Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi,

I was driving along yesterday, as I was pulling up at a junction the car just died on me. I tried to restart but it just wasn't firing. I initially thought that the starter wasnt engaging but it appears that this wasn't the case. I checked the DME relay and swapped out for another there and then. No luck. I then tried to bump start the car, nothing apart from a tiny backfire.

I got the car towed home, since then I've checked the tacho bounces on turning over...it does. It appears that the car isn't firing. I have cleaned inside the distributor cap and also tried a different coil from my Dads car that is known as good. None of this work. The car as far as I know doesn't have an immobilizer, any thoughts ?

Worst bit is whilst using my MX5 on jump leads to feed the 944 that has decided to go dead as well...with what appears to be an immobilizer issue....great 2 cars down and feeling very sorry for myself !

Help !

Silly question maybe. Have you checked that the cambelt hasn't snapped?

There is compression, you can hear the engine turning over fine. My first thought was cambelt....

Changed the belts in Feb 2013 @ 164k now at 184k...

Have you actually checked the car for a spark and fuel? Not that it is advised but after checking for a spark (which is easy) I would then see if the car runs on carb cleaner or Easy Start but not for too long.

Will the car stills park if there reference sensors are broken ? Im edging towards that at the moment....

Would advise checking spark, not just if its sparking but also spark strength. My S2 played up a few months ago and after cleaning all connections in ignition system and the engine earth connections has been fine.

On the 16V models it is always a good idea to check the connector at the ignition module, if that gets a bit dirty/damp it can stop working and you get no spark. It is located on the passenger side wheel arch just behind the headlight. Give the connections a good clean and spray with WD40 or similar.

Thanks Rhett, I will check that out later.

I would check the fuel pressure. Sounds like a failing/failed fuel pump to me.

Can you hear the fuel pump running when the ignition is on? Listen under the car by the rear drivers side wheel.

My car died on me and I just managed to get it going after a lot of starting. It then went for good a few days later. After all the DME and spark options I replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter and it started easily.

Listen for the fuel pump running. If you can't hear it has failed. If you can and the fuel pressure at the rail is poor then its on its way out.

I'm no mechanic but learnt all this the hard way.

Also you can get a Bosch fuel pump and OEM fuel filter from Eurocarparts cheaper than all other places.

Maybe my memory is leaving me but I rarely remember hearing my 944 have its pump whirr away with the ignition on. I was under the impression that it was driven off a Tacymetric method like the Peugeots of that decade.

Seeing if the plugs were wet with fuel would confirm this however.

From what Ive read the fuel pump will only prime for a second when the ignition is on and will then shut off, something to do with safety.

I can smell petrol after trying to turn the car over.

The fuel filter does need replacing, I have one, but currently the connections to the existing one wont come off and just spin freely, so it looks like I will need new fuel lines...which I was planning on getting done when it goes in for a clutch. Any hints or tips on where to get these ?

Hopefully the car will be collected this week ( my friendly garage is without their recovery driver at the moment) so I can look at getting this sorted...

This is what I was referring to on FB James, but I got the position wrong as I haven't ever had an S2...


Simon

Well it appears the Camchain went due to the tensioner pad failing...even though it was checked in 2013 when I had the belts changed.

Some teeth on the cams have gone as well, so its hopefully off to EMC to be repaired and also for a new clutch...

Ouch! that doesn't sound cheap. Good luck with it.

Truly gutting. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think the teeth themselves can be replaced. Would it be cheaper dropping in a replacement engine from a scrap car?

Cheers,
Bryan