HELP! My 944 will not start!

[jamesm]

Has anyone any ideas?

I've recently brought my 1st Porsche, an 86 944 LUX AUTO. Now ever since I brought the car it's been running rough from cold, almost as if one of the cylinders is not firing properly as when you put your foot down the car just splutters. However I believe this problem goes away after the car has been warmed up/ driven for a few miles. (Excuse me for being vague, I've not had the car long and not had a chance to drive it much yet).

Now this afternoon I jumped in the car to take it over to my parents where the restoration project was set to begin, but the car just wouldn't start! The engine was turning over just fine, and I removed one of the plugs and can confirm there seems to be a good spark. I also cleaned all the plugs with a wire brush before trying again, yet no joy. The engine just turns over, and there is no sign of it even trying to start, not even a splutter. The car has sat for a week while I've been away, however I did drive the car round the block for 2-minutes last week and it started just fine then..

I would be very grateful of anyones input.

[wildoliver]

Check you have fuel supply, starting with have you got any in tank, then can you hear pump going? if yes to those two loosen the main fuel in pipe to the fuel distributer and turn ignition on for a sec and see if fuels going through. if not see previous two, and suspect leak from tank or blocked fuel filter too.

If you have fuel getting through though may be the cold start side of the injection. This is a touch more complex. let me know how those other checks go first.

[jamesm]

Thanks, great info, I'll give those a go tomorrow and let you know how I get on! This car is my 1st restoration project and clearly my 1st introduction into owning a classic car... The car has half a tank of fuel.

[cuneus]

DME relay ?

[wildoliver]

Good first porsche and first classic.

Let me know how you get on!

[jamesm]

When should I hear the pump going, when the car is turning over?
And where will I find the fuel distrbuter? Going to have a look tonight, but maybe you could give me a head start! Sorry this is all new to me!

Thank you

[Studog]

The fuel pump will run when it is cranking.
The fuel distribution rail is along the top of the engine
unscrew the cap off the end to check for fuel. Be careful
if it is all working the fuel is at 30or so psi.

I would check the DME relay as they regularly fail.
The fuse box is either in the engine bay or under the
passenger side of the dash if you have an early car.

Good luck.

[jamesm]

Well I can confirm there is fuel, as the tank is half full. And I've removed the waist fuel line whilst turning the engine over, and can also confirm plenty of fuel getting to the engine. I've also removed one of the plugs and there is a good spark. The battery is holding a full charge, yet still I can not get the car to start. Not even a splutter, yet before I went on holiday I drove the car round the block! ....

Some of you have mention fuse boxes and ECU's... What do I need to look for here...

[jamesm]

Sorry, not ECU.. DME relay ?