that my owner can't hear the purring of my lovely engine........please make it stop.

Thanks people

Black beauty []

 

[944Turbo]

1) not sure, mayb a lack of fuel pressure.
2) Air in brake lines
3) new switch? try disconnecting and see if it still does it

 

[Guest]

The relay that causes this problem for me is the one that controls the wipers. Second from the right on the second row, behind the glove box. If you pull it out, you'll still have wipers but no intermittant wipe and no auto park which can be tedious.

 

[Guest]

"makes this horrible buzzing noise so loud that my owner can't hear the purring of my lovely engine"

When you hear this noise is the oil pressure were it should be? And not on Zero? When theres a loss in oil pressure a loud buzzer will sound.

 

[Chris Goodman]

The brake problem sounds like the system needs bleeding and / or the fluid needs changing. If you don't change the brake fluid for a couple of years or more it can absorb moisture, or if you use the brakes so hard and so frequently that the fluid gets hot enough (track days for instance) the fluid 'boils' and water vapour mixes with the fluid. Water then boils away when the brakes are used to be replaced with air. Air can also enter the system if the fluid level gets too low. Anyway, when you've got air in the system unlike hydraulic fluid it compresses when you press the pedal first time giving the 'spongy' pedal feel. If bleeding or replacing the fluid doesn't cure it then you've probably got a defective slave or master brake cylinder that's allowing air in past the seal.

 

[Diver944]

1. This is common in 924's but I haven't heard of it on 944's. A lot of ignition problems often point to the DME relay which switches the fuel pump on. A new one is under £20 from an OPC or parts places and most owners carry a spare.

2. Definately sounds like new brake fluid is required. This should be changed every 2 years on any car.

3. The black dash panel where the hazard switch is located comes off really easily so you can check the connections behind. Follow part of this guide http://www.titanic.co.uk/FAQs/FAQ28_944DashTrimRemoval.html []

 

[Black Beauty]

Cheers guys for your replies.

I've yet to take a picture of the beast because she's covered in grime but hopefully this weekend I will and I think you will all be green as she's stunning, black all over and in excellent nick.

The old man had her for years, about 14 years, and in that time he only put about 8000 miles on her (guess how few miles she's done in total, she's a 1984 model) and she's got those fab 5 star pastry cutter wheels - can you tell I'm in love [] I've already had soooo much fun driving her that it's so difficult to put her down and I really must get those brakes sorted!!!!!

I'm going to be posting a few questions on here over the coming weeks so I hope I don't push your patience with basic questions [],
ie whats the green button on the floor that's next to the handbrake
what does OPC mean? and if it is an after market spares dealer which one should I use?
Also, in view of the age is there anything in particular I should be looking at?
Is the Haynes manual any good or should is there another book I can use?


In reference to your replies about the starting from hot issue, the old man says he has replaced some/all of the relays - is there anyway I can check from the descriptions on them to see if they are original parts from manufacture or after market (ie is he telling me porkies?). Over the weekend I will re-start it from hot and then give you a description of exactly what I hear is happening, to see if that helps with the answers, and I will also check the relays you've mentioned.


Sorry for pushing my luck with the volume of questions,
Thanks awfully guys

Spence

 

[Guest]

Hi Spence,
I hope i don't read about you in 'The News of the World' about absene activities with you 944, .
She sounds lovely and can't wait to see some pics when you've polished her up.
I'm not sure what the green button next to the handbreak is, but someone here with an early 944 will tell you. Might be the ejector seat button[]
OPC stands for Official Porsche Centre. As for the hot start DME/Fuel pump relay issue, the part number should be 993.615.227.00 and is tucked away right under the passenger's side. Have the car checked over by a specialist to get a good idea of what needs doing. Try this link for spares. www.porscheshop.co.uk

Good luck

 

[Diver944]

Due to the age and low mileage it's possible that many of the rubber parts will have hardened or stiffened. Things like suspension bushes, brake pipes, calliper seals, coolant pipes etc. One v. important thing is the cam and balance shaft belts. If these are older than 3 years you really should replace them and at the same time be prepared for the water pump and the rollers that the belts run on.

here are the parts places I keep an eye on:

http://www.berlyn-services.co.uk run by Bert Gear who is the clubs 944 tech rep. Very helpful
http://www.porsch-apart.co.uk/ run by Simon Butterworth also very helpful and knowledgable
http://www.design911.co.uk
http://www.porscheshop.co.uk
http://www.type911.co.uk

The Haynes manual is not as good as most Haynes (some call it the book of lies). It was written for the early cars only so some sections will be good for your car