bdickason

Hi guys,

My wife and I have been stuck at a gas station for an hour now trying to get our 1980 928 to start. We've been driving it all weekend with no issues whatsoever.

We just refilled the tank, and now when we turn the key, the engine doesn't attempt to start, it just clicks a bit.

We've run into this problem twice before:
1) we removed the key from the ignition, turned the steering wheel to the right until it locked, and then turned the key while turning the steering wheel to the right to disable the steering column lock.

2) the alarm would go off every time we started it, so we had to unlock the drivers side door with the main (long black) key to disable the alarm and then we're able to start it.

We've tried nearly every combination of the above and have not been able to get the alarm to trigger, or the car to start. Our theory is that the alarm is stopping the car from starting but we're not able to trigger it or disable it.

We have very few tools, so we're stuck.

Any ideas?

76FJ55

try hitting the starter while your wife attempts to start it. mine did the same thin at 3rd coast a couple years ago and that got it to start. if you dont have anything heavier you can always use the tow hook from the tool kit.

If you can hear it clicking it is unlikely that it is the alarm (assuming it functions similar to my 85), as the alarm disables the start relay. With the relay disabled you shouldn't hear the click of the starter solenoid.

por917

If it is making just a clicking noise maybe it is a flat battery. Try getting a jump to get the proper amount of current. It's just a suggestion. If it does start get it home then check out the voltage with a multi meter. Hope you can get it home good luck.

bdickason

I wasn't confident enough to bang on our starter (not to mention I'm only 50% sure I even know which part it is).

However, we managed to fix it through a little luck. It was related to the steering wheel lock. We locked the wheel (keys out of ignition) and then I leaned on the wheel very hard and held it to the right as hard as I could and my wife turned the keys. I'm not sure what was different about this attempt, but it worked!

Now we have to try to reproduce it so we can figure out how she can prevent this when she's alone.

extanker

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medipedicman

Have you considered locking the car from the passenger side, then unlocking twice (two quick turns of the key). Open hatch and remove ground strap. Let rest for two minutes then hook ground back up. The locks and everything else cycles through. You should be good to go.

I actually rescued my wife in the 87 from a parking lot this week using this technique. Good luck and report back.

76FJ55

Still hedging my bet on the starter. If you heard clicking the solenoid had to be receiving the signal from the ignition, which would not be happening if the alarm was causing the issue.
By all means keep investigating all possibilities, but I would not rule out the starter just because it started after rocking the steering wheel.

hacker-pschorr

My 81 used to have random starting issues just like this. One time at a gas station it started after taking off the parking brake.....

It ended up being the power wire that goes from the multi plug (next to the jump start terminal) down to the starter. Once I pulled back the insulation, literally only 4-5 strands of that wire were left, the rest corroded away.
The outside of the loom showed no signs of any issues.

The first time I started the car after replacing that wire I thought my valves were bent because it spun over so fast.

WallyP

The connector next to the jump start terminal also gives a possible way for an emergency start procedure.

This is much safer and easier with two people - have someone in the driver's seat to operate the ignition switch, throttle, gearshift, clutch, etc.

You need a small piece of stranded wire. Locate the heavy yellow wire in the corner of the connector. If you can momentarily connect the conductor of the yellow wire to the jump start terminal, the starter should operate.

WARNING! The starter will spin whether the transmission is in gear or not! If you have a five-speed, the car will cheerfully run over your foot... Make very certain that the car is out of gear, auto or five-speed.

James Bailey

The ignition electrical switch may be failing....common issue every 20-30 years. Be sure to get a real one !!

Alan

It certainly is nothing to do directly with your interesting manipulations of the wheel - that was just coinicence.

So its either the ignition switch failing (and moving the wheel may have jiggled it)

or the battery was just low (or both)

or the ground strap is failing (or any 2 - or all 3)

Test the battery and consider a new one - also order a new (not Chinese knock-off) switch and a new battery ground strap (if you haven't ever changed that out).

Its worth just doing all these because they are likely culprits (if not now then later) and cheap and pretty easy to do.

Alan

James Bailey

I thought early alarm allowed the engine to crank but not start....

jheis

If it just clicks when you turn the key, the battery is discharged.

If it cranks but doesn't fire, it's probably the alarm - which cuts off the fuel pump. Do a search - I've posted instructions on how to bypass the alarm before.

James

Alan

All things considered - the alarm is not really a consideration here...

Worry about the other things noted

Alan