Bucko74

....hate to see her on a tow truck for the first time. Auto club thinks its a simple case of the fuel pump packing up after being parked for a few months. Never had a problem before but I guess I'll be happy if thats all it is.

Not looking for a diagnosis, just some sympathy.

The Patman

I don't often understand my wife and her pets. She seems to think they are somehow...people. She talks to them as if they could actually understand even a single word she says. She'll let the dog sleep in the bed, and she'll cry if one of them gets hurt. "Jeesh, it's just a dog", I think. (not aloud mind you).

She on the other hand, completely dismisses the notion that my cars have their own personalities. She claims that she has heard me talk to each of them, in different tones, and even in different languages. Humph. She's crazy. I would never do that. Right?

She's claimed once that saw me couching next to (and gently stroking) a dinged wheel saying "don't worry sweetheart, I'll get ya fixed up". Then She looks at me in much the same way that an adult child looks at a grandfather that speaks to an imaginary and long ago passed spouse.

I guess some people just don't understand what it means to be a motorhead. To be a driver. To be passionate about the science...the art, the beauty, and the sport.
They don't all understand the satisfaction of a perfectly clean vehicle on a beautiful Saturday morning, or the horror of getting stuck on an otherwise delicious road...behind a cattle truck.
they can't feel the overheating brakes. Or hear the dulcet tones of the well tuned V-8.

No Bucko, everyone isn't like us. They're just not cut from the same cloth.

A friend once said to me, in a defensive tone, "I'm a driver too!".

"No my friend...you're just driving".

So just know Bucko, that in this arena, we understand. Here, you and your sentiments are safe...and understood. Know that here you are among friends, and that we are all standing behind you silently watching the silver shark roll unpowered off the the shop. We're all patting you on the shoulder and saying "don't worry mate, she'll be alright soon...that is...if ya have enough money".

Gman1003

I can imagine how tough this is for you, especially at this time of year of celebration. Hopefully the news will be in someway good and that the repairs will only be minor and your car will home soon like a well wrapped gift!

Koenig-Specials 928

I agree with you Bucko. I hate it when mine has to ride in the back as well. Did it 5 months ago midway of a 1000 mi trip, had to take her back home and use the truck instead. Wife thought I behaved as if my best friend was sick. This is my 3rd 928 in 25 years and I don't ever imagine not ever having one in my garage. I've had this one for 15 years now and would probably be buried in it. Lucky for me, my wife loves this car also and leaves me alone when its sick.

Hopefully its just the fuel pump which isn't too bad to replace. Change the short hose, check valve and the filter if those haven't been changed in a while.

Brent

Second week of ownership, fuel pump. No big thing. There is life after the tow truck. Good luck.

Mrmerlin

Bucko sorry about your ride it will be better after its fixed.

Patman thats a great Piece of writing your quite talented, thanks

danglerb

Tow trucks don't worry me, as long as they take the 928 to a shop that knows the 928.

If you don't hear any sound from the fuel pump, could be fuel pump, first check the relay and fuse.

Mark R.

I totally feel your frustration, with your baby dying on you like that...

But I'm sorry to say I can't identify with "seeing it up on the tow truck".
(or perhaps I should be saying I'm glad I can't identify with that).

In all my years of 928 ownership, I have never had one up on a flat bed.

There have only been two occasions when they have died and stranded me.

And both times I was able to improvise/repair them on the side of the road.



P.S. - Did they use the proper front tow hook to drag it up onto the flatbed..?
(I can't really tell from the picture...).

Bucko74

Thanks Guys for your words of wisdom and encouragement. "Penny" will be up and about soon. Surprisingly my wife has been very sympathetic.

I had all of my tools packed up (as we were moving house at the time) so had no chance to even run diagnostic on fuel circuit (fuses relays etc). Got her running rough with a bit of engine start sprayed up the intake, so sure fuel is the culprit and there is defineitly no pump noise coming from near the tank when ignition is on. Shes now home at the new place waiting patiently for me to get her sorted out.

Anyway....I have two weeks off over Christmas so was hoping to go cruising in the beautiful OZ summer weather. Looks like it will be sweating over her in the garage instead.

And NO! they wouldn't use the tow hook, said it was policy to pull using the lower control arms only.

SteveG

It was a dark and stormy day. It was with some pride I said to the flat bed operator, "She runs . . . I can bring her out to the truck for you." She hadn't had a fatal event, she was just a little under the weather. I just had a leak in a transmission cooling line that needed snugging and I needed professional help. So I followed closely behind, like a protective parent.

the flyin' scotsman

my S4 had a relapse once when the fuel pump light switch went off......flatbed home, replace the 20 YO parts and away we go again.

thx for the post Patman; we are of the same vein

Big Dave

We've all been there. Several of us have been there several times

Bucko74

Ok, I finally moved house and got through enough "man" jobs to keep the wife happy and allow me some time to start the diagnosis and hopefully easy fix......no such luck. I am in need of a sanity check as my initial findings are confusing.

Just to recap- turn over but no start. plenty of spark, no fuel getting to the engine. Euro 84S2 Auto.

So I followed the checklist posted here on rennlist by a smarter bloke than me.

1. Checked for fuel pump noise when ignition on - NO NOISE
2. Checked power to fuse 22 - ALL GOOD
3. Changed out fuel pump relay - NO CHANGE
4. Jumped terminals 30 and 87 on fuel pump relay - OK, I CAN HEAR THE PUMP RUNNING.
5. Drop 10litres of fuel in the tank, jump relay again for 10-20 seconds, then try to start - NOTHING, JUST TURNS OVER.

So I've come to the following conclusions.
1. Fuel pump ok??
2. Power to fuel circuit ok, but no trigger of pump relay - LH ECU Faulty???

But if my conclusions are correct, shouldn't she start once i get the fuel pump running, or does this truly mean the LH ECU is fried?

I also am thinking that maybe the alarm I have fitted (by PO) is causing the issue and not allowing power to ECU.

So I am lost. Any helpful insights before I tow it to the workshop?

Mrmerlin

a quick thing first make sure the battery is fully charged,
then hold your foot to the floor crank for 20 seconds till it starts to run if no run then swap your computers into a known running car.

some of the things to look for with a bad computer,
the injectors will click with the key on,
the tach wont bounce when cranking.
the engine will run then stop once warmed up then run again when cold.

always make sure the battery is fully charged,
as a weak battery will allow a unstart,
this will foul the plugs, then it may not even start with a full battery.

Hold foot to the floor and crank is the usual solution
then replace the plugs and possibly the ignition wires if they are old

Bucko74

Appreciate your comments.

Obviously I flattened the battery when it didn't start last month, but I charged it with my charger and it seemed pretty strong.

I just tried starting again with my foot flat to the floor, and a jump on the relay so i know the pump is running, and nothing. I've flattened to battery trying.

Even if it did start under this condition, still wont without the jump in place as there is nothing enrrgising the relay???

Feels as if the ECU is not functioning, but no suspect ticking from the injectors, the tacho needle is jumping during turn over. And never had starting or running issues with her before.

frustrating!