I agree that the problem is either the neutral safety switch (had the same issue on my 86) or as Hacker described. Will be a bit of a white knuckle trip driving home though. My advice, drive straight thru without shutting down!

 

Good Luck OldFrat. Make it back to the great state of Texas safely.

My 81 is having the same problem as you as of xmas eve. Replaced starter with used 928intl one last January 14. I will try the hammer. The jump post to yellow starter wire only sparked and no cranky. Thanks all for the responses to the OP. I will be using the advice from this thread next week.

 

Thanks guys! Car wouldn't start this morning and I seriously considered, and researched, staying in Bfield and getting it fixed. But the moving the gear lever trick worked, so I took a chance and am now safely on Flagstaff. I'm hoping this trick will work for 2 more days!

When it is running, though, it is running great and I am loving it. I picked up a lot of lost time this afternoon when I was able to tuck in behind a BMW that seemed to have cruise control set at 90. My 928 seemed to love it!

Brad

 

Good news.

Sounds like you have narrowed down your search, too. It only makes sense that it has something to do with the neutral safety switch, since each time you moved the car...you had to move the shifter...but, then again...that's just my two cents.

Good luck with the rest of you trip.

Brian.

 

The adventure continues!

The gear shift trick got me to the motel in Tucumcari. Was delayed a bit on the way when a sheriff's deputy clocked me at 93 and pulled me over. Must have been Bob Seger music affecting my right foot as I was not intentionally going that fast. Miraculously, he only gave me a warning. I deserved a ticket.

Then I left the Tucumcari restaurant tonight and the gear shift trick didn't work. If I can't get it started when things warm up tomorrow my options are to flat bed it back to Sean or have him coach a local mechanic through a temporary fix over the phone. I've e-mailed Sean for guidance.

I'm cool with this. I'm glad I took the chance on driving it out to CA. It gave me great delight along the way. No big rush on getting home. I'm safe and warm in the nostalgic Blue Swallow Motel on Route 66, not stuck in some desert rest area. I've chosen to think of this as an adventure, not a catastrophe.

Brad

 

Seriously now, just have a temp button rigged. You don't even need to go to that trouble if you want to get a 1 foot piece of 10Ga test wire. Locate the 14 pin connector on the right fender, just back of the jump post. Using a small knife, trim back about 1" of the large yellow wire insulation on pin 1. Strip back about 1" of the test wire, and the same on the other end. Now, wrap the test wire around the bare yellow wire next to the 14 pin connector. Turn on the key, then touch the other end of the bare test wire to the jump post until the engine starts, then pull it off the jump post and put the cover on the jump post.

It'll work every time.

 

Many thanks, Doc!!! That might get me home!

I don't know pin numbers, but the yellow wire is the one connected on the upper right hand side when I stand by the passenger fender, lift off the 14 pin connector and flip it over --right?

 

Now we're talkin'....I'm in!

j/k..too much travel time.

 

OK, I skimmed over some...content...but the terminal ends can get corroded and or worn if the starter has been R&Rd a few times. Plus potential oil drippage if the pan gasket is past its prime.

I had an 83 with the main (+) cable replaced with 00 gauge from battery to starter, made a huge difference. I expect due to newness, more-so than fatness.

But, if moving the gearshift affected it- neutral safety switch is a good bet.

Or...I think Doc is bettin' your ignition switch is gonzo. That happens too.

 

There is always U-Haul.

I did that once, in route to Michigan from DC in my 944. And what my wife commonly refers to as “the cheap basta*rd in me” bought some gas from some no-name, penny cheaper station before leaving. So, around Pittsburg, after a couple bottles of dry-gas and few hundred miles of the car feeling like a bucking bronco, the inner part of the clutch plate twisted out of the fiction disc. We called a tow truck on the little call boxes located along the toll road. Well, he gets there, loads it up and asked me if I want it taken to the Porsche dealership in Pitt.

"Nope, take me to the closest U-Haul."

We rented a tow vehicle and trailer...and for five hundred dollars we were on our way home again.

Oh, and by the way…I saved like a buck on that fill up in DC.

Best of luck, with the rest of your adventure!

Brian.

 

You might want to reach under the back and see if you can twist the neutral safety switch connector remove the harness and reinstall it. Also if there is a radio shack locally you might try buying a bottle of de oxit and spray the neutral switch

 

wish I was closer Brad and we'd organise a come rescue trip.

I wouldn't have anyone touch your prestine car other than one of our very knowledgeable brethren so limp home with all the advice we can provide then Sean can repair as required. It would seem to me the neutral switch is related to the no start but perhaps coupled with another issue such as the main wire to the 14 pin connector.
If you can post a pic of the connector so we may guide you further.

 

Was on the phone with him this morning and his car started right up and I told him to just leave it running until he got home. I mentioned something about handing a bit of cash to a local kid to watch it when nature calls.

 

That's one reason you always have a spare key.

I leave the big truck running and run into places quite a bit. Locking it up and using the second set in my pocket is second nature.

 

Yep, good rule...especially if you are taking a long distance trip...and never-ever venture out of state without one.

I'm glad the car started again and the journey continues. This has been a funny adventure, for-sure.

Brian.