Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi all, name is Shaun, Birmingham, not new to porsche ownership but new to 944s.
Looking for a little advice and help from you that are more knowledgable.
Bought an 85 lux a couple of days ago. A little untidy but i wanted something as a project but it ran great. Drove it 120 miles home and it never missed a beat.
Garaged it over night and next day started it up fine and took it out the garage to give it a good looking over to see where to start. Started by taking out the HT leads and plugs and checking them out and generally checking the engine compartment. they were all in good condition and i replaced them all correctly. Next i checked the electric windows and mirror switches as they werent working and cleaned them up and got them working.
Heres where the problems started. Tried to start it up and it wouldnt start. Tried a few more times and nothing. Checked to see if there was a spark at the plugs and there was. However there was no fuel on the plugs they were dry and also no smell of fuel under the hood. My first thought was the DME fuel pump relay so i went to buy a new one. Fitted it and still wont start. Took it out and cleaned the connections and still nothing. Still no smell of fuel. Plenty of fuel in the tank.
Im now wondering if i disturbed some thing under the hood or somewhere else or if it has an immobiliser but the guy i bought it off says there isnt one.
Its real frustrating as it started and drove perfectly the day before. There is still spark at the plugs and the DME is new and the tach bounces on cranking the engine. Where should i be looking now do you think. Any help is appreciated before i get the hammer out.

Hi

Sounds to me like it would be a good idea to pop along and see us at the Red Lion pub in Lady Lane Earlswood Lakes on Monday 9th Sept

That's where central region meet on the second Monday of every month from 1930 onwards.

Quite a few 944 owners with loads of knowledge

Did they have 944's in the 1930's Brian?

Hi young man

That's the trouble with the youth of today

Not willing to move with globalisation, european village concepts and the 24 hour clock

This negates you from an invite to the next Le Mans Classic.

Oh! almost forgot; we are off on a trip next Saturday if you are interested, Paul will be sending out a note on the forum this weekend all being well and when I have written it!

Got to go now and clean the car. Have been invited to Silverstone tomorrow, courtesy of BRDC.

welome,

not a villa fan are ya?

daft question but did you spin all the fuses in both fuse box's? the old european fueses are a swine for muggy contacts. also is there any sort of cut out device on it, a switch maybe that cuts the fuel pump? check under the dash you may have caught something with your foot getting out.

also is there power going to the fuel pump? check that first and run back through the rest of the procedures

Noooooo, pleasey-squeezy, can I come to le Mans???

Sorry, but won't be able to attend next Sat - on my annuals. Off to sunnier climes mate, thanks anyways (don't worry, I'll be back for the WOTY - I'll probably be the most tanned guy in Yorkshire )

If I get the chance though, I'll pop down on Monday............hopefully........

Thanks all, and just for the recordim not a villa fan, hiss hiss, im a blue nose through and through but dont let this put you off.
I did spin all the fuses and all look ok. As for the cut out i was thinking along these lines as its so odd it wouldnt start after running so well. Asked the seller and he said there is nothing on the car he knows about. Did have a look under the dash and it has had an alarm of some sort at some point as there is a motion sensor box there. Also found a small switch in the glove box which appears to be connected to the box and an LED. However whatever position the switch is in doesnt make any difference to the starting problem.
Would an immobiliser cut the spark to the plugs or the power to the fuel pump as i still have spark. Im still convinced its electrical beings as it was so sudden however i remain open minded.
'Come back Steve Bruce, all is forgiven'!!

This all sounds very much like the problem on my car, with the tacho bouncing when you turn the key.

Perhaps the rain is'nt a cause as i first thought?

OK if the tacho is bouncing then the crank sensors are OK. Are the plugs even slightly wet? I suspect you have a fuel pump problem. Is their power on the pump? Is the pump running? The pump is under the tank & will only run whilst either the engine is running or being cranked.
If the pump is running then is there fuel on the fuel rail, are the injectors firing?

Good news- i sussed it and got the car up and running again.
I replaced the DME fuel relay plus today new plugs and leads but still no joy. Took the fuel pipe off and cranked the engine and found no petrol getting through.
I then checked the fuses in the Aux fuel box again even though i had already. I took the fuel pump fuse out and on closer inspection it was corroded. Stuck a new one in and hey presto she fired into life again.
I can get on with the other stuff now. Joy to the world!!

Glad to hear it, the fuel pump pulls a largish current so corrosion here is significant. Now you can get on with the rest of the jobs.