HELP!!! Porsche 924S starting problems
Discussion
Can anybody out there shed some light on a frustrating starting problem?
We bought our Porsche 924S 3 weeks ago as a replacement for a MK1 Golf GTI cab and Saab 900 Cab, ran really well for the first 2.5 weeks then ....stranded us at a petrol station. Would not restart from the key but did start following a tow start.
Symptoms can be replicated as follows:
In the morning car will start fine, excellent idle (800RPM), 4 Bar oil pressure and will pull strongly throughout the rev range. After car has warmed up and turned off it will refuse to restart, have checked the following:
Fuel pump relay, fuel delivery - all OK
Found that I had NO spark whilst turning engine over UNTIL I released the key, I would then see a spark (momentum of engine still turning). I replaced the Distributor cap and Rotor arm as these were badly scored. This may account for reason car started following tow start.
Car has now been sat on the drive for 4 hours and has started 1st turn of the key, I let it idle for 10 minutes, turned off and could not restart again!
Any suggestions / advise greatfully received
We bought our Porsche 924S 3 weeks ago as a replacement for a MK1 Golf GTI cab and Saab 900 Cab, ran really well for the first 2.5 weeks then ....stranded us at a petrol station. Would not restart from the key but did start following a tow start.
Symptoms can be replicated as follows:
In the morning car will start fine, excellent idle (800RPM), 4 Bar oil pressure and will pull strongly throughout the rev range. After car has warmed up and turned off it will refuse to restart, have checked the following:
Fuel pump relay, fuel delivery - all OK
Found that I had NO spark whilst turning engine over UNTIL I released the key, I would then see a spark (momentum of engine still turning). I replaced the Distributor cap and Rotor arm as these were badly scored. This may account for reason car started following tow start.
Car has now been sat on the drive for 4 hours and has started 1st turn of the key, I let it idle for 10 minutes, turned off and could not restart again!
Any suggestions / advise greatfully received
Stu, welcome to Porsche ownership 
First off I know that this is a very common problem with 924's as I have heard about it many times on many different forums. Unfortunately my miniscule brain cannot remember what causes it, though I think it is relativley minor and easy to cure.
I would recommend calling Bert Gear at Berlyn Services on 01271 866818 as he is the tech rep for the 924 Register and I'm sure he'll know. He'll probably try and flog you the part you need as that is his business
Do a search on http://forums.rennlist.com/ in the 924 section it'll possibly be in there somewhere
>> Edited by diver944 on Saturday 10th April 17:29
First off I know that this is a very common problem with 924's as I have heard about it many times on many different forums. Unfortunately my miniscule brain cannot remember what causes it, though I think it is relativley minor and easy to cure.
I would recommend calling Bert Gear at Berlyn Services on 01271 866818 as he is the tech rep for the 924 Register and I'm sure he'll know. He'll probably try and flog you the part you need as that is his business
Do a search on http://forums.rennlist.com/ in the 924 section it'll possibly be in there somewhere
>> Edited by diver944 on Saturday 10th April 17:29
Try joining and putting a question on the Titanic register, Bert Gear resides on this occasionaly.
Register here.[url]http://tristar.orbitzero.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/porsche944[/url]
Register here.[url]http://tristar.orbitzero.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/porsche944[/url]
sounds like it could be a ignition key issue, or a relay to the fuel injection system. Those relays die slowly over time, as they get a bit of corrosion and the humidity will affect them one way or another. Even if it's not the problem, you should just go ahead and replace the old relay now, just to be sure you won't have to deal with it later.
Dogsharks
Dogsharks
Problem getting worse....car now refuses to start what so ever!!!
Used to be able to start in the mornings at least but no longer.
Have checked the following since last post:
Ignition barrel, had it completely apart and cleaned contacts, rebuild and tested with meter, all OK.
DME relay, had that apart as well, can force contacts closed and hear fuel pump, will do the same on its own with key, fuel reaching injectors fine.
Back to the ignition system, still no spark whilst turning over, have tested coil resistance and appears ok, however, I removed the green primary wire, left the black one connected (permanent 12v with ignition on), tried earthing other coil connection....no spark, do I have a duff coil?...can they simply stop working like this?
Used to be able to start in the mornings at least but no longer.
Have checked the following since last post:
Ignition barrel, had it completely apart and cleaned contacts, rebuild and tested with meter, all OK.
DME relay, had that apart as well, can force contacts closed and hear fuel pump, will do the same on its own with key, fuel reaching injectors fine.
Back to the ignition system, still no spark whilst turning over, have tested coil resistance and appears ok, however, I removed the green primary wire, left the black one connected (permanent 12v with ignition on), tried earthing other coil connection....no spark, do I have a duff coil?...can they simply stop working like this?
Obviously I only sell cars and so have no mechanical knowledge at all. Ask me a question about sheepskin coats though !!
Now remind me the 924, wasn`t that something Audi built with a sherpa van engine in it?
No no no ,please don`t answer that - I`m fully aware of the 924s and I have sold one or two in a former life.
For my money I`d go down the route of low voltage at the ignition control unit, I`ll wager it needs over 11.5 volts to funtion and when you`re turning the engine over it`s not getting it. It could be crud on the conecting pins, it could be a poor battery or it could be a bad earth strap / connection. If the latter is the case then as the temperature rises the resistance will increase compounding the problem.
If none of the above makes sense or works you could always book the old girl into a friendly specialist who could not only diagnose the fault but also mend it for you !!
Keep smiling and remember to park on a hill.
Henry
Now remind me the 924, wasn`t that something Audi built with a sherpa van engine in it?
No no no ,please don`t answer that - I`m fully aware of the 924s and I have sold one or two in a former life.
For my money I`d go down the route of low voltage at the ignition control unit, I`ll wager it needs over 11.5 volts to funtion and when you`re turning the engine over it`s not getting it. It could be crud on the conecting pins, it could be a poor battery or it could be a bad earth strap / connection. If the latter is the case then as the temperature rises the resistance will increase compounding the problem.
If none of the above makes sense or works you could always book the old girl into a friendly specialist who could not only diagnose the fault but also mend it for you !!
Keep smiling and remember to park on a hill.
Henry
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