944 Turbo won't start - help !!

[944Tman]

My 1991 944 Turbo is playing up - 4 times now, mostly when I'm in a hurry, it refuses to start. Its turning over, acheiving compression, but not firing properly, and when it eventually does start ( usually after flattening the battery and hooking up to the mains and liberally spraying the coil and HT leads with WD40) it takes about 5 miles to run normally.

The RAC guy said it was the HT lead shorting on the headlamp raise bar - but why now, after 10 months faultless starting?

Any ideas, fixes please?

I need it tomorrow to pick up a TVR for a 2 day test drive - now they are supposed to be unreliable...........

www.sportscarguides.com - Porsche buyers Guides.

[diver944]

If it is the lead from the coil to the distributor, then why didn't he replace it? It's not a custom made part, surely he would have had a universal one in his van. Double check yourself by looking for sparks when starting it in the dark.

A good old favourite for non starting 944's is the DME relay in the fusebox. It switches on the fuel pump so check to see if your spark plugs are dry after the non-starting has occurred.

These relays seem to wear out often so most owners carry a spare in the glovebox (under £20)

[diver944]

Hmmmmm, just spotted the website links

Have I just been trolled?

[944Tman]

Don't know what 'trolled' is, and my problem is genuine - thanks for tip on DME. RAC guy got car going so wasn't going to chuck in a free lead. Will check DME in morning.
Thanks
PS I provided my link as thought some may find it interesting - it costs nothing ( nor do we make anything) when you look, and there is an offcial link on this site anyway.

[cysatus]

hi i used to have a 944 and i had the same problem it was embassing. So do you dip your clutch before you start the engine? if so i the 944 floods to easy. Also i replaced the battery, still nothing, the rotary arm, now that worked! i was pleased. But after 4 month back to normal again i was gutted. So i replaced the fuse for the fuel pump and BINGO! it started every time! I have sold it now tho and got a boxster.

I dont know if this helps or i might have misread the post

[cysatus]

best thing to do is look under the glove like the last guy said and just look for a thin or broke strand. There the old fuses which i found hard to get, if you have any trouble getting them like i did , email me i have around 4 blue and 4 red left you can have if you need them as there no good to me. But you might have better luck where you live