Tails

Alan,
I applaud your efforts and your suggestion. A users guide to the electrics of a 928 S4/GT and GTS would be extremely useful and if you need proof reading I can assist.

I have had my 1990 928 S4 Auto for 5 and half years and I have been into the electrics and electronics more time than enough to keep the car running.

Currently chasing a nice case of engine dying suddenly for no apparent reason. The car is grounded and if the fault causing the engine to cut out is ian ntermittant one then all the more difficult to locate and rectify. I'm working through all the diagnostic and trouble shooting guides within the WSM, and information contained in Jim's CDs. It a case of going back to first principles and checking everything unless I can locate a local friendly Porsche person with a Porsche test and diagnostic unit.

Tails 1990 928 S4 auto

Garth S

Alan, I had assumed that "the idea its a guide to figuring out & using what is already there" is the direction you were suggesting: As a non EE type, If I can help, please count me in ( I only have the 8 vol WSM, up through MY '91).
Aside from the less than obvious logic, the issues that trap most users are quite basic. Common problems are mostly switches and relays - and for a first timer, there is no intro to the wiring diagrams explaining the most elementry pathways or what a relay does. eg. tracks for ground, switched & unswitched power.
Perhaps a basic intro into tracks 15, 30, 31, etc.... could help get some readersunderway to opening the most unused two vols of the WSMs.

bdstott

I'm a new 928 owner and should have my car in a couple of weeks. I'm comfortable arround electrical issues, but have never worked on a 928. I have owned many British cars though, so tracing intermittent wiring problems is not unknown to me
I'll help in whatever way I can.

the flyin' scotsman

Alan............have the education and the experience; 18 years in the wireless telecom world............let me know how I can help proof reading or otherwise. Have full 9 vol set of WSM...........Malcolm

jim morehouse

Alan,
There are three training manuals I've found that Porsche published to train dealer mechanics on electrical issues. They are part of cd 1 of the Technical Publication CDs I did. Unfortunately one of them , 928 Design Function Wiring, is converted from a poor quality xerox and is barely legible. I did locate an original but haven't had time to scan it in. Here's what I've got:
Electric 928 Design Function Wiring wkd 4567.20
Electric Trouble Shooting and Repair 928S P90
Electric Basic Training wks 900 021

If you decide to do the wiring FAQ (I think it's a great idea), let me know and I can get you copies of these so you can decide if they're of any help.

Going thru the wire diagrams, especially for the later cars, I get the distinct impression that this was likely a summer job for a student. There's a lot of differences in how they're presented. Another thing we ought to attack at some point is putting a list of known errors in the wire diagrams...and there are some.

Let me know,
Jim

Champagne

Count me in. Anything I can do to help.

Paul

Alan

Jim,
I already have your 3xCD set - if you do get a better quality version let me know - you can email it or send a CD and in return you'll get the final copy for the next CD Rev - Deal?

Alan

rcoble

Ok I’ll proof read. My First Porsche (February 05) was a 924 and I completely redrew the schematics by breaking out each system, and putting them on separate pages. The 928 is a bit (understatement) more complex. My biggest gripe is you can’t just glance at the diagram to get the info you want. It takes Sherloc Holmes and a decoder ring to even read it. I haven’t had a need for diving into the 928 electric system yet except for installing memory 88 seats into my 80. I will proof read, but I feel like I haven had this car long enough to be a good candidate for input.

Alan

OK - Thanks for the votes of support - especially those who have volunteered to help.

You have some general idea of my thoughts about this from these posts - before starting though I'd like to solicit from the volunteers only (but pls feel free to continue to volunteer) your thoughts on what are your individual prioritized top 3 difficulties with the current wiring diagrams. Keep it to a fairly generic level (e.g. connectivity, relays, how to tap power, symbols, central electric - that kind of level) rather than any specific single fix you struggled with.

Along with these Top 3 issues what did you wish you had that would have helped? (other than a fairy godmother of course...)

Please think about it and PM ME ONLY PLEASE so we don't unduly influence others opinions !!!
(I'll summarize later the overall outcome)

For the volunteers - I'll be travelling to China next week but would like to send you a very first draft of some materials for very early directional FB the following week - so take some time to think about it. I will use some of my (too) many hours on the plane to polish up some thoughts!

Alan

DONT FORGET !! PM's for now...

jim morehouse

Deal Alan. Not sure when I'll be able to do the scan though. Heading out on 2 weeks vacation next week but I'll try to do it when I get back and let you know.

Jim

SharkSkin

I can volunteer to look them over... but I only have a 78 to check against... and I don't think the early diagrams are a problem if you also have the DIN standard in hand.

Herman K

I can help with some proof reading and translating if needed. Just got back into 928 with the purchase of a 94 GTS - FWM should be coming in soon - I also have all tech bulletins from early 80's - Dec 1994 - and additional service information manuals for 928 GT - Airbag systems - Diagnosis of the instrument cluster from 1989 >
1994 Red/Tan - 5spd

docmirror

Er, I have an EE if you need proof reading, maybe I can assist. Sounds like you have enough people for now. Did yo convert to the 1977 IEEE standards or something else?

Doc

WallyP

I would like to proof as well...

tech@928gt.com

deliriousga

I'd love to help, but unfortunately I don't speak "electrical".

I would be very interested in purchasing the final product!