Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi guys, just thought I'd take time to introduce myself and ask a couple if questions.

I've just bought a 1984 944. It's the first Porsche I have owned and I'm treating it as a work in progress.

The first question I have is about the 4 switc
in the centre console. There is a switch that looks like it has symbol for main beam on it but no wires connected. Should it have wires or is it a dummy switch and if so what does it do?

When the car starts from cold it doesn't seem to have a fast idle and runs at about 800rpm is fine when hot but a bit lumpy on tick over from cold. Any ideas?

I'm sure these questions have been asked a million times so sorry if were going over old ground.

Hey Speedy,

surprised you've not had a reply posted yet they're an eager bunch on here for welcoming newbies.

If you want quick answers the search facility on here is great all owners have had some form of problem with their cars so you'll more than likely find a thread related to problems you have as they happen.

Oddly enough the lumpy running when cold was one of my 1st questions, check your vacuum pipes 1st you'll probably find them perished.

No idea on the switches not found a need for them yet, the accelerator and occasional use of the brake is way more fun than switches

Enjoy your car they're a blast to drive and on the days it's in bits like mine is today they're stunning to look at so it's no biggie when you can't drive them

Rest of the gang will no doubt be along soon, they're OK but be warned you'll get dragged down a very dark alley and tickled to near death till you put some pics of the car up and become a full member

Hello and welcome to the TIPEC forum

I'm not entirely sure what the 4 switch you're refering to is on the centre console. It sounds like you're refering to the headlight beam level control adjuster.

A tickover of 800 rpm when warm sounds ok to me. Not sure about the lumpy idling when cold. Jim will be along in a minute who will know.

Get a few pictures of your car posted up. We always like something new to look at.

All the best,

Ben

Hello & welcome! Not sure about the switches as they seem to vary. I don't have head light adjustment on mine. Lumpy idle when cold? Usually the other way around.

Hi & welcome

Switch sounds like the driving light switch on earlier cars which only main beam is on switches the driving lights on/off.

Poor idle could be an air leak or a dirty Idle Control valve. Also worth checking all the ignition especially plugs as these are very sensitive engines to ignition.

Hi and welcome. Sounds like the car has been off the road for a while, so as Jim says, replace the leads, plugs, rotor arm and cap if you don't know when they were last done. How much history does the car have?

If I remember I'll look at my 1983 944 in the morning and see what switches are there, or better still I'll look at the owners manual. Good luck.

Thanks guys that's a great help.

Lee yes it's been lying idle for a couple of years. I've done plugs rotor and cap but not leads. I just feel when she's cold she's not got a fast idle. I thought maybe a cold start sensor or something along those lines. It has a cone air filter on it which I'm going to take off and put back to standard when I find an airbox for her.

Thanks again

Craig

If she has been laid up, best do all the belts as they have a life expectancy too. See if you can find out the service history of the car.

Welcome to the forums.



Jim's right, it turns the driving lights on and off which are situated next to the indicators in the bumper. When on they will come up with main beam and when off they won't but it also stops you from being able to flash your lights with the headlights down.

If you unbolt and life the centre console you'll probably find the wires down there somewhere, if you're still having trouble or you find various wires I'll have a look at the colours of the wires for that switch next time I'm fiddling about with mine.