964 Starting Problems

[fredthechippy]

Hi - had my 964 cab for just over a year and has been great fun.

Today though, went for a long blast, pulled into the drive, killed the ignition, popped into the house for 2 mins and now she won't start. Theres a single clicking noise from the rear when you turn the key like something is trying to work, but then nothing. I checked the DME/fuel/oxygen sensor relay (R41 I believe) by hard wiring it per the bentley manual guidance, but the problem is still there.

Any other suggestions before I have to call in a pro and no doubt shell out some big ones...?

Many thanks!
Richard.

[Gmund]

Hi there, it sounds like the starter motor to me, maybe it's getting a bit sticky (somethimes a light tap with a hammer will get it spinning again, so that you can drive it to a garage). Also stating the obvious, have you checked that the battery is holding a good charge?

[marky911]

As above,

My 964T had a brand new starter a few years back. After only one winter it was doing what you describe, a single click. My indy had a look at the terminals and found them to be furred up with light corrosion. He stripped and cleaned them and it was ok for a while but then started it again.

In the end we decided it was the solenoid. These can be sourced from Bosch without the need for a complete starter.

One other thing worth mentioning is that sometimes on older starters they can get "tight" when hot etc, in which case it would need a refurb or preferably replacement. This may be the case with yours since it's doing it after a drive.

Either way if you can get it to a trustworthy indy, they should be able to tell you what it needs.
Good luck.

[Pesty]

I had a clicking noise when trying to start the car once. Battery was knackered and not holing charge. Jump started straight away new battery cured it straight away.

Did you leave the lights on or anything when you went in the house?

[fredthechippy]

Thanks for your responses. Battery is fine as it's on a trickle charger.

I actually managed to start her last night, but is now making a kind of popping noise when you take the foot off the gas, bit like a hole in the exhaust or a backfire (actually sounds quite cool, but thats not the point!).

Any thoughts...?

[Lemass]

no idea on the noise, but i had same issue with not starting on saturday, removed the power from starter cleaned it up, reattched and all good.

[fredthechippy]

Think the noise must've just been a bit o flooding or something as seems ok this am. Starting still seems a bit laboured and slightly noisy though. Will try cleaning the starter. Is it easy to get to? Does the car need to be up on ramps?

[ras62]

The starter is difficult to access, ramps will make it much easier. Important you make sure to disconnect the +lead at the battery before touching the starter!!

[Lemass]

jack it up and take the drivers side rear wheel off, you will see it just above the driveshaft, belive its a 10mm nut, as said disconnect the battery positve first or you'll earth it out on something when you remove the wire.

[fredthechippy]

Just to close this out, it was the starter motor. Didn't have the time or skills to do it myself, so had Ollie at RPM Technik do it. Great job. Thanks for all your advice folks.