steeley90

Hello all,

Unfortunately my '89 2.7 944 will only start when I use the jumpered DME relay method.
I've tried 4 other relays now but still no joy. The car just won't start without the emergency relay method which is a real pain.

Would someone be so kind as to to provide me a checklist of things I should do so I don't have to keep going through the pain of lifting the bonnet every time I want to go somewhere? I've been toying with the idea of having a killswitch fed through, has anyone attempted this?

Thanks guys!

marc abrams

Did you try bypassing the alarm controller as out line here?

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/elect-23.htm

Pins 1and 4 is what kills the power to the DME relay so a kill switch can go between those two pins.

steeley90

Hi Marc,

Thanks for the reply, Marc!

That's very interesting, I think I'll have to give that a go.

Just so we are on the same page here, if I go with this configuration, I'll be able to have the jumpered DME relay permanently plugged in, and then I'll feed a killswitch into pins 1 & 4 of the alarm controller, then feed the switch through to a nice area on the dash I've pre located. Does this sound legit to you? Do I need to disconnect the alarm before I start monkeying around with the box for it?

Thanks again for your help. Mechanical is more my side, as I changed the clutch in mine. It's the electrical side of things I'm making a more concerted effort to learn nowadays!

marc abrams

Leave the DME relay in place. Remove the alarm controller and jump out 1&4, 7&8 terminals. You won't need a separate kill switch unless you want a hidden kill switch to help prevent thief. But first determine why the DME relay is failing to energize.

PaulD_944S2

NO NO NO!

"Did you try bypassing the alarm controller as out line here?
http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/elect-23.htm
Pins 1 and 4 is what kills the power to the DME relay so a kill switch can go between those two pins."

This will damage the cars wiring.

1989 models (944, 944T, & 944S2) used a different alarm controller and wiring, and if you follow Clark's instruction you WILL damage wiring. Google 1989 944 or 944S2 alarm bypass, or links below.

https://rennlist.com/forums/944-turb...989-951-a.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...rm-bypass.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...rm-bypass.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...ont-start.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-...ocedure-2.html

steeley90

I think we are suggesting two different things. Unfortunately I don't think I explained my situation enough so allow me to elaborate.

I currently have to permanently run the following setup to get my 944 to start - https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-...dme-relay.html

As soon as I put the DME relay into the fuse box, the fuel pump starts running and does not stop when I turn off the car, so I have to manually go and remove it. And reinstall when I want to get going again. Or else the battery drains.

Obviously this is a painful exercise I really want to avoid.

So sticking with your idea of adding a killswitch between pins 1 and 4, would I be able to control when the DME turns on? I take it that you're suggesting the alarm module is stopping the DME relay from starting properly?

Sorry for causing confusion!

Thanks!

V2Rocket

sounds like you've got a shorted DME relay.

steeley90

Thanks Paul,

I doubt it's the alarm module as my car runs fine when I use the 'emergency jumper method' on the DME fuel relay. She starts up immediately.
I'm just desperately looking for a fix to this problem as it's ever so tiresome constantly removing the relay every time I use the car. It being my daily driver, it's even more frustrating! ha

steeley90

Are you suggesting pulling out the DME and checking for cold solder? I would obviously like to avoid that.
Is there a potential for a switch to be installed anywhere? What do you guys suggest?

URO Support

Hi Steeley, did one of your other four relays happen to be ours? Though it's unlikely that you have five bad relays and the problem is probably something else, if one of them is ours we'd be happy to send you our new third-generation DME relay 993 615 227 01, which was just released. This completely redesigned relay uses modern modular design and is assembled using Surface Mount Technology (SMT) for quality consistency and long-term reliability.

We'd be happy to extend the same offer to anyone who had one of our DME relays fail in the past, just contact us with your purchase details (send a private message here or email "sales @ uro parts . com", remove spaces) and we'll get you one of the updated units.

marc abrams

I did not know that. My apologies to Steely90.

Jfrahm

I would look for damage to the DME relay socket, related wiring (under the fuse box) or possibly some previous alarm or killswitch bodging from yesteryear.

steeley90

After contacting Uro as per the reply on this thread, not one but two of their new relays were sent out to me.

The parts arrived at my work and I swiftly made my way to the car park to try one out.

I wish I had a dash cam that had captured my face when the car started first time with the new relay installed. I'm absolutely ecstatic. I cannot value these new relays high enough. I've tried every other option of relay including Porsche OEM and none worked. It's still a luxury for me to get in the car and not have to pop the bonnet. One I'm sure I won't get tired of for a long time.

Thanks ever so much to the guys at URO, you've made this 944 owner the happiest guy!

URO Support

That's EXCELLENT news Steeley90, thank you for the update! Your new relay is likely the very first 3rd gen URO unit in use on the open road, not counting a few test units.

We still don't understand how so many of your other relays could be bad, hopefully there isn't another problem with your car that's somehow burning out relays. But if it works, it works! (Carry that second relay as a spare, just in case, lol.)