realtime

My usually faithful '87 Cab has taken to not starting. It cranks fine but doesnt seem to want to fire-up. After a few tries I smell gas.
One strange thing is it seems to want ot fire just when I stop turning the key in the ignition- in other words it cranks w/ out firing then just as I let off the key it sputters and dies out.

It also sputters when still cold (not up to operating temp) taking off in 1st gear and shifting and accelerating into 2nd. Once the rpms are up its OK but it runs rough at low RPMs while cold - eventually it comes around and does OK when warm.

This all began after the car sat for a few weeks while we were away on vacation- so I guessed clogged injectors - I dumped a can of gas /injector cleaner in and it seems to help but (with the same gas and cleaner still in) last night didnt start again.

Any suggestions as to where to start the diagnostics? Its certianly getting gas- but Im unfamiliar w/ the ox sensors and other fuel regulator items (what ever it has?) Tune-up w/ valave adj. was done about a year / 3500 mi. ago.

Thanks a bunch!

Dan <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

scottb

DME relay for the non-starting condition.

Because you've only driven it 3,500 miles in the last year, the plugs may have fouled, thereby causing the sputtering.

realtime

Thanks for the suggestion ScottB
I was thinking it might be the DME too-
I pulled the spk plug from #5 and it wasnt fouled.

This AM the car started Ok but while idling it sputtered out and didnt start again until it sat a while - is that c/w a DME problem?

What do DME's cost? - Im debating if its worth taking the chance and changing it myself or let a mechanic do the work-up- I've got a DE event this coming w/e so need to get the inspection anyway.

Thanks for any add'l help/ suggestions!
Dan

realtime

Just to finish the thread- it was the DME. Instead of replacing it I re-set it as described in my "IOU $$" post and all symptoms are gone. I suspect a new DME is in the near future but Im hoping then I'll be ready w/ a new one on-hand ready to be installed.
Thanks Rennlist!
Dan <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

ron mcatee

The DME Relay is not the same as the DME Brain Box. The relay is a small black unit (about 2" square) located uder the drivers seat that secures to one of the mounting studs of the DME Brain Box and is secured with a 10mm nut. There is no adjustment on the Relay, it only requires replacement, which is a unplug/plug in effort. If the Relay was not the problem, I suggest you get an extra Relay anyway, because it will fail eventually. Based upon your comments, I assume you did some tweaking of the Brain box?

Glad you got it working and back on the road.

Spider911
88 Carrera

alex'87cabriolet

Hi Dan,
I had a similar problem on my '87 Cabriolet, it would run and then die all of a sudden while driving. A mechanic could not diagnose the problem even when I received a suggestion from the Rennlisters of what it might be--the cylinder head temperature sensor. This sensor on our era of cars came as a single wire sensor and was grounded to the cylinder head. The replacement is a two wire part. The original set-up would eventually fail and give the dme bad readings causing your engine problems (if thats what it truly is). Check the archives here or on the Pelican Parts board for how to replace this part--it's very straight-forward and inexpensive.

Ciao,

Alex J.
1987 Carrera Cabriolet