landsharklady

Hello, after some opinions.
1989 s4 auto, today, started fine after sitting 2 days I the cold and wet, short drive to shop, then after about 30 mins, started it, and it immediately stalled.
Started again, slight stumble/pause, but started up and drive home fine.
I'm wondering if this was just a one-off grumble caused by cold and wet, or the start of DME failure.
I have spare DME's in the car, if it does it again, I'll switch it over.
Starter relay is new btw.

Mrmerlin

I would suggest to open the CE panel cover and look for water dripping from the blower box,
also check the hot post connections ,
fit a hot post cover if yours is missing.
Check the rear of the hatch area for water ingress and getting the ground connection wet,
maybe your getting ready to replace the ground cable

landsharklady

I checked the back for water, few drops which I think got there when the hatch dried as I opened it.
Mechanic checked ground straps for me last month, all looks good-will investigate ce when its light, I've out bags of silicon moisture absorbing stuff ask over the inside of the Car!

Mrmerlin

all looks good-will investigate ce when its light,...
actually you should check it while or just after it rains the water will be easier to see if its there

I've out bags of silicon moisture absorbing stuff ask over the inside of the Car! ....
I am not really sure what this means would you care to explain it?

jon928se

Somebody else who can spell but has dyslexic fingers ? I think it means

I've put bags of silicon moisture absorbing stuff all over the inside of the Car!

Mrmerlin

if thats true why the need for desiccant?

If the car is wet inside then you have other issues to address desiccant isnt the solution.

Going back make sure to check the CE panel after a rain see if the floor is wet or there are drip trails running down the threaded fasteners of the blower box,
the water will drip onto the fuses and relays and the threads will be rusted

Landseer

Change the ground strap.
Your mechanic doesn't have a clue.

Hilton

Worth emphasizing.. its not you he's insulting (some people take stuff like that personally )

Landseer

Its the least expensive and most unexpected major fix that I've seen 928 cars require.

So simple most mechanics ignore it.

He wouldn't likely have tested the ground strap, BTW, in the manner in which the test would show failure.

10 USD.

Whether or not there are other co-root causes, I can just about guarantee this will be one of them.

landsharklady

car has a leak from sun roof, nothing spectacular, but pain in the **** as motor doesn't work and p/o has glued the cover over the manual handle down with something very tough.
i've minimized the leak as much as possible without blocking drains (drivers side one works, not 100% about passenger side) and as additional precautions, ive put bags of silicon under where the drip hits and generally around the car to absorb moisture in the atmosphere.
There are no signs of water ingress at/around the ce board, no rust or corroded relays, no condensation on anyhing.

mechanic did test the ground straps a month ago with regards to an unrelated issue, i can't remember what he did, but he was happy with them.
i have no way at all to access the engine strap, the one in the back has been scrubbed and sprayed with electrical spray stuff.

if car does it again i'm going to switch out the dme relay, then i think the ht leads are due replacing anyway. any recommendations on leads?

i'll post any updates. cheers chaps :-)

landsharklady

sorry for typos btw, i keep switching from phone to tablet and they have keyboards that work differently- hence.lots of mistakes!

Mrmerlin

you can fix the sunroof by taking the roof out and replacing the drip tray thats bolted to the rear edge of the roof ,

you can open the roof by turning the rubber isolator that connects the motor and the transmission.
do a search for sunroof adjustment.

NOTE the sunroof may not be leaking but rather the hatch seal.
you can reseal the seal with hondabond ,
this involves removing the two rear sunvisors and the top hatch trim panel ,
as well as the hatch light,
disconnect the battery first.
Park the car in a spot where it wont be out in the rain

Landseer

Wet 928?
If its original, the ground strap is causing the intermittent electrical issues.
No way to clean it.

landsharklady

Fyi, no starting problems as all for several months, think stalling was actually due to a MAF getting worse and worse and how nopw been replaced and car is running much quicker and smoother- if at lower rpm.

westija

This might help to fix the sunroof leak:

http://jenniskens.livedsl.nl/Technic...5/MyTip593.htm

Good luck