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Help, 944 won't start.
https://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=7905		 Page 1 of 4
Author:  Porsche [ Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Help, 944 won't start.
Hi guys, I haven't been on here for awhile, but I need to rack your brains.

My 944 S2 has been running fine, that is until yesterday. :( Started fine first thing, ran to the shops, restarted fine, went to the pub for some dinner, then it failed to start.

Called out the R.A.C. but they couldn't get it going and hadn't any ideas why it wouldn't start.

The engine turns over fine on the battery. It's got a strong spark at the plugs and fuel is getting to the plugs. But it won't even attempt to fire.

I've tried another D.M.E. relay and even bypassed the relay by connecting holes 30, 87 and 87b of the sockets, but it still just turns over without starting.

Have you any ideas on what could be the problem?

Thanks in advance, Kev.
Author:  lindsayhbrown [ Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
does the tacho needle bounce ?
Author:  Porsche [ Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
lindsayhbrown wrote:
does the tacho needle bounce ?


Hi Lindsay, :thumbright: Yes, it does. What does that mean?

'hope you and yours are well.
Author:  lindsayhbrown [ Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
means its not the reference sensors, yes we are all well here, and you and yours ? and when will we see you again ?
Author:  Porsche [ Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
lindsayhbrown wrote:
means its not the reference sensors, yes we are all well here, and you and yours ? and when will we see you again ?


The family and I are all well mate. Not sure when we'll meet? Can't make it to the monthly Red lion meets anymore as I'm working a permanent 2 till 10 shift now. We'll most prob' be a the national event. That's if i can ever get the Porsche running again. :roll:

I've phoned up Richard @ clubautosport today and he thinks it might be the actual d.m.e. e.c.u.

He could have a look at the car for me, but at £50 just to trailer it there. And around £200 to replace the e.c.u. I've decieded to get an e.c.u. off eBay.

I've tracked one down for £85 inclusive of postage. (So I hope it's the e.c.u. that's f*cked).

Had any problems or done any mod's on your '44 since we last met?
Author:  AlpineTurbo [ Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
Before anything, check for a spark by taking off one of the leads at the cap If it does not spark, read the next paragraph (although with rotor arms, I'd try the next section regardless). If it does spark, check out the fuel system. Take the plugs out and see if you have fuel. If not (you might try this anyway), try disconnecting one of the Injector leads (Only do this briefly, especially on a car with a cat). If it fires up, it's a surefire sign of it being the Fuel Pressure Regulator at fault.

Finally, when were your Dizzy cap and Rotor arm changed? I have spares you can try. If you are local (I'm in Warwick) I could possibly have a go with you at fixing it. I know some dodgy rotor arms were sold and are still available in certain batches (this can be tested with a multimeter across the arm), or the carbon pin may have popped out of the dizzy cap, again stopping you from having a spark.

Finally, I'd be tempted to do the 'jumper' trick again, and check for fuel pressure in case you have a duff fuel pump.
Author:  J.J. [ Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
Can't add anything useful except to say Good luck & good to see you on the forum again! Check it all out methodically as it's more than likely to be simple rather than the ECU failing. Like the screw on the rotor arm coming out for example. Happened to me. :)
Author:  AlpineTurbo [ Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
After rereading your post I'd be tempted to check out the rotor arm (they can be intermittent) and Fuel Pressure regulator. Whilst there may be fuel, it may not chuck it out at the right rate, so disconnecting the lead may show this problem up if the car starts without one injector.
Author:  lindsayhbrown [ Tue Feb 23, 2010 9:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
Had any problems or done any mod's on your '44 since we last met?[/b][/quote]

no problems (touchwood) or mods since we last met, you'll have to come on the saturday events
Author:  Porsche [ Sat Feb 27, 2010 7:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
Well I got the ECU through the post today, swapped it over and it's still no different. Starting to think that it's the factory alarm now. There's a black box in the boot next to the battery. I've never really paid any attention to it before, but it has a red l.e.d. on the top. Is it supposed to light up when the doors are locked?

If you have a factory alarm fitted to your 944 could you please have a look for me?

Thanks, Kev.
Author:  AlpineTurbo [ Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
My car comes with the factory alarm I think. There's a box for it under the steering column, but no box by the battery. This sounds like an aftermarket alarm that has been fitted, with a similar thing to what the Clifford alarms have done to them.
Author:  JW590 [ Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
I think my car's the same as yours, '91 S2, and I've only had two non-start problems.

The first problem turned out to be the plug on the side of the AFM? (I'm not sure what it's called). It took ages to find the problem, and then it was only by luck. I cleaned the plug and socket and I've never had a problem since. There's an old thread about it somewhere.

The second problem was the alarm key had a hairline crack on one of the copper strips and the immobiliser wouldn't dis-arm. I have to push the key into a little slot on the side of the steering column, wait for three beeps, then start the engine. I changed the socket, bought a new key, and soldered up the old one for a spare - and it works. It wasn't expensive for the parts.

Good luck with it.
Author:  Porsche [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
Well, I've given up trying to work this one out. I've booked a mobile mechanic to come and have a look at it Thursday morning....let's hope he can sort it out. :roll:

I still think it's the alarm, but have no idea how to bypass it. :(

I'll keep you posted on how I get on.
Author:  Porsche [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 11:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
Update on my situation....

The mobile mechanic has been and gone...checked the engine compression...and there isn't any! Not anything. It's sucking but not blowing. :shock: he reckons the cam belt may have slipped a tooth.

I've no time to have a look today, but I'll whip the cover off tomorrow and see if he's right. It's starting to look like it's gonna cost £££££££££££ :(
Author:  AlpineTurbo [ Thu Mar 04, 2010 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help, 944 won't start.
Without trying to come across as rude I am not sure that his scenario is the case. Many twin cam cars run with bent valves. (ask any Peugeot 306 GTi-6 owner whose belt has been timed up by a garage who claims to know it all (read a tooth or two slipped due to incorrect procedure in checking engine timing). However, they simply tap alot like a sewing machine and eventually drop the valve guide head into the engine causing more damage, in addition to being down on power. I've even seen a car where it dropped a valve into the engine, lost all compression on one piston and still ran (albeit poorly).

If there was no compression the engine would turnover very smoothly, sound like a washing machine. I've seen this happen before quite a few times on an engine that has been seriously flooded. Otherwise, if it is still pulsing, I cannot see it being a compression problem. If it is a compression problem, I'd try starting the car as if it's flooded (pulsing accelerator) and see if it fires up. If it fires up and dies soon again I can almost certainly see it being an FPR problem.
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