KrazyK

My 1985.5 944 project car runs great good oil pressure, temps, gauges work etc. but has a strange issue. Because of no fuel pump or spark issue I bypassed the DME relay to test. Everything works great while bypassed. Installed new DME relay and back to a no start. I tried more than one new DME relay just to be sure. Before I break out the tester and start the steps to diagnose, has anyone seen this as a common issue with some suggestions as where to go first? Maybe reference sensor(s)?

V2Rocket

reach up under the dash and pull the ignition switch plug off the switch, and jumper the pins there and see if it works.

DME relay has one contact tied to the ign. switch that pretty much controls everything else. using the DME relay bypass connects fuel pump+DME direct to battery, doesn't need ign. switch input anywmore.

KrazyK

So it could just be the ignition switch? That was one of my suspicions as it seemed to feel a little glitchy. Is it like the 996's where you just need to replace the plastic part? This brings back memories of the crappy switch in that model.

V2Rocket

your car uses the lower one.

KrazyK

Of course. So I get screwed with the one that's the hardest to replace? This was fairly easy in a 996 but sounds like a real PITA on the later 944's.