My 1988 911 won't start...
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 77
Likes: 5
From: San Diego, CA
My 1988 911 won't start...
On a warm day last week, my '88 911 engine died while idling and wouldn't start up again. I let the car cool down for a day but even then is still wouldn't start.
I had it towed to my non-Porsche mechanic (
mistake, but oh well...) but he can't figure out the problem so far. He says the ignition coil is getting electricity but doesn't seem to get it to the spark plugs. He changed the coil twice with a new one but still not starting. He says there may be a grounding issue. (???)
I've had this problem before and it was a 'head sensor' according to my old repair receipt.
Furthermore, researching the old posts, the DME relay seems to come up quite often as a possiblity.
Could any of these be the problem? Any thougths would be appreciated.
Thank you,
I had it towed to my non-Porsche mechanic (
mistake, but oh well...) but he can't figure out the problem so far. He says the ignition coil is getting electricity but doesn't seem to get it to the spark plugs. He changed the coil twice with a new one but still not starting. He says there may be a grounding issue. (???)I've had this problem before and it was a 'head sensor' according to my old repair receipt.
Furthermore, researching the old posts, the DME relay seems to come up quite often as a possiblity.
Could any of these be the problem? Any thougths would be appreciated.
Thank you,
I haddah Google dat
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,501
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From: Fresno, CA
Use a dental pick or a very small screwdriver to remove the spring steel retaining clip from one of the injector connections. You need to get more than 12.v You can also turn the key to "run" and see if the ICV is humming. If there is no voltage, then it could be the DME relay or a problem with the DME brain. If the voltage is low, then clean your battery connections, check tightness of grounds and the power supply. The coil gets power directly from the switch. At some point about I dunno, 6 months ago we put together a Rennlist "no start" checklist for the 3.2 911.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,510
Likes: 1,640
From: Cambridge Ontario Canada
you guys and these cars with these sensors everywhere ... 
get something solid next time .
So just for reference ( excuse the pun ) is it measuring crank pulses ? or cam pulses ?
ie where is it located ?
get something solid next time . So just for reference ( excuse the pun ) is it measuring crank pulses ? or cam pulses ?
ie where is it located ?
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Track Day
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 17
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From: Campbell, CA
Just wanted to add that performing a spark check at the end of one of the spark plug wires using a spare spark plug will also validate that the sensors are working OK, as they are a key input to the DME to trigger the coil to fire. So if you aren't seeing a spark there, start checking back up the line and check that there is 12v (or so) at the coil. If present, then the problem is possibly the sensors, etc.
If spark looks good at the spare test plug, then the problem is likely something in the fuel delivery system.
BTW, I searched for the referenced "no start" checklist for 911 3.2 but no joy. Is it still available?
If spark looks good at the spare test plug, then the problem is likely something in the fuel delivery system.
BTW, I searched for the referenced "no start" checklist for 911 3.2 but no joy. Is it still available?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 462
Likes: 16
From: Marin County, CA
Just wanted to add that performing a spark check at the end of one of the spark plug wires using a spare spark plug will also validate that the sensors are working OK, as they are a key input to the DME to trigger the coil to fire. So if you aren't seeing a spark there, start checking back up the line and check that there is 12v (or so) at the coil. If present, then the problem is possibly the sensors, etc.
If spark looks good at the spare test plug, then the problem is likely something in the fuel delivery system.
BTW, I searched for the referenced "no start" checklist for 911 3.2 but no joy. Is it still available?
If spark looks good at the spare test plug, then the problem is likely something in the fuel delivery system.
BTW, I searched for the referenced "no start" checklist for 911 3.2 but no joy. Is it still available?