Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and would like some advice.

The 928 is a dream car of mine and I am looking at purchasing a particular car. It seems to be in great condition with a full 2 years TUV (Germany) but has a problem.

The owner, who bought the car from the UK last year, says the standard Porsche immobilizer (if it is indeed standard in 1984) cuts the engine every now and then while driving. He says not often but none the less, it happens.

I know the electrics are probably this car's biggest problem, but wanted to hear some advice. Is it a car I should stay away from with this issue? I just want to know if I can fix it without having to pull the car apart completely.

I am going down to see it on the weekend to make an offer, but this does sort of depend on what you guys say. I would really appreciate your knowledge and advice. Thanks god for forums!!

Thanks in advance and kind regards

Joel

How does he know it's the immobiliser?

If he's diagnosed immobiliser problem, then he would have fixed it having gone that far!

A number of problems could cause engine to cut out while driving. None are serious/expensive, but if the new owner hasn't sorted this then what else has he not done?

Still buyer's market for 928s, so I would look for a problem-free car as your intro to ownership

Hi

Like Adrian said...I also doubt its the Porsche Immobiliser... BUT IF it is, my brothers 928 (84) had his stripped out completely and replaced with a brand new original one from H&P (original makers of alarm) That cost him £700 !

After a couple of years that went wrong as well (non start etc...)

He then had that stripped out and replaced with a Clifford 650 like I have in my 928...Class 1 alarm with remote starting , all open, all close, and lots more stuff... cost including labour plus extras around £1000.... fantastic alarm though

But when those Original H&P alarms dont work its EXTREMELY unlikely they would cut out the engine whilst running....

I suspect the owner is guessing.... although you could drive down the price by £1000 because "its only the alarm" as he says, lol ....

Personally I wouldnt buy a 928 that cut out when running... imagine that at 150 mph ...NO power steering, and NO servo on the brakes

All the best Brett

Hi Guys, thanks very much for your advice.

If I'm honest I am not in the market for a FSH 928 as I don't have the budget. It sort of needs to be cheap for me to get started. However, what I do have is a place where I can work on it and it would be my second car. Its a tough one as I've always wanted one. Grrrr.

I hear what you are saying about the guessing. He probably is. And yes, if he 'knows' what it is then why not fix it. That said he's a collector of vintage cars and has over 30 examples. The 928 is one of three more modern cars he is selling to make some space. But then again, words are about as valuable as sand in the desert.

Do you have any ideas what would make the car cut out. Is it a known problem? Could it be the ECU. I'm guessing it has one.

Thanks again.

Joel

Had a similar problem with my S4 about two years ago after changing crank sensor it was the E.Z.K. relay quite cheap fix £80. A lot better place to get info on 928 Rennlits .

Thanks Potdog, I have goodled EKZ which seems to be a sensor 'klopfsensor'. Is that a knock sensor?. I found this for location:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Porsc ... B800%3B532

Looks like a big job...

Joel

A good starting point would be to clean up all the grounds, change battery strap, new battery, check clean fuse panel, replace relays, service it with new fuel filter, spark plugs etc. All stuff you would probably want to do anyway then see where you are at.

Also have you seen this car.

http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayIS ... 4096094540

Seller is Paul Anderson I think. Check out his reputation he's like a 928 guru. He's done the timing belt, waterpump and put a good radiator in. Good starting point. Brake discs and pads can probably be changed out yourself for about £250. Seems like a good cheap entry car with a few bits needing doing from a respected source

Edit: I see the car is lised as lpg/petrol whichwwould put me off.

No mileage listed, must be massive? Lots of retracted bids? Not sure I like the guys story. He bought the car drove it 400 miles had it resprayed then let the mot expire despite the car being in great shape.

some very cheap cars on that site, some cheap ones in loot too.

Mikec is spot on - the cut out problem is most likely very simple electrical problem (ECU problems are not intermittent). So:

check grounds
check/clean ground strap
check/clean main engine ground strap
pull, clean, replace contacts of crucial fuses/relays (fuel pump, whatever injection ECU is in 1984 car)
check and clean the connections at battery +ve terminal

Another slightly more complex possibility is the contact ring behind ignition switch barrel. Fairly cheap part.

Guys, that is all such great help. Thank you so much.

I have also done some more finding out about this particular car. Its last owner was from 2000 - 2014 then the car was auctioned (not sure if that is a good sign)

Anyway, the last recorded cam belt change was in 1997 at 107K miles. It has done a little over 10K miles since then (backed up by MOT's, now 118K) and I was wondering if the cam belt can survive that long.

I'm guessing it would need to come out.....

Joel

I have also heard (and just seen) the radiators are big money to replace. Is there a way to check them when viewing a car, or the right questions to ask?

Are there any other particular things I should be checking, other than obvious stuff.

Many thanks.

Joel

At that age I would be concerned about running it without changing it. You'll also need to service the tensioner and probably replace the water pump.

Not familiar with the s2 but I think you would have a hard time visually inspecting the radiator with the fans in the way. When mine failed you could see coolant build up accumulating down the front of the matrix but only with the fans out. Prices for the rradiators are now pretty expensive I think. If the side tanks are leeking then I think there may be a diy fix.