Brody944

Hello everyone! I've been excited about joining this website and making my first forum post once I bought my Porsche, so here it is! Yesterday I drove about 2 hours to take a looked at and buy a 1986 automatic Porsche 944. I've been searching for one for about half a year. I've passed on others but this one seemed perfect! It was a 90 year old women that was selling off her cars. Her husband unfortunately just passed and she decided to sell her 280z, Porsche 944, jeep and boat. She said they bought it new and it was always well maintained and taken care of, and I could see that, heck the dashboard isn't even cracked! Lol... She had maintenance records and it has 101k miles. After negotiating price and buying the car (and test driving it) It was time to drive my first "fun" car home!!! WOOOHOOOO!! Well everything went good for the first 15 mins but when I hopped onto the turnpike I went to put my foot down and it seemed to down shift then I had nothing. I had no power, when I put my foot down only the engine would rev. I made sure that I didn't bump it into neutral or anything but unfortunately I didn't, so I pulled over and had to get it towed. I'm pretty sure the transmission went out. We checked the fluid and it seemed fine. SOOO POOOP THAT SUCKS!!! The real reason I am posting this is to hopefully get some guidance on where I might be able to find a 1986 compatible automatic transmission for my new paperweight... The folks I bought it from did give me $2500 to help pay for the new transmission. I found that to be very nice of them considering they didn't have to do anything. I know some of you will give me flak for buying an auto but my mother has always REALLY like Porsche so getting one she could drive was worth more to me then owning a more fun manual transmission. Any advice would be appreciated because I want this thing back on the road! Thanks for reading!
-Brody

ried

Welcome to the family! You'll learn to love this abusive relationship in no time.

Brody944

Lol thank you 😊

Gage

Tell us where you're located so local 944 help can step up.

Brody944

Sure thing! I live in Lancaster Pennsylvania.

Brody944

So I work at a dealership (not a porsche dealership) and have a guy who usually works on the owners 911 gt3 lamborghini, Lotus, and Ferrari. (Sounds qualified imo) who says he could do the work under the table for me as long as I order the parts. This Sunday I am going to bring the car into him. I'll have him tell me what parts to order. I guess I'm just qurious if yall know of any good sites that might have rebuilt automatic transmissions or trans parts, or heck, even good aftermarket trans (if that's a thing)

Gage

First thing is to be comfortable with a diagnosis. Make sure it's a fault with the transmission and not something else within the driveline.
These are VW Audi components so rebuilding services should be readily available.
Used units are also available (I have a couple here in Eastern Ma) but can be a bit of a gamble.
Good luck.

Brody944

I appreciate the advice! I plan on letting him dig into it and give me a diagnosis before I order anything. Hopefully it is something not as serious. 🤞 I'm bringing it home Sunday so I'll post his findings.

CyCloNe!

944 Automatics are notorious for the rubber damper going out. I bet that's the issue, especially low miles and 30+yrs on it. If I am correct replace it with a worn clutch and pressure plate and it will be good forever.

Brody944

Very interesting I'll have to take a look at that! I found one of you other posts on the subject. Sounds cheaper and more rugged. Hopefully it's the damper and not the whole thing.

Gage

If it were the damper that failed, the car would still drive fine but would make a clanging sound at idle. The symptoms described are not indicative of a damper failure.

black944 turbo

It is still possible that its the dampener since they have emergency fingers to get you home. It's possible the fingers fractured as well which would render it not driveable.

Good luck, these are wonderful cars.

pfarah7

Hey Brody,
Sorry to hear about the trans; I've got a good rubber centered clutch and pressure plate that I removed from my 84. It's yours if you want it, just cover the shipping or you're welcome to take a drive up to Plymouth, MA and pick it up.

Brody944

Wow thanks pfarah7! You are the man! Once I get the car to my mechanic and have him diagnose the issue I'll let you know what it is. If it turns out to be that part I will take you up on your offer. I really appreciate the kind gesture thank you!

pfarah7

It's sitting on my shelf so it's yours if you want it. PM me when/if that time comes...