944 Turbo - Please Help!!
Discussion
Hi there,
I'm a newbie to these boards but I'm really hoping that you guys can help me with an intermittent problem I'm having with my recently purchsed 1990 944 Turbo.
I'll start at the beginning - about 3 weeks ago, I purchased a lovely 1990 944 Turbo with an unprecidented history file - this car has really been looked after throughout it's 25 year and 135,000 mile life. In the following fortnight the car performed faultlessly, including the 250 mile journey back from purchasing the car.
Last week after a brief visit to my parents (about 5 miles away), I started home. I'd gotten about a quarter mile down the road when I felt the car falter and shortly after the engine stalled. I managed to restart it but it was running EXTREMELY rough and wouldn't idle. The only way to keep the engine running was to keep on blipping the throttle - it was obvious that the engine was "missing" badly and there was a strong smell of petrol from the exhaust. After nursing it back to my parents I left it parked-up overnight.
I returned the following day to assess the sitaution and to my surprise, when I tried to start the car, it started and ran perfectly. I drove it around the block a number of times and decided that perhaps what had happened was somehow a "glitch". However, just to be on the safe side, I changed the DME relay, plugs, leads, distributer cap and rotor arm - I also had a new throttle position sensor fitted. (I've also bought an engine temperature switch just in case it was faulty and telling the ECU to over richen the fuel BUT I haven't fitted this as yet).
Everything was fine until yesterday. After returning home after a long Sunday blast, I pulled-up outside my house and hit the door unlock button in order to let the wife out of the car before parking-up. The instant I hit the door unlock, the engine faultered and died. Again, upon restarting the engine it wouldn't idle, ran rough and would only keep running if I kept blipping the throttle.
This morning I went to start the car expecting difficulty but you've guessed it - it started, idled and ran flawlessly! I even tried to re-create the issue by pressing the door release button but it was perfect and had no effect on the engine.
It seems that whatever is causing the issue is resolved after the engine has gone cold!
Don't make the mistake of thinking I know what I'm talking about, I'm the first to admit I'm not partucularly mechanically minded so I really need your help as I don't know where to go from here.
Do I need a mechanic or an auto-electrician?
Could it be the temperature sensor switch (I'm going to fit this when I get a little time).
Could it be the Air Flow sensor?
Coil?
Bad earth?
I also have a "Scorpion Alarm" fitted - not sure how it could be this but you do hear of problems with 3rd party alarm fitments.
Thanks in anticipation guys.
I'm a newbie to these boards but I'm really hoping that you guys can help me with an intermittent problem I'm having with my recently purchsed 1990 944 Turbo.
I'll start at the beginning - about 3 weeks ago, I purchased a lovely 1990 944 Turbo with an unprecidented history file - this car has really been looked after throughout it's 25 year and 135,000 mile life. In the following fortnight the car performed faultlessly, including the 250 mile journey back from purchasing the car.
Last week after a brief visit to my parents (about 5 miles away), I started home. I'd gotten about a quarter mile down the road when I felt the car falter and shortly after the engine stalled. I managed to restart it but it was running EXTREMELY rough and wouldn't idle. The only way to keep the engine running was to keep on blipping the throttle - it was obvious that the engine was "missing" badly and there was a strong smell of petrol from the exhaust. After nursing it back to my parents I left it parked-up overnight.
I returned the following day to assess the sitaution and to my surprise, when I tried to start the car, it started and ran perfectly. I drove it around the block a number of times and decided that perhaps what had happened was somehow a "glitch". However, just to be on the safe side, I changed the DME relay, plugs, leads, distributer cap and rotor arm - I also had a new throttle position sensor fitted. (I've also bought an engine temperature switch just in case it was faulty and telling the ECU to over richen the fuel BUT I haven't fitted this as yet).
Everything was fine until yesterday. After returning home after a long Sunday blast, I pulled-up outside my house and hit the door unlock button in order to let the wife out of the car before parking-up. The instant I hit the door unlock, the engine faultered and died. Again, upon restarting the engine it wouldn't idle, ran rough and would only keep running if I kept blipping the throttle.
This morning I went to start the car expecting difficulty but you've guessed it - it started, idled and ran flawlessly! I even tried to re-create the issue by pressing the door release button but it was perfect and had no effect on the engine.
It seems that whatever is causing the issue is resolved after the engine has gone cold!
Don't make the mistake of thinking I know what I'm talking about, I'm the first to admit I'm not partucularly mechanically minded so I really need your help as I don't know where to go from here.
Do I need a mechanic or an auto-electrician?
Could it be the temperature sensor switch (I'm going to fit this when I get a little time).
Could it be the Air Flow sensor?
Coil?
Bad earth?
I also have a "Scorpion Alarm" fitted - not sure how it could be this but you do hear of problems with 3rd party alarm fitments.
Thanks in anticipation guys.
- * Can anyone recommend a TOP Porsche guy (preferably a front engine specialist) ideally in West London or the Home Counties who could help me?? ***
there are many possibilities, some would need specialist help to diagnose. unfortunately the intermittent nature of the fault makes it hard to pin down.
firstly get the battery tested.
secondly get these things checked, crank sensors, fuel pressure, alarm, air flow meter, ecu, earth points etc.
id personally recommend promax in bucks, they know their way around a 944.
firstly get the battery tested.
secondly get these things checked, crank sensors, fuel pressure, alarm, air flow meter, ecu, earth points etc.
id personally recommend promax in bucks, they know their way around a 944.
the cheapest option is to carry a new dme relay at all times. Try swapping one over first.
if not, then it sounds like something with the ignition system. Could be rotor arm, distributor cap, ht leads, plugs etc. are these all on nice and tight? Have they been done recently (date and miles?) If not, then they could be up to 25 years old and need replacing.
if not, then it sounds like something with the ignition system. Could be rotor arm, distributor cap, ht leads, plugs etc. are these all on nice and tight? Have they been done recently (date and miles?) If not, then they could be up to 25 years old and need replacing.
Hi guys,
Sorry about not replying sooner - I found myself in the "Sin Bin" (felt like a naughty schoolboy!) and have just been released.
Thanks for your advice so far.
I forgot to mention that after the first instance, in addition to changing the plugs, leads, distributor cap and rotor arm, I did also change the DME relay (I've been told to always keep one in the glove compartment) but it still happened on the Sunday.
As I say, I'm going to change the engine temperature sensor today but have been told that even if it fails "open circuit", it probably wouldn't cause the issue to the extent that I experienced - but hey, I've purchased one anyway and I can always hope!
Before being released from the Sin Bin (and being able to view your responses), I found a Porsche Specialist on "Honest John's Good Garage Guide".
Had a long chat to a great guy called Nick from "Auto2000" and have booked it in early next month (he suspects the crankshaft sensors).
Has anyone got any experience of them?? (Auto2000 or crankshaft sensor failures).
Sorry about not replying sooner - I found myself in the "Sin Bin" (felt like a naughty schoolboy!) and have just been released.
Thanks for your advice so far.
I forgot to mention that after the first instance, in addition to changing the plugs, leads, distributor cap and rotor arm, I did also change the DME relay (I've been told to always keep one in the glove compartment) but it still happened on the Sunday.
As I say, I'm going to change the engine temperature sensor today but have been told that even if it fails "open circuit", it probably wouldn't cause the issue to the extent that I experienced - but hey, I've purchased one anyway and I can always hope!
Before being released from the Sin Bin (and being able to view your responses), I found a Porsche Specialist on "Honest John's Good Garage Guide".
Had a long chat to a great guy called Nick from "Auto2000" and have booked it in early next month (he suspects the crankshaft sensors).
Has anyone got any experience of them?? (Auto2000 or crankshaft sensor failures).
denimdick said:
Hi guys,
Sorry about not replying sooner - I found myself in the "Sin Bin" (felt like a naughty schoolboy!) and have just been released.
Thanks for your advice so far.
I forgot to mention that after the first instance, in addition to changing the plugs, leads, distributor cap and rotor arm, I did also change the DME relay (I've been told to always keep one in the glove compartment) but it still happened on the Sunday.
As I say, I'm going to change the engine temperature sensor today but have been told that even if it fails "open circuit", it probably wouldn't cause the issue to the extent that I experienced - but hey, I've purchased one anyway and I can always hope!
Before being released from the Sin Bin (and being able to view your responses), I found a Porsche Specialist on "Honest John's Good Garage Guide".
Had a long chat to a great guy called Nick from "Auto2000" and have booked it in early next month (he suspects the crankshaft sensors).
Has anyone got any experience of them?? (Auto2000 or crankshaft sensor failures).
I'd get it to Pro Max. They've forgotten more about 944 turbos than most people will ever know. Get them to give the car a dose of their vitamins whilst they're at it. They can get the car up to 350bhp and make it a fecking rocket ship.Sorry about not replying sooner - I found myself in the "Sin Bin" (felt like a naughty schoolboy!) and have just been released.
Thanks for your advice so far.
I forgot to mention that after the first instance, in addition to changing the plugs, leads, distributor cap and rotor arm, I did also change the DME relay (I've been told to always keep one in the glove compartment) but it still happened on the Sunday.
As I say, I'm going to change the engine temperature sensor today but have been told that even if it fails "open circuit", it probably wouldn't cause the issue to the extent that I experienced - but hey, I've purchased one anyway and I can always hope!
Before being released from the Sin Bin (and being able to view your responses), I found a Porsche Specialist on "Honest John's Good Garage Guide".
Had a long chat to a great guy called Nick from "Auto2000" and have booked it in early next month (he suspects the crankshaft sensors).
Has anyone got any experience of them?? (Auto2000 or crankshaft sensor failures).
denimdick said:
Hi guys,
Had a long chat to a great guy called Nick from "Auto2000" and have booked it in early next month (he suspects the crankshaft sensors).
Has anyone got any experience of them?? (Auto2000 or crankshaft sensor failures).
If the tach needle moves while cranking the engine it's unlikely to be the crank sensors. I've had the issue your having, try what I've suggested. Promax are a good call if you're in the area, though 350 bhp isn't cheap.Had a long chat to a great guy called Nick from "Auto2000" and have booked it in early next month (he suspects the crankshaft sensors).
Has anyone got any experience of them?? (Auto2000 or crankshaft sensor failures).
Op, could it be weather related? Fine in the dry, lumpy when wet?
Off topic but electrical I had an issue with my 968 when it would cut out and restart a second later, or be a pain to start.
Eventually traced to water damage to fuse box.
Process of elimination to find it. New crank sensor, coil, you get the idea. Let us know how you get on.
Off topic but electrical I had an issue with my 968 when it would cut out and restart a second later, or be a pain to start.
Eventually traced to water damage to fuse box.
Process of elimination to find it. New crank sensor, coil, you get the idea. Let us know how you get on.
hi I had this sort of fault on both my 944s first car the fuel pump was not pumping fuel I did all the stuff u have done pump give up and I found it then 2nd car a turbo had a broken wire nexed to the fuel pump and the loome broke on a car I used to look after for a friend about 2 ft from fuel pump may be worth checking
I had a similar problem with my '90 952. It turned out to be the "Barn door" in the AFM sticking open when hot, with all being OK when everything cooled down. On taking the AFM off, it became clear that there was a slight ridge of deposited material on the floor of the AFM. This was cleaned up with some 1200 grade wet&dry, reassembled, and the problem never recurred. Hope yours is as simple...
Thanks for all your suggestions guys, I've only driven the car occasionally since (and it's been fine) but I just know it's going to let me down at some point.
I've decided not to throw any more money at it just yet (and to wait until the weather's a little better) before investigating in earnest.
Thanks Rob, I'll look at the AFM first, then I'll probably change the Fuel Pump as I've heard that these have sometimes been known to cause a few issues when they get hot - anybody have experience of this?
Also, a friend of mine is having an issue with a slight missfire on his '84 3.2 Carrera - a mechanic has suggested a "dribbling" injector which he also said wasn't uncommon on the 944 - has anybody heard of this? Could the injectors on my 944 Turbo be the cause of my issue??
Cheers guys.
I've decided not to throw any more money at it just yet (and to wait until the weather's a little better) before investigating in earnest.
Thanks Rob, I'll look at the AFM first, then I'll probably change the Fuel Pump as I've heard that these have sometimes been known to cause a few issues when they get hot - anybody have experience of this?
Also, a friend of mine is having an issue with a slight missfire on his '84 3.2 Carrera - a mechanic has suggested a "dribbling" injector which he also said wasn't uncommon on the 944 - has anybody heard of this? Could the injectors on my 944 Turbo be the cause of my issue??
Cheers guys.
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