Starter Troubles
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Joined: May 2002
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Starter Troubles
Hey Guys,
I recently put the engine back into my '84 928S Euro and am now trying to start it. Here's a description of the problem I've run into:
We (myself & soontobered84) put the starter in, turned the key: nothing. As a matter of fact, I wasn't even getting power throughout the car (no power to the radio.) So we take out the starter, and hook up power directly to it, shorting the necessary contact to make it go. The starter worked fine, so we put it back onto the car. When turning the key thistime, it made a noise that sounded like the solenoid was popping back and forth or the teeth were grinding against the teeth of the flywheel. Nonetheless, it was improvement, because we were getting a response from the starter and power throughout the car. Still no start, though.
All the while, we had the battery out of the car and had jumper cables hooked up to the battery contacts. We thought that the jumper cables were making too big of a potential difference, so we put the battery in its spot. After turning the key this time, it made the noise for about a second, and then:... nothing. After that, it made no response to the key whatsoever.
After all of this, we took out all of the sparkplugs, hoping to make it easier to turn, but still no response from the starter when turning the key.
We've exhausted every option we could think of to get the car to start. If anyone could provide some insight, it would be much appreciated.
-Austin
I recently put the engine back into my '84 928S Euro and am now trying to start it. Here's a description of the problem I've run into:
We (myself & soontobered84) put the starter in, turned the key: nothing. As a matter of fact, I wasn't even getting power throughout the car (no power to the radio.) So we take out the starter, and hook up power directly to it, shorting the necessary contact to make it go. The starter worked fine, so we put it back onto the car. When turning the key thistime, it made a noise that sounded like the solenoid was popping back and forth or the teeth were grinding against the teeth of the flywheel. Nonetheless, it was improvement, because we were getting a response from the starter and power throughout the car. Still no start, though.
All the while, we had the battery out of the car and had jumper cables hooked up to the battery contacts. We thought that the jumper cables were making too big of a potential difference, so we put the battery in its spot. After turning the key this time, it made the noise for about a second, and then:... nothing. After that, it made no response to the key whatsoever.
After all of this, we took out all of the sparkplugs, hoping to make it easier to turn, but still no response from the starter when turning the key.
We've exhausted every option we could think of to get the car to start. If anyone could provide some insight, it would be much appreciated.
-Austin
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,451
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From: Texas
There's a big difference between the solenoid popping and the starter pinion gear banging against the flywheel. Suggest you determine which was occuring- which points to...
New battery does not mean full charge, so Shane's suggestion is still valid. And grounds (all of them) are crucial.
If you were not even getting power to the radio (assuming it is installed correctly, and was so before the outhaul) then it is much more likely to be an electrical wiring/installation/ground problem than a starter problem, and you confirmed that it is spinning independently of the system. Did misc. lights/horn/fuel pump/instruments work?
I would follow up on Shane's points first, then have the solenoid checked.
Donald
New battery does not mean full charge, so Shane's suggestion is still valid. And grounds (all of them) are crucial.
If you were not even getting power to the radio (assuming it is installed correctly, and was so before the outhaul) then it is much more likely to be an electrical wiring/installation/ground problem than a starter problem, and you confirmed that it is spinning independently of the system. Did misc. lights/horn/fuel pump/instruments work?
I would follow up on Shane's points first, then have the solenoid checked.
Donald
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 881
Likes: 0
From: Denmark
Austin,
That's a tricky problem - I had something similar when I installed my engine 2 week ago after a general overhaul
I hope you have an el-diagram
First three general tips:
A. Old red Porsche wires changes colour to brown, but still they are not for the ground!
B. From 1984 Euro only two wires (red and yellow) to the starter but there are still three terminals on the starter!
C. When removing/installing the cables to the injection and ignition controller easily one or more wire(s) can be disconnected from there terminal(s) on the main el-board!
Check the following:
1. Main el-Power to starter (Three thick red wire (Battery, ABS, Generator) -> Terminal 30)
2. El-power to starter when turning the key to starter position (The thin yellow wire) This shall be placed on terminal 50 and not on terminal 15a - 15a is empty from model 1984!
2a. If no power here, you go back to terminal 13/14 in the 14 pin connector in the engine compartment -> Terminal O5 on the main el-board -> Relay XIV -> Starter key switch
And/or eventual. thief lock - Disconnected wires on the main board - Gear handle!!!!
2b. If power here, you connect terminal 30 and 50 with a screwdriver and the starter shall work - if not, the problem is in starter.
You are welcome to come back - Good luck!
That's a tricky problem - I had something similar when I installed my engine 2 week ago after a general overhaul
I hope you have an el-diagram
First three general tips:
A. Old red Porsche wires changes colour to brown, but still they are not for the ground!
B. From 1984 Euro only two wires (red and yellow) to the starter but there are still three terminals on the starter!
C. When removing/installing the cables to the injection and ignition controller easily one or more wire(s) can be disconnected from there terminal(s) on the main el-board!
Check the following:
1. Main el-Power to starter (Three thick red wire (Battery, ABS, Generator) -> Terminal 30)
2. El-power to starter when turning the key to starter position (The thin yellow wire) This shall be placed on terminal 50 and not on terminal 15a - 15a is empty from model 1984!
2a. If no power here, you go back to terminal 13/14 in the 14 pin connector in the engine compartment -> Terminal O5 on the main el-board -> Relay XIV -> Starter key switch
And/or eventual. thief lock - Disconnected wires on the main board - Gear handle!!!!
2b. If power here, you connect terminal 30 and 50 with a screwdriver and the starter shall work - if not, the problem is in starter.
You are welcome to come back - Good luck!
Sharkaholic
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Rochester, WA
Amps start your car, not volts. A new battery will show good voltage but if it is not fully charged your amperage won't be enough to crank the engine over.
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Banned
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,248
Likes: 5
From: Ft. Lauderdale FLORIDA
First....clean the contacts on your battery. Then make sure the battery connectors are TIGHT. If that fails... take your battery to the auto parts store and have them test it. That exact scenario played itself out on a Fiat Spyder that I owned in a previous life....
Normy!
'85 S2 5 Speed
Normy!
'85 S2 5 Speed