a1984944

I have a 1984 944 (standard) that will not start.
The gas is pumping and I have compression but no spark.
The engine is turning over but not catching.

We replaced the ignition coil and still no spark (we removed the center plug from the distributor cap and checked for spark).
I have replaced all the sparkplugs also.

My neighbor thinks it has to be the ignition unit (brain, D.M.E.) which happens to be a little expensive and non returnable.

Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Steve

Dan/87/944na

did this happen all of a sudden? You can also check the DME relay I think....wish you luck..Dan

a1984944

Hi Dan,
It came out of no where.
I played softball the night before, made a few stops on the way home w/ no problems starting back up.
Came out Saturday morning and she wouldn't catch.
I'm going to try the relay as soon as a store opens today or tomorrow. I'm also going to take off the DME and check for cold solder joints.

I appreciate the reply!
Steve

944mo

I just fixed this problem on my 85.5 944. It ended up being the reference mark transmitter (or commonly the "Flywheel Sensor"). It cost around 65 bucks and can be replaced in 20 minutes. Before doing this make sure that the DME wire on the ignition coil is NOT sending its voltage to the coil. (THis can be checked easily with a volt meter) If this is your problem then the sensor should correct it. What I have seen from other like problems, they also replace the speed sensor (located beside the reference mark transmitter).

Hope that helps....

a1984944

"Check the two plugs at the rear of the engine, on top, toward the center, just in front of the firewall. These are sensors that must be firmly seated. If they are loose, the car will not start. These plugs tend to get brittle with age. If I recall, these are the crank reference and speed sensors. I used to unplug mine on my 83 944 to prevent the car from being stolen when I lived in an apartment complex. If you can wiggle the sensors, then they are too loose."

This was from ICAT and it fixed my problem.
He's the man!

ERAU-944

if you're getting fuel its not the dme relay. it may be the brain... UGH!!! if you need one i've got several asking $300, and i know they work.(they're even returnable if it doesnt solve it) good luck troubleshooting!

Martin

Try unplugging one injector and see if it starts. If it does you need a new fuel pressure regulator.

xcessiv

Question for 944mo, where di you get the new reference mark sensor, a dealer? Secondly, did you remove both the speed and the reference sensors, if so, any tips on positioning the speed sensor would be appreciated. I just upgraded a 85.5 NA with a turbo clutch and fidanza flywheel etc., everthing went well except I (we actually, it is my friend's car) destroyed the speed sensor because it was improperly positioned. We followed the directions in the shop manual for installing it with the bell housing on, but we evidently did something wrong, LOL.
Thanks