I think I'm Selling my 87 S4
10-21-2010, 09:29 AM
#32
Pro
Thread Starter
Mike, you're the man!
I agree that this may be due to new owner frustration and that the car hasn't been vetted out completely. I love the car, if it ran with no problems I would never get rid of it.
The brake light isn't coming on anymore and I know that the tension belt light only comes on because of a wire or a ground. I can live with those things.
It's the engine that scares me. I want to be able to trust it to run well and not break down (especially if I have to make a train at 6am in the morning).
I will definately take you up on your offer. I can't do this weekend either, I'm taking my daughter to look at colleges in Boston.
Maybe next weekend?
Again, thanks for your support, it's guys like you that made me comfortable buying this car to begin with.
I agree that this may be due to new owner frustration and that the car hasn't been vetted out completely. I love the car, if it ran with no problems I would never get rid of it.
The brake light isn't coming on anymore and I know that the tension belt light only comes on because of a wire or a ground. I can live with those things.
It's the engine that scares me. I want to be able to trust it to run well and not break down (especially if I have to make a train at 6am in the morning).
I will definately take you up on your offer. I can't do this weekend either, I'm taking my daughter to look at colleges in Boston.
Maybe next weekend?
Again, thanks for your support, it's guys like you that made me comfortable buying this car to begin with.
10-21-2010, 09:35 AM
#33
Rennlist Member
The timing belt light needs to be addressed very soon.
My suspicion is it needs retensioning despite being new. BTDT. 4X.
Unless you know for a fact that the wire has a known-break/weakness.
My suspicion is it needs retensioning despite being new. BTDT. 4X.
Unless you know for a fact that the wire has a known-break/weakness.
10-21-2010, 09:41 AM
#35
Craic Head
Lifetime Rennlist
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Mike, you're the man!
I agree that this may be due to new owner frustration and that the car hasn't been vetted out completely. I love the car, if it ran with no problems I would never get rid of it.
The brake light isn't coming on anymore and I know that the tension belt light only comes on because of a wire or a ground. I can live with those things.
It's the engine that scares me. I want to be able to trust it to run well and not break down (especially if I have to make a train at 6am in the morning).
I will definately take you up on your offer. I can't do this weekend either, I'm taking my daughter to look at colleges in Boston.
Maybe next weekend?
Again, thanks for your support, it's guys like you that made me comfortable buying this car to begin with.
I agree that this may be due to new owner frustration and that the car hasn't been vetted out completely. I love the car, if it ran with no problems I would never get rid of it.
The brake light isn't coming on anymore and I know that the tension belt light only comes on because of a wire or a ground. I can live with those things.
It's the engine that scares me. I want to be able to trust it to run well and not break down (especially if I have to make a train at 6am in the morning).
I will definately take you up on your offer. I can't do this weekend either, I'm taking my daughter to look at colleges in Boston.
Maybe next weekend?
Again, thanks for your support, it's guys like you that made me comfortable buying this car to begin with.
Send me an e-mail and we'll work out the details: m.r.frye at comcast.net
10-21-2010, 09:48 AM
#36
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Steve I also had a intermittent problem with the brake light coming on on my S4. The cause was the relay in my car. If relays have been changed then check your sensors.
10-21-2010, 01:09 PM
#38
Rennlist Member
Danglerb,
If you look at the list of things Andrew did to this car, you'll agree that 90% of the 'maintenance items' have been addressed. The rest of the issues (MM/PG) have been disclosed. This car was not sold as being 'fully sorted out', merely in great shape and having had many of these issues addressed. The fact that the flex plate was checked/released by someone who actually knows what he's doing is huge, as are the fact that it's got a porkensioner, Pklamp and new fuel lines.
Offer's still good. I'm afraid this weekend would have been perfect (Giants are on Monday night!!!) but I'm going to be spending Saturday at Tass' place and Sunday I should spend time with the family. Let me know your availability for next weekend.
This is completely understandable. We all get that, but usually it's not this soon after taking ownership or we are just more prepared for it.
My advice:
There are four issues you've raised about the car so far (here or in previous posts):
1. Failed emissions for exhaust
2. Rough idle/low RPM issues.
3. Tensioner warning goes off
4. ABS warning goes off
OK, there's nothing that frosts my *** more than driving my pride and joy and having the dash light up like a Christmas tree, especially when it's a bogus warning like a tensioner that's not even part of my car (or in my case, the taillight warning when I know they work, got that fixed a while ago but it used to make me nuts).
Additionally, now that you know the car has these issues it's going to be difficult to sell it without fixing them so I think you're in for fixing these either way at this point. Once you've gotten them sorted out two things will have happened: 1. You will have gotten more familiar with your car and will have more confidence that you can deal with more things that come up and 2. Your car will be fixed so you can drive it with confidence and less stress.
So looking at each of the above issues:
1. You need catalytic converters to pass inspection in NJ. You can get a pair of high flow cats and I can help you install them or you can take them to a shop and have them put in. The shop would do a better job, I would do it for free. Your call.
2. Rough idle/low RPM issues: I offered to go through the LH/EZK test plan with you here in my garage which is equipped with a beer fridge, and heat/AC (though no cable at this point). We'll check the Temp II first back at the harness and then make sure all of the grounds/battery straps are good and clean and show perfect connections. I'm betting this will show that as Andrew suggested, the Temp II is not grounded properly.
3. While we're in there doing #2, we'll make sure to ground the Tensioner warning light and that will NEVER come on again.
4. ABS warning goes off. I'm not sure how this circuit works, but we'll go through all connections and check the wires and make sure nothing is rubbing anywhere and the connections are all clean. Cleaning grounds and connections fixes lots of things you didn't even know were a problem.
If, after all of this you still want to sell the car you'll be able to do it with a good inspection sticker and no warning lights.
Let me know.
PS- I'm going to lay it out for you. I will help you do whatever you want to do with your car if it's in my power/ability to do so. I won't do it for you though. If you want someone to fix it and give it back, I second (is it third or forth now?) the suggestion to take it to Captain Earl. He has a great reputation on here and will get it sorted out.
If you look at the list of things Andrew did to this car, you'll agree that 90% of the 'maintenance items' have been addressed. The rest of the issues (MM/PG) have been disclosed. This car was not sold as being 'fully sorted out', merely in great shape and having had many of these issues addressed. The fact that the flex plate was checked/released by someone who actually knows what he's doing is huge, as are the fact that it's got a porkensioner, Pklamp and new fuel lines.
Offer's still good. I'm afraid this weekend would have been perfect (Giants are on Monday night!!!) but I'm going to be spending Saturday at Tass' place and Sunday I should spend time with the family. Let me know your availability for next weekend.
This is completely understandable. We all get that, but usually it's not this soon after taking ownership or we are just more prepared for it.
My advice:
There are four issues you've raised about the car so far (here or in previous posts):
1. Failed emissions for exhaust
2. Rough idle/low RPM issues.
3. Tensioner warning goes off
4. ABS warning goes off
OK, there's nothing that frosts my *** more than driving my pride and joy and having the dash light up like a Christmas tree, especially when it's a bogus warning like a tensioner that's not even part of my car (or in my case, the taillight warning when I know they work, got that fixed a while ago but it used to make me nuts).
Additionally, now that you know the car has these issues it's going to be difficult to sell it without fixing them so I think you're in for fixing these either way at this point. Once you've gotten them sorted out two things will have happened: 1. You will have gotten more familiar with your car and will have more confidence that you can deal with more things that come up and 2. Your car will be fixed so you can drive it with confidence and less stress.
So looking at each of the above issues:
1. You need catalytic converters to pass inspection in NJ. You can get a pair of high flow cats and I can help you install them or you can take them to a shop and have them put in. The shop would do a better job, I would do it for free. Your call.
2. Rough idle/low RPM issues: I offered to go through the LH/EZK test plan with you here in my garage which is equipped with a beer fridge, and heat/AC (though no cable at this point). We'll check the Temp II first back at the harness and then make sure all of the grounds/battery straps are good and clean and show perfect connections. I'm betting this will show that as Andrew suggested, the Temp II is not grounded properly.
3. While we're in there doing #2, we'll make sure to ground the Tensioner warning light and that will NEVER come on again.
4. ABS warning goes off. I'm not sure how this circuit works, but we'll go through all connections and check the wires and make sure nothing is rubbing anywhere and the connections are all clean. Cleaning grounds and connections fixes lots of things you didn't even know were a problem.
If, after all of this you still want to sell the car you'll be able to do it with a good inspection sticker and no warning lights.
Let me know.
PS- I'm going to lay it out for you. I will help you do whatever you want to do with your car if it's in my power/ability to do so. I won't do it for you though. If you want someone to fix it and give it back, I second (is it third or forth now?) the suggestion to take it to Captain Earl. He has a great reputation on here and will get it sorted out.
^^^^^^THAT IS F@$%ING AWESOME SUPPORT. What an offer!^^^^^^^
I also had that same brake light warning issue. Especially after hitting a bump. The suggestions here of replacing all lights with matching new bulbs, including the side markers and cleaning all the contacts and adding dielectric grease did the trick. I found my rear side marker was a different bulb and also had corrosion.
10-21-2010, 01:13 PM
#39
Team Owner
Steve take a chill pill ................ relax the waters fine!!!
You have local support,
as many would rather see you keep the machine you have in Flying condition than to let er go.
Thanks for stepping up guys as usual,
the 928 community strikes again with goodwill
You have local support,
as many would rather see you keep the machine you have in Flying condition than to let er go.
Thanks for stepping up guys as usual,
the 928 community strikes again with goodwill
10-21-2010, 01:17 PM
#40
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
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The ABS system has three relays one on the fuse panel and two in the fender on the ABS unit. If the warning comes on prior to driving the car it is probably a relay. If it pops up after you drive a few feet it is probably a wheel sendor issue.
10-21-2010, 02:09 PM
#42
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Wow, like others said..
1-Tensioner light -PKtensioner kit comes with a wire spade connector to connect to the sensor wire. You have a bad ground for it. Fix.
2-All other issues related to idle quality / stalling could be a rogue disconnect vacuum line. If it was my car, I would take a weekend 'getting to know the gal' [Shadowman reference..] . Removing the air filter housing and checking to make sure the vacuum lines and mas are all connected would make a big difference in your peace of mind.
I daily drive my shark 60 miles to work every day (5 days a week). I understand being 'concerned' but if you are really 'terrified' that your car wont make it (tisk-tisk) you are not seizing the bull by the horns. I agree, you are probably 500-1000 bucks (labor wise if you dont do the troubleshooting and repair yourself) away from an awesome car. From the pictures you have a sweet black on black paint scheme, and a lot of desirable options. Dont give up you are close to the finish line mate!
1-Tensioner light -PKtensioner kit comes with a wire spade connector to connect to the sensor wire. You have a bad ground for it. Fix.
2-All other issues related to idle quality / stalling could be a rogue disconnect vacuum line. If it was my car, I would take a weekend 'getting to know the gal' [Shadowman reference..] . Removing the air filter housing and checking to make sure the vacuum lines and mas are all connected would make a big difference in your peace of mind.
I daily drive my shark 60 miles to work every day (5 days a week). I understand being 'concerned' but if you are really 'terrified' that your car wont make it (tisk-tisk) you are not seizing the bull by the horns. I agree, you are probably 500-1000 bucks (labor wise if you dont do the troubleshooting and repair yourself) away from an awesome car. From the pictures you have a sweet black on black paint scheme, and a lot of desirable options. Dont give up you are close to the finish line mate!
10-21-2010, 03:47 PM
#43
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As the beginning of this post say's, I THINK I'm selling my car.
I don't have the confidence in it as I should. I can barely make it to work everyday and home every night. I have to put it in neutral so it doesn't stall at traffic lights.
I know it's something very small, but I have been so busy I haven't had a chance to look at it.
The belt tension light come on all the time, I know that is just a loose wire, but when it goes on I say man what a pain.
This morning the big red light came on and said ANTI LOCK BRAKES. I've only had it a month and I can barely drive it to work, the warning lights are coming on and I don't have the time to deal with it.
I love the car, it's in amazing condition. I just don't have the knowledge or time to work on it.
I guess I didn't realize what I was getting into.
I thought, " of course it would need regular maintence", but every thime I sit in the car I'm wondering if I'm going to make it home.
I may change my mind tomorrow. This car is fast and fun.
I don't have the confidence in it as I should. I can barely make it to work everyday and home every night. I have to put it in neutral so it doesn't stall at traffic lights.
I know it's something very small, but I have been so busy I haven't had a chance to look at it.
The belt tension light come on all the time, I know that is just a loose wire, but when it goes on I say man what a pain.
This morning the big red light came on and said ANTI LOCK BRAKES. I've only had it a month and I can barely drive it to work, the warning lights are coming on and I don't have the time to deal with it.
I love the car, it's in amazing condition. I just don't have the knowledge or time to work on it.
I guess I didn't realize what I was getting into.
I thought, " of course it would need regular maintence", but every thime I sit in the car I'm wondering if I'm going to make it home.
I may change my mind tomorrow. This car is fast and fun.
10-21-2010, 05:08 PM
#44
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All cars have problems. Not all cars have a support group such as this. I know you are frustrated, but once you get these very minor problems out of the way, you are going to really enjoy that shark. You are in a perfect position, because most of your car is **** on a ritz... Just hang in there for the community to help you get her sorted and then you will smile every time you drive it, or get a compliment from someone who would love to be driving your car instead of whatever it is they are driving. Speaking from experience, selling a 928 because of ongoing problems can happen. I put a ton of work into my '89, and just let it go. I got to the end of my rope so to speak. The '89 had a lot of MAJOR issues still, compared to yours. It's easy for your heart to get the best of you when you own one of these cars. I usually tend to see 928's in much better condition than they are because I love them so much. In hindsight, I should have sold the 89 long before putting so much money and time into it. I just had my eye so fixed on the prize possible when it was all sorted. I recently searched and bought a excellent condition pre 32V just to have a less complex system to work on for my daily driver. It does everything I want it to do for a daily driver, and it's still no slouch for going fast and hitting the twisties. Someday I will have another S4, and when I do, it will be as close to perfect as possible when I pick it up. Your car seems to fall into the close to perfect catagory. Don't let it go. Good luck!
10-21-2010, 05:47 PM
#45
Steve,
Remember how happy you were before you picked it up from AO, driving it back from MI (except the coolant leak but just a small delay) and posting with a big smile on your face when you got back. This too will all return. Just hang in there and these guys will guide you back to where you need to be. They know thier stuff and give great advise.
Hope the best for ya, hang in there and that you get her back to where it makes you happy again.
Remember how happy you were before you picked it up from AO, driving it back from MI (except the coolant leak but just a small delay) and posting with a big smile on your face when you got back. This too will all return. Just hang in there and these guys will guide you back to where you need to be. They know thier stuff and give great advise.
Hope the best for ya, hang in there and that you get her back to where it makes you happy again.