SkippyCrunchySmooth

Early this past summer, I did a bunch of interior work on my '86 951. I had the dash out for refinishing, removed the non-functioning aftermarket alarm the PO installed, new steering wheel, etc. I got everything back together in early June, I drove the car a few times, I was happy.

Then, I drove to a friend's house one evening with no issues, got in the car to go home a few hours later, and nothing. No lights on the dash, no engine turning over, nothing. It was like someone removed the battery. The only sign of life was a clicking noise coming from under the dash after I'd tried turning the key a few times.

I did a lot of traveling/moving over the summer, so I stashed the car in a friend's carport until I picked it up recently. Now I'm trying to solve this problem. It's possible that I screwed up some wiring when I removed the alarm, but all I did was desolder the alarm wires and then wrap everything back up. Maybe a wire rubbed on something and then shorted? I'm trying to avoid taking the dash apart again, but if I have to, where should I start looking?

I also gave the ignition relays and DME relays a visual inspection. When I removed the DME relay, it sounded like the guts were rattling around in the case; is that normal?

I'm just really confused as to why the car would run fine for a few days and then all of sudden go completely dead. Anyone been in this situation before? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Wipeout

Did the car have a factory alarm? The alarm module (under the DME computer in passenger footwell) can make that clicking sound and can cause a no-start condition. If it's there, bypass it (Clark's Garage has the steps) or replace it with a known good module of the same part number.

I had issues with the alarm module in my '89 S2 that manifested them in a similar way. Car ran great, then the alarm randomly started going off while the car was on (at the smog test place, even).

SkippyCrunchySmooth

Darren,

Thanks for that tip. It does have a factory alarm, so I'll try the bypass procedure tonight.

Anyone else have ideas? Is it normal to hear something moving around in the DME relay when I shake it?

Wipeout

I don't think the DME is supposed to sound like a set of maracas. Do you have a spare DME relay (I think quite a few folks here keep a spare in the glovebox!)?

SkippyCrunchySmooth

I do keep meaning to pick up a spare. I suppose now's as good a time as any.