jp554731

Hi, I just bought a red 944S2 hatch 89'. I drove it around a couple times, and it's fun. My problem is that recently the car got discharged after it rained. I jumped is with my 92' civic. I don't know why the fog lights and taillights won't turn off when the car is off. The rocker switch for the foglights are off and the headlights and high beams are off. It rained yesterday and this might have something to do with it. I remove the #5 fuse for the foglights but it still keeps on until the battery drains. I will check all the fuses tommorow, but I'm not so sure a fuse is the problem.
I also found a plug hanging out, I get the feeling this was a parts car as it is missing some parts and is @ 190k miles.
Here are some pics

marc abrams

Try unplugging the alarm module and alarm relay G18 and the central locking module.

jp554731

Where can I find these? Sorry, total newb here.

Edit: the relays in the fusebox?should I take them out, plug the battery back in. The. Turn on the car, turn off the car, unhook the battery, put the relays back in,hope for the best?

curtisr

It looks like someone has already unplugged the alarm control box (located above the DME in the passenger compartment).

I'm not sure if this is the source of your electrical gremlin; however, you can usually isolate the problem by following this procedure:

marc abrams

If that is the alarm connector (my car doesn't have any of that stuff so I'm not sure of the location, but most likely under the dash) check it that it's not melted and pins are touching. The relay is in the fuse box. You can skip using the Ammeter part as you most definitely have a Parasitic draw.

konakat

Somebody must have rewired the lights in a different way than stock. Try tracing back from the lights and see if you can find some non-stock looking wiring and follow that to the source.

jp554731

Hey guys, looks like the draw is coming from the G18 relay. Is there a way to fix it?
I'm probably just going to get a viper with remote start in a few months anyways.
The fog lights and taillights turn off when I take it out.

Edit:
Looks like the battery is done. I remember the guy's 6 year old son saying "tell him about the battery". I thought he meant the battery was new, guess not.
I guess all the maintenance he said was done he lied about. What a jerk, and what a headache.

What model battery do I get?

marc abrams

Just leave it out. Aftermarket alarm/remote door locking systems usually have their own relay to flash the lights. Before you install a new alarm system remove the Porsche's alarm and door locking modules and fuses that powered those circuit's to prevent a electrical bucking situation.

marc abrams

I just saw the edited post. My 83 has a Bosch battery and I believe it's a group 48 size. I would double check that size for your 89. I wouldn't use a remote start on a manual transmission car, unless you want to have the world's only self driving Porsche 944.

jp554731

No remote start? Bummer... It says it's some sort of econo battery, but other than that, I see no other markings.


Looks like the battery was just really low. The car cranked and I was able to start the car after taking out a few fuses, but I have not busted out the multimeter yet to find the real culprit. Took out G18 fuses 5,8,12,17,36,and 39.
I have a suspicion that this wire in one of the pictures from a pioneer cd changer not sure if it is OEM, but it was taken out and the wire got wet. Most likely this is causing a short somewhere. I have a question about this antenna, is it not OEM? I know the base model 944's have them in the right fender. I'll probably replace it with a shark fin.
Also, there is this green switch underneath the handbrake, any idea what it's for?

marc abrams

It doesn't matter if it's economy or a super duper Megatron battery, it's ether good or bad. The battery needs to be fully charged and ONLY a load test can tell you whether it's good or bad. You said the lights go out after removing the G18 relay, so why would you think you still have a electrical draw?? I have no idea what kind of antenna that is other than it being Bender Rodriguez's antenna (yes I watch cartoons) but the late 944 didn't have a antenna on the fender, it was in the windshield like 70's GM cars. The switch on the floor is the parking brake light. I can't answer what that plug is for in the first picture.

jp554731

The plug is for a pioneer cd changer. The manual came in the S2 manual holder. Must be an aftermarket thing.
I think I still have a draw, because the car won't start without fuses pulled out. I tried starting it with just the relay out, which was a no go. I tried again with fuses out and it cranked and started.
Will be doing a load test soon just to make sure the battery is not kaput.

marc abrams

Yes, get that battery tested, then let's see what happens.

jp554731

The battery is ok, within min and max ranges when tested with a multimeter. Now my car is getting squirrelly. When I start the car with the driver door closed, it won't start, but when I leave the driver door open, it will start. Wtf? I tried it 10 different times just to make sure. The car will only start with the driver door open. Does it have to do with the G18 alarm relay being taken out?
The car will only start with the door closed if I pull fuses 8,12,17 and G18 and after just being turned off. Gonna do more test to figure it out.

marc abrams

First locate the Central Door Locking Module and remove it.
Second, I'm assuming that you didn't perform a actual load test of the battery. A voltmeter is only going to give you a state of charge, not the amperage it can supply. You can get a ruff idea of the battery's condition by cranking over the car (ground the coil wire) and observing the voltage.
My theory is the power locks is stuck on and the battery is to weak.