nc_growler

Your list and progress are both inspirational. Stay with it! You will be rewarded!

yaskota

Received a phone call from Keala at Motor Werkes on Thursday, June 5th informing me that Gerard & Crew had traced it all down to a bad ignition coil.

Picked up Ele on Friday, June 6th after they did some road testing & spoke with Gerard, new ignition coil in place. Old coil had poor resistance value/ohm reading.
In getting to that, fuel pressure, ignition system, injectors all checked & ok (except for IC).

Following up from last week's visit: the high side fitting for the A/C was the source of the A/C leak and replaced and there is uneven wear with my rear brakes.

...and while the previous "To Do Next" list is still intact (CE Panel Refresh, Cleaning Grounds (Phase 1), & finishing Sunroof Refresh- I have put them on hold until *after* Sunday's PCA(H) meeting and another round of physical therapy Monday morning. (Just so I have a little more breathing room for getting things done, you know, just... in... case!)

yaskota

Oh... and pictures!

Just a link to a general repository for now until I get things more organized, but at least these are coming from Lightroom and captioned. Some semblance of order will come... eventually...


https://www.flickr.com/photos/150655...7644623488098/

yaskota

FYI: One last recipe to check... will have results to you before the end of the week!

Ladybug83

Nice! Glad you got the ignition sorted out. Sounds like Ele is coming along nicely

antsmands

Glad you got her back running and thanks for the pics. Looks like a lot of work but sure is going to be fun! Enjoy the process!

Bucko74

Tom,

I have to say that I'm sure we have a fair bit in common (other than the fact we are all in love with these beautiful machines).

I too recently purchased a "work in progress" 84S2 - about this time last year. I have looked at your list of 'work required' and it is very similar to mine also. I have always wanted to own one of these cars, and actually came close to purchasing a 90S4 some years back, but decided to get married instead (that was a mistake, she cost me far more). Anyway, after renewing my enthusiasm, came across one for sale locally. The guys who owned it was about 150yrs old, so I was a bit reluctant, but decided that a project car was a good way to justify the purchase.

So, I am really interested in following your journey and perhaps learning from your experiences along the way. I've learnt already that it pays to have a go at repairs/upgrades yourself after sinking $3200 into my brakes at one porsche specialist (think they saw me coming). I'm sorry to hear you've had engine troubles, and touch wood, my only issue to date after 14 months, is throwing a belt a few times due to a alternator pulley mis alignment. since then, hours of trouble free cruising.

Good luck going forward, I'll follow this closely. Hopefully I might even be able to help with a few things I've learnt already. Keep up the progress pics.

yaskota

First off, I want to thank y'all for the information and encouragement. If direct responses are warranted, I will indeed follow up.

As for an update on Ele's rear brakes, in speaking with her mechanic- I've let him know that I want to do some brake work and replace a seal with my AT in July.

My thoughts are that brake work will include (at least!):
-new lines (all around)
-fluid drain, flush & refill
-a general overall cleaning (?) (which I want to try on my own)
-new pads (where applicable)
-new/resurface rotors (as applicable)

There may be more, but that's not a bad start. If it's fiscally feasible for me to do the fronts at the same time, I will.

As for AT(F)..
-I'll scour the PT for replacement parts I know Ele needs (per Gerard) and anything which may pop up in research related to a known leak and anything that may make knowing fluid levels and topping off a bit easier for me at the moment.

Until then, however, I'm chasing one- or possibly a few- electrical ghosts which popped up on Wednesday in the form of what seems to be an alternator issue but, in my mind, anything that could draw down my battery is first on the suspect list. Battery is (checking...) still waiting for a green light from my charger before going back in to test sitting draw before I start hunting. (btw- since Monday- & post CD-Panel refresh, I've (re-) connected a few electrical items that were unplugged before my time: rear wiper, rear hatch motor, something (I have no clue what!) that was on the passenger side of the center console and possibly two or more things..).

Also on my list (just for tomorrow- Saturday!) is cleaning the 14 pin connector under the hood AND as many ground points and other electrical items (like interior switches!) as I can get to.

Dremel & DeOxit at the ready & looking to make a decent day of it!

OTR18WHEELER

while looking for electrical ghosts (gremlins), check all of the interior lights, all of them!, take them out and check the contacts. The plastic parts are brittle and can lead to a slow drain and short. If your door chime sounds sick with the doors closed while driving, you may have a bad interior light.

yaskota

Thanks OTR!

Checking all interior lights, clean, lube, check wiring when necessary and replace all bulbs (Interior and exterior- incl. pod switch lights) is one of the first things I did upon taking possession (in February)... after replacing rear hatch struts (lol). Did door pin switches too.

Still up- red door lights, check to see if I have a proper bulb for engine compartment, refresh all instrument & center console lighting.

I'm also curious if anyone has tried insulating interior lights from body metal- such as a heat friendly rubber cup, grommet, or gasket. Haven't search forum yet but I'd have to think another owner has done this or something similar. If not, it shouldn't be too hard as with my MY it may be one size for the doors; one for cockpit, rear and hatch (all the same, I think); and one for glovebox. (Will check sizes during research or before doing anything.)

Once everything is working properly, and has for a while, an LED upgrade is already on my wish list. Just want to get everything working properly first...

I can add too that it took roughly two days for my battery charger (Yuasa) to show green for my Interstate MTP-91 which was last charged (on charger) about a month ago when refreshing sunroof.

With that and my driving habits in mind... maybe I'll find that it is indeed my alternator! (lol!)

yaskota

Happiness = one more light working. Red door lights up next...


PS: Update on brakes (esp. rear) and possible alternator work coming soon...

yaskota

Aloha!

So.. Since last update: 2000 miles clocked since taking possession on Feb 28th and eventual legal operation (by mid/late April); installed new battery (Odyssey PC1700-A) and had rebuilt alternator (courtesy of 928 International) installed locally by Gerard and crew at Motor Werkes (Honolulu).

Ele has been quite solid since (relatively speaking): no *new* electrical issues- just an indication (by spastic pod voltmeter needle) that something isn't right somewhere (possible short, bad contact, ground, etc.) which I am already working on... but slowly. I did have a bit of a scare/newbie moment recently when I was driving and intentionally trying to empty my fuel tank: Both Red "!" lights came on and I did the newbie to 928 panic dance... that is until I noticed my reserve light kicked on and I pressed the button to cancel the warning. (I was going at a pretty decent speed on a pretty open Hawaii Interstate at the time after Joy of Sake a few weeks back- man those red lights are bright!)

The main carry-over issue since last post is (drumroll): rear brakes.

With that in mind, Ele is going in soon for new brake lines (to calipers x4; having Goodridge G-stop lines installed). Also ordered new cross-drilled & slotted Zimmerman discs for the rears as right rear has become pretty chewed up over the past month or two (due to 30 year old brake lines!). New pads- EBC Redstuff also on order for the rears. Will do a similar configuration on my fronts when they need it. Still, a "someday all-wheel upgrade (GTS?)" might be nice. But not today, unfortunately due to $- or lack thereof (at the moment).

Little things that will be happening at or around the same time:

• Switching to black lug nuts (Courtesy of 928 Int’l)
• Have 928 Motorsports Front Protection Plates Installed
• See if I can- or have- my “driver familiarization cracks” in front spoiler repaired
• Register with on-post self-service garage so I can put Ele on a lift
• Trying to make a rubber boot for dome lights to prevent/reduces opportunities for a short (had some sparks the other day when I was checking contacts on cockpit dome light!)

What else… I did re-install CE Panel a while back, but project still open as I noticed grommets missing (lower pegs) and need to document and answer an earlier post (by me) re: a plug (y plug?).

Still up… and hoping to tackle this month: instrument cluster (i.e. turn signal lever, cruise control lever, etc.) and Pod refresh (contacts, lighting (?), adjust fuel gauge, etc.). Recently dived into central console switches (windows, sunroof, rear wiper) and surprised to see there isn't really much work to do there (in a general DeOxIt-ization kinda way). Will pull entire center console to clean things up and do some DeOxIt-ization et al. Need to answer question from other Rennlister re: visibility of Blauapunkt Toronto 420- and will do in relevant thread; in brief, I pressed down on front & up on rear of mounting bracket to give radio flatter (i.e. vertical, 90°) face in an attempt (successfully, I think) to minimize glare. Proper, higher quality and tinting should help even more. (As should not wearing polarized sunglasses!)

And...

• Need to use Mityvac to diagnose HVAC; read here somewhere (and/or WSM) how and why and it fits within the realm of diagnostic steps... I think. (?)
• Investigating cost and availability of misc. body work on-island. Yes, I had my first recovering paraplegic oopsi (very gently rear-ending someone at a drive thru after aggressive physical therapy!). Minor damage to Ele, none to other driver.
• Waiting on replacement speakers (x4) from Hans (the Great)- no rush though...
• Re-installed DS Door panel prior to going on a hot date; incredibly easy to remove and re-install... provided one has decent (enough) door card and replacement black plastic clips. My door card has seen betters and is covered with waaay too much duct tape from a PO. Will be obtaining fiberglass something, remove, reinforce and reinstall soon. Will post as appropriate.
• Randomly replacing carpet pieces courtesy of better than mine purchase from fellow Rennlister (ah the benefits of membership!).

And... so much more!

In the category of “What’s Working Now That Didn’t Before”...
DS seat up/down control. When I picked it up after early July alternator install- I hit my head on the roof and was curious how I managed that. Sure enough, one of my mechanics had raised the seat! Soon, I’ll go to Wet Okole to get my covers adapted for the DS seat switches! (Which I couldn’t do before as the seat wasn’t going up! (to secure seat cover straps!)

A Brief History of Things That Work Now But Didn’t Before:

• Fog Lights
• HVAC Blower
• Selectable left/right parking lights
• Sunroof
• Idle
• Exhaust leak fixed (you know, where the cat should have been!)
• Windshield Wipers park
• DS Door Pin Switch
• DS Door Interior Handle
• DS Door Stop
• Hood Lift Struts
• Hatch Lift Struts
• Cigarette Lighter Light!!!
• Dome & Door Lights (White)
• Under Hood Light

I must admit though- the most difficult task with Eleonore is establishing her pedigree... fact vs. fiction, if you will. After all, it's a small island; I have seller and PO (two different people!) telling me she's a Euro. Facts disprove this w/out a doubt (VIN, features, other model/serial numbers, etc.).. even minor ones. And though the seats (front and rear?) _may_ be leather (as advertised) the rest of the interior does not seam to be- no stitched seams (and _not_ as advertised). However...Rumor has it (same sources) Ele has '79 cams and "other" upgrades (Bilstein x4 and something-something springs, for example). But I realize I may not know for sure until a complete teardown/rebuild is attempted.

So, me thinks... is Ele an attempt to turn a US model into something w/Euro performance? Maybe... But wouldn't more be needed? A dyno run is definitely in her future... Still need to get with an earlier PO (to research pedigree) and will do- hopefully soon. Those owners of 928s with clearer, more established and better documented histories, I am a bit envious. Good thing I enjoy a mystery though!

Other than all that... she's definitely fun to drive!

-tom

yaskota

Quickie update...

HVAC...AC went AWOL!
Did some reading of the WSM and forum posts yesterday and have tested my HVAC and found a few of the internal doors not operating correctly. Will add appropriate 928sRUs vacuum diaphragms to my shopping list. In the interim- felt for recirc flap and it was stuck on drawing fresh air. Enter paint stick. Yay I have pretty darn cold AC again!

Hatch Release
Switches by DS & PS seats have not worked since taking possession... found a dangling plug under rear tool cover and two wires that had been snipped. Reconnected all and mechanism activates by switches now. Of course, hatch doesn't unlatch but will order the appropriate parts if necessary...

Horn Pad Inop
Checking in a moment. Actual horn was checked w/9V a few months ago and works fine. Just not when pressing horn pad. Hoping it will activate if I short across contacts. If no such luck will set aside time to start tracing wiring after refreshing steering wheel control switches (wipers, lights, etc.) sometime this week.

Rear Wiper Inop
Noticed some cut wires dangling nearby; will re-connect in hopes that is all that is needed. Console switch was cleaned and DeOxIt-ized a few weeks back, so I really think the difficultly- especially w/recent CE Panel refresh- is a simple no power to the motor kind of issue.

Also... should be getting email this evening that my rear Zimmerman rotors are en route...

A quick, but good 928 day...

Bucko74

Any issues with the engine since your greenwire replacement? I was just reading an old post and didn't realise you had so much trouble with that.

yaskota

Fortunately, no... no issues with Ele's engine. I definitely wish I had a garage and another vehicle to drive so I could spend more time on the engine, but that will have to wait for now. Nothing really wrong though- just wanting to clean things up and make a bunch of improvements and replace items that should be replaced after 30 years of existence.

In an ideal world, I'd love to have some pros take Ele completely apart- engine included- and totally revamped. I am hopeful that I may have the finances to do this someday... but certainly not at the moment.