Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi,

Just bought myself a 944 just before Christmas, finally got round to joining.

It's a 1989 2.7 has but is badged and is registered as a 944S.....

Runs really well, but i have a few wee problems to sort out, so hopefully can get some pointers on them

• 1: Alternator randomly stops charging especially when there is load, eg heated windows and headlights, started of as a squealy belt but now stops charging according to the voltmeter (no squeal) and I ran out of electricity on the way home one night . I'm guessing voltage regulator / brushes?
• 2: needing new window motors, old plastic gears have been chewed up, can i get these anywhere instead of a new whole motor?
• 3: Oil pressure and temp gauges have loose connection and go to max, behind dash?
• 4: Have to manually lock tailgate by pushing rod across, I'm guessing a missing spring
• 5: Might be running a little rich, will be getting a service soon anyway

some pics

Hi and welcome!

3. You need to clean up the contacts for the gauges with some very fine emery paper. You will have to take out the clock pod (not difficult, 3 multi plugs on the back, 4 screws at each corner, remove steering wheel and cowling first) and you will see four black triangular things held on by a 7mm brass nut. Removing these will expose 2 brass prongs on each one. Clean them up and re-fit and all should be well!

Let me know if you need more info on removing the clock pod.

Haven't a clue about the rest!

Stuart

Hi & welcome Rich running could be AFM or TPS worth checking. Alternator could be brush hanging up or knacked regulator. Gauges could be loose connection on the senders. Personally I'd get a pair of s/h window mechs.

One other thing i forgot, rear wiper doesn't work...




Thanks Stuart, any pointers on where to start on getting it out would be great, still waiting on a manual arriving, but should make a start on that next week




Thanks for the pointers Jim. Alternator is now sorted, the adjuster was not connected at one end, should have spotted that before.... But refitted and now seems fine with everything turned on, steady 13V showing on the gauge.

I'm wondering if someone has removed the thermostat causing it to run cool and hence rich? The heater seems to go colder when cruising at 70 than it is sitting in traffic etc.

Will hopefully get the chance call around a few breakers on Monday and see if i can get a pair of mechs.

Hi and welcome Where are you? There aren't many breakers with 944 in them, except Sulzeruk on this forum. Stuart ( Scam 75 ) knows all about thermostats too. The local TIPEC meeting is in Bo'Ness on the first Wednesday of the month, you will get loads of pointers there, you don't have to come in the 944 to attend. I seen the car for sale in Glasgow and thought about it myself ( for a track car @ Knockhill ). You will need the cam belt done if it is over 4 years old, regardless of mileage. This is a must.

Don't want to sound harsh, but it will do........

Did you have the history checked out before you bought it? It looks and sounds a bit of a hotch-potch to me.

"It's a 1989 2.7 has but is badged and is registered as a 944S....."

What does the V5 say? A 1989 2.7 will be a 2.7 Lux. I don't think you could get a 'S' in 1989, I think the larger engined Lux replaced it.... although hands-up if I'm wrong. I would be very concerned about the copious amounts of black paint on the bottom of the wings and the sills - THE favourite place for rust on these cars.... so what's it covering up? The front bumper is a different colour than the rest of the car. The driving and fog lights don't look right. The rear spoiler is off the very last 944S2 and then the 968. The tyres look a bit too wide for the rims.

If you got it really cheap then fine, but if you paid decent money then take it back.

Harsh I know, but before you start to spend on it......

The car is registered with the DVLA as a 2.7 ltr. But something is not right!!!! It was first registered in this country on the 9th of October 1996? Any guesses what it is?

944S technically finished in 88 but a lot of 944s of all types hung around & it would be quite possible for it to have been reg in 89. To fit a 2.7 into an S is a lot of work so is quite surprising it has been done. Engine number is on the bellhousing flange worth checking out.

Thanks mate, in Penicuik, so trip to bo'Ness should be easy enough. That's likely my plan for it too, strip out the interior




It's came from Ireland with the S badge on it, very likely a complete tailgate of a later car and hence the badge, so on the V5 it says 944S too assume the owner at the time though the badge was correct one for the car, all the numbers tie up so doesn't really matter to me.

It was dirt cheep, sills are solid have just been replaced and sprayed with a coat of paint to tidy them / give a bit protection, the guy who had it before said he had planned to get it painted but had just bought a X5 and was spending his money on that. Chassis are straight no creases anywhere and very little rust underneath if any, solid exhaust, drives well. My logic behind buying it even if it was as bad as you are making out, I have a 1969 Karmann Ghia Coupe and the brakes, suspension, seats and wheels could go on that and rest of the car would break for loads more than I paid for it.

Imported from Ireland then, has first register in UK then, but declared date of manufacture was 1989

The car is an import, I'm glad the guy who sold it was honest enough to tell you. Parts should be ok, Sulzer is close enough to you. You might meet him at the meeting @ Bo'Ness. You should get the summer out it before stripping it. They're fun to drive. There is actually a meeting in Peebles tomorrow, but it is a bit short notice for that. You'll be amazed how cheap parts are from OPC in Ebinburgh.

Hi,thats not a 944S engine,probably 2.7 or maybe 2.5(I dont know of any visual difference between those two).Good to hear the sills have been replaced but why didnt they paint them body colour?There is something wrong at the front and Im wondering if the offside front wing has had a bit of a bump as it seems a bit out of line and the front valence doesnt seem to fit right either.If you got it cheap then thats great but as mentioned above DO get the belts changed as a snapped belt is a ruined engine.Good luck!

Hi Stu

1. Steering wheel off. Pull off horn (watch nose!) then 24mm socket will release the wheel.
2. Clock/heater vent cowling off. 3 screws up into dash above clocks then 4 I think round about the heater vents. Carefully prise out.
3. Remove cowling on steering column, 3 screws, makes it easier to get clocks out.
4. Remove 4 brass coloured screws in each corner of clock pod.
5. Ease clocks out then you will see 3 multiplugs with lugs on each end. Push in the lugs and they come off.
6. Remove clocks from car and lie flat and you will see the 4 black triangular things I talk off!

Refitting is a reversal of removing but don't overtighten any of the little black screws or the ones holding the clocks in or you'll break the fasteners or the trim pieces! Make sure the steering wheel is ultra tight though!!

If you want me to do it give me a shout!

Stuart

You put this up while I was typing, It must have taken me 6 minutes to type 3 lines

I think all your questions have been answered by now! Enjoy your car and have fun

If the car is solid and just had replacement sills, if done well, it would be a real shame to break the car, so many 944s are now rotten.