der Mond

For the first time, when I turn off the ignition and remove the key from my ’87 Carrera a motor in the dash keeps running, until the battery drains. It sounds like a blower motor on low setting. I tried disconnecting every fuse and relay that was labeled “blower”, “heat control” “fan” (including oil cooler fan) and “A/C” to no avail. I tried d/c the fuel pump relay to make sure I wasn’t mistaking it: no dice. I am sure all levers and dials related to heat, defrost and fresh air are off. I found that the circular dial on the tunnel that my owner’s manual refers to as “thermostatic heat control” will run with the key removed, so I tried taking that apart. Porsche must believe it will last forever, so does not provide an alternative to soldered connections. My manual says it has positions 1-9 on its dial, but it has only 0-1-2-3, with 3 accompanied by a defrost logo. Visual inspection reveals that the 0 and 1 positions activate nothing, the 2 position activates one microswitch that seems clearly to be functioning on-off, and position 3 activates another microswitch that clearly seems to be functioning on-off. I am stumped. Any ideas?

Marty916

Mine did the same thing. There is a relay in the engine compartment that controls the blower motors. It's located on the left side of the engine compartment under a black plastic cover and is the smaller of the two metal cased relays. Try giving it a tap. If that doesn't work, just pull the relay and see if the blower stops. It will narrow down your search for the fault. These relays are insanely expensive, $180, and I've had no luck finding a more reasonably priced alternative to the factory item.

gecc

The P/N on the relay is 911.618.153.00

der Mond

Thanks so much, guys - I'll give that a try tonight and get back to you. $180.00 is a bite, but compared to imagining a 6 hour drive to Anchorage and paying dealer prices to have my dash disassembled, it's a great relief!

der Mond

Well, I tapped the relay with my fingers and Viola! The motor stopped. I can't thank you enough for the tip, that's what's so great about forums like these and the Porsche lovers that are members. Any idea what the larger of the two relays controls, and what the part number might be? (If it's not trouble - I can remove them and check in better light this evening). Finally, what was your best source for a replacement? I emailed Pelican but haven't received a response yet. They don't list it. I'm going to email a discounting dealer parts man I'm familiar with. Thanks again.

jet911

Looked up that part for you on Pelican, they can special order and it is expensive $215. Ouch... Here's the link:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...I1.x=12&I1.y=8

You may want to contact a company called Sunset. Sorry I don't have a Panorama or Excellence Mag at work, they advertise in both. They charge dealer cost plus 15% and shipping. They have gotten me a few parts for significantly less than the dealer or other parts houses. It may be worth a call to them. If no one chimes in with a number, I will post it later tonight when I get home.

der Mond

Thanks for reminding me that I can enter a Porsche part number in a Pelican search. I'm going to check some sources and will post results.

der Mond

I believe it was on this site that I first heard about Kenn Young at Hennessy Porsche in Atlanta (800-471-0911, kyoung@hennessyporsche.com). He offers the relay on special order from Germany, 4-6 weeks and $161.15 sans shipping. 3-7 business days to him for $20.00 more. I would still hope it is silver plated and monogrammed for that price...

jet911

Here's the number for Sunset Porsche: 1-800-346-0182

Give them a call and see what they can do for you. Mention you saw their ad in Excellence and you get the dealer cost plus 15% plus shipping. Don't know if you really need to mention their ad, however that's what the ad says. No affiliation with them. I got a couple of parts I could not find anywhere except the dealer and they beat the dealer price by over 50%.

Good luck!

Ellsworth Wente

the larger relay is the rear defroster relay if I'm not mistaken - I had a stuck blower relay last year, which was located right next to the big one...
-ell

der Mond

Thanks, guys, I'll give them a call. Kenn also knows a dealer that has it in stock but I haven't checked their price yet. Kenn verified that the larger relay is the rear defrost. Thankfully that one is working well thus far. Thanks again.

der Mond

Jim,
Sunset Porsche (by the way, they have a new phone number) matched Kenn Young's price, but would Fed Ex only; Porsche Exchange in Illinois has it in stock, but at full price and also will only Fed Ex. Kenn agreed to save me the Fed Ex and US Mail it for about 5 bucks. So I pass that along as outstanding customer service at what must be a busy shop in Atlanta.
Dennis

Phokaioglaukos

Part 911.618.153.00 is now NLA. BUT, with a core exchange I found Einmalig, 15571 Commerce Lane Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Phone: (888) 777-6772 and https://www.einmalig.com/ to offer rebuilt units that work well at a fair price.15571 Commerce Lane Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Phone: (888) 777-6772

theiceman

just short of 2 decade thread revival , but the best part of our cars is it is still relevant lol.