928newb

Hello everybody,

I could not resist the urge and bought a 1986 S4 in non running condition.
The car looks really nice for its age and the previous owner has done a major tune up before it stopped running.

The problems are of electrical nature, from what I`ve been told, the previous owner tampered with the alarm, and now all the car does is flashing the warning sign on the cluster. The starter is not cranking.

I know that it`s next to impossible to do a distance "diagnosis", but if someone has an idea where to start looking, please share your thoughts.

Also, are the parts interchangeable with a 1985 S4 or were there significant differences between these model years?

Thanks in advance.

AirtekHVAC

Welcome....I can't help much with the newer stuff, but the gang will chime in soon.....please post some pics of your new baby, and flip through the different threads.....make sure to replace fuel lines, vacuum lines, etc....

Landseer

Pictures would be good. Better description of car or else VIN so somebody here can run a list of options. Automatic or manual?

We specialize at distance diagnosis. Will have you running in circles within hours, but eventually the car will probably run! Where are you located?

chrisjbell

This...

A. Reimer

Do you have a specialist in your area? Or more importantly somebody you trust to give an accurate diagnosis? Which is sometimes helpful before purchasing the vehicle...lol.
From what you've described thus far...potentially not for the faint hearted.
Nevertheless, I wish for you the best possible outcomes. The more 928s in tip-top, the better
Kudos for taking the challenge.
Pics?

928newb

Gentlemen,

the vin is WP0JB0921GS861186

here are some pics:

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John Speake

It's quite usual for imobilisers to act on the start motor relay and also the fuel pump relay.

Go to 928sRus' website and order the set of WSM and Tech data, that's a necessary starting point.

Then when people give you some fault tracing ideas, you will both have the same starting point (pun alert !)

frankle951

I love the 1986.5, hope you got a good deal on it ???, if you need any help with it, I can talk you thru some of the issue, or I can look at my 86 928S3 car, and everybody else, that's on rennlist, great group of guys !!!!!!

Landseer

Great looking unmolested car!

As Frankie noted, because the VIN is 1000 or greater, its an 86.5 S, which means it has some mechanical and suspension features of the soon-to-be released 87 S4 with new body style. For example, as member Porken mentioned a long time ago, if in a side view the rear jack points are visible, its an 86.5. Bingo.

Does the engine turn over and just not start? Did it start just after the "tune up" at least for a while?

Different ones of us who rescue the 85/6 cars have our own opinions of sequence of refreshing the electrical. I clean all grounds, including two deep in valley at rear (critical) and change fuel hoses in the process with a very specific type of hose -- broken hoses on these cars are well docuemented will create a fireball and it happens after people get their hands in their.. Change CPS in valley also.

Pull out fuse panel, replace the mission critical relays, replace all fuses with the right new ones.

Let other's speak up. My approach is deep thorough electrical cleaning and sensor replacement even before I know it will run.

PorKen

Try putting a jumper in place of the starter relay.

Battery must be in good condition and fully charged.

928newb

Thank you gents,

I kinda fell in love with that thing and found it sacrilegious that it was just sitting there..

The tune up was done by professional shop, then the previous owner messed around with the alarm...et voila.

btw, it came with 3 CD roms with specs etc.

As for the situation at hand, it does not crank at all.

The warning system flashes and beeps, shows low brake fluid.

The car has been sitting for at least 6 years.

When I turn the key into the starting postion, the relay No 4 clicks (ignition x), but no reaction from the starter relay.

Which points do I have to jump?

fraggle

Review the wsm and central electric so you get a good idea of what you're bypassing before you start bypassing relays. Have a voltmeter handy and some leads for testing.

If it the stock alarm, there are ways to bypass it. Look for PO extra wires and such' probably start by carefully removing them.

Mrmerlin

at this point is entirely possibe that someone has installed a relay in the wrong position and or one of the relays is bad.

SO get a fuse relay chart RnR each relay check for the correct part # and also make sure the fuses are all cleaned and they are in the proper locations also make sure that the empty slots are indeed empty.

Make sure the battery terminals are clean as well as the 14 pin at the hot post under the hood, replace the ground strap if its got corrosion

928newb

[IMG][/IMG]

Here`s what the fusebox looks like. Tested the fuses, they are OK.

According to the schematics, there are relays with different parts numbers, this one has the same type of relay in multiple sockets. I ran the parts number and it`s some kind o "universal relay".
(the horn relay is installed correctly, but the aluminum cap is sideways)

The starter relay DOES click now.

I have tried to jump the starter directly to see if it cranks and it does nothing. Not even a click.

Is there a way to check if the engine turns over manually?

fbarnhill

Hey, I, also have an 86.5 project going. I have already done my fuse box. There is a very good write-up on how to do it here on Rennlist somewhere. Search is your friend. I am pulling my engine this week for the 2nd time. (Long story) and hope to have it back running like new as a Christmas present to me. I do have a bunch of 86.5 related stuff so, let me know if you need things where a used part will work. I love your car and if you do it right, she will pay you back over many years.