Just bought a low miles S2 (23k miles) that looks and act s new in many ways except a couple. It starts slowly, meaning, it turns over 4-6 times before starting. It starts this way every time. Hot, cold, warm, makes no difference. A FI car should jump on the first revolution, second at the very most.

Just for maintenance sake, I have replaced all manner of belts, tensioners, hoses, dist cap/wires, new battery and all sorts of preventaive and scheduled maintenance. Have run a couple of bottles of Techron through the tank so far. I am totally **** about my cars. The starting issue existed before I did the above listed maintenance r/r stuff so it was not affilated with those things. Any thoughts on what it could be. Local indy German mechanic thinks it could be the reference sensor. All suggestions appreciated.

I searched the forum for all manner of slow/hard/difficult starting threads and ended up with over 175 of them. I spent hours searching for a resolution.... found several similar problems to mine with many replys/suggestions. Problem is none of the original posters ever indicated if their problem was solved and if so, how. Frustrating. So a recommendation, when you get your problem resolved please post it, otherwise there is little benefit for others with the same issue.

 

my car probably starts on the fourth crank, i don't know if its anything out of the ordinary

 

My S2 does the same. I also thought it was not normal when I bought it 8 years ago. It always starts with 1-2seconds of cranking. I think this is normal for S2.

 

Sounds normal to me.

My S2 does the same.

 

I owned three S2s. each one started on the fifth or sixth crank. It sounds like something is wrong, but is normal.

 

Really? Wow, that seems strange coming from Porsche. Can't imagine how such a heavily engineered car with fuel injection would have been designed with such a slow start effect. I have not encountered another car built in the last 20-25 years with FI that started like this from the factory. Any orginal S2 owners out there? Would love to know if this is how the car started when it was new.

Thanks for the responses

 

I concur with all the other S2 owners, mine starts the same way.

Joe M.
89 944S2

 

I have listened to Mark (Relaxed90) start his car numerous times - he has the same issue. Seems normal.

 

My theory on this:

1) The fuel pump is not running until you supply power to the starter. After it starts, the DME enables the fuel pump. So, it take a bit to get proper fuel pressure when cranking.

2) The reference/speed sensors output voltage varies with speed. Slow RPMs, low voltage. It takes a bit for the starter to wind up the RPMs.

3) Since the 944 has no cam timing sensor, it has to go past the reference sensor to find TDC.

Truly an untested guess based on some facts. The test would be to monitor fuel pressure, injector pulse and spark on a cold start.

 

newsflash 2.5 owners, I dont think any of hte three 2.5s Ive owned started much quicker.

To help unbunch some panties, In seven years of S2 ownership (with a gap while i had the famous mullet mobile) I have never let go of the key before the motor started in any of my S2s, but have numerous times in my wife's 06 XC90.

 

I remember having this discussion before. Same here, mine takes 5 or 6 turns, except at my indour parking at the office, there it will start on the second turn everytime, can't explain it. Did it hundreds of times and it always starts on the second turn???

 

Do your homework .......and you will find your answer.
It makes lots of sense when you will find it out.

All the best,
Jozsef

 

I've noticed that with an older battery, S2 takes longer to start. New battery, much more eager to jump into life. I always assumed it had something to do with the high compression engine, but this wasn't a scientific assessment.

The alarm system seems to draw a bit of power -- if it hasn't been driven for a few days, may take longer to start.

 

Care to give a hint

 

When you turn the key to start the car- the minimum RPM has to be 250 before the fuel pump will start up to build up feul pressure. The reason for this, is if you have an accident, and your engine stops turning- and your key is on the on position, the feul pump does not push any gas to the engine. God forbid, if you have a fire there. It's very simple and a very smart idea.

Have a good day,
Jozsef