Strange 944 Running/ No Start Issues....
04-04-2019, 11:31 AM
#256
I suspect that the terminal 30 issue was just a poor connection or anomaly because it is certainly working correctly now that you have a new DME relay fitted so no need to persue that .
Glad to hear that it is finally running , you must be very relieved and elated . it will take a little time but eventually you'll start to trust that it won't cut out on you again hopefully.
One positive thing to take from all this is that you have fixed it with your own efforts and learnt a lot in the process so you have that satisfaction .
Glad to hear that it is finally running , you must be very relieved and elated . it will take a little time but eventually you'll start to trust that it won't cut out on you again hopefully.
One positive thing to take from all this is that you have fixed it with your own efforts and learnt a lot in the process so you have that satisfaction .
I cant thank everyone who replied over the two threads, Dj over at Don Jackson Enterprises in Peoria is always helpful, Gene over at Porsche chandler, Larry up at 20th street auto in Phoenix. Rich for fixing my ECU. But Dan and Peanut you guys are the stars of the show. I’m very greatful for your time in helping me out.
My biggest satisfaction was telling everyone who told me the car was junk and to just cut my losses and sell it that I got it running. I’m a third owner of a 36 year old Classic Porsche that car is not leaving my family for a very long time.
The 944 has a reputation for being high maintenance but that’s exactly why I bought it so I could learn how all this works.
Ooft im getting sentimental I fancy a drive.
Not out of the woods entirely my brake lights aren’t working and neither are my hazards. My turn signals work though.
Im assuming a bad Hazard switch and maybe my brake light switch has gone bad too.
04-05-2019, 01:54 PM
#259
By some f*cking miracle I’m home. And when I was cranking I had plenty of fuel pressure. Magically it slowly started up so I decided to get it as close to home as possible. It died again while idling at a light just when it turned green of course. Then miraculously it started again almost immediately and lasted until I got home
04-05-2019, 01:59 PM
#260
Burning Brakes
Wow that was lucky ! been there done that and its not great being stranded is it.
sounds like there is still an idle stabilisation issue which is not surprising I suppose considering all the things that have been disturbed including the idle mixture setting.
Does the idle stay steady or does it rise and fall ?
sounds like there is still an idle stabilisation issue which is not surprising I suppose considering all the things that have been disturbed including the idle mixture setting.
Does the idle stay steady or does it rise and fall ?
04-05-2019, 02:13 PM
#261
Wow that was lucky ! been there done that and its not great being stranded is it.
sounds like there is still an idle stabilisation issue which is not surprising I suppose considering all the things that have been disturbed including the idle mixture setting.
Does the idle stay steady or does it rise and fall ?
sounds like there is still an idle stabilisation issue which is not surprising I suppose considering all the things that have been disturbed including the idle mixture setting.
Does the idle stay steady or does it rise and fall ?
When it died these last two times it died instantly. Without warning.
04-05-2019, 02:24 PM
#262
Its steady with my original DME
04-05-2019, 06:51 PM
#264
Drifting
Oh Man!
I think you should stick to the "better" ECU and for now, at least, assume that it is working as it should. You've had experienced eyes on its circuit board that I assume would have caught and repaired any cracked solder joints.
Does it stall only while idling or when throttle is open as well?
I think you should stick to the "better" ECU and for now, at least, assume that it is working as it should. You've had experienced eyes on its circuit board that I assume would have caught and repaired any cracked solder joints.
Does it stall only while idling or when throttle is open as well?
04-05-2019, 06:51 PM
#265
Burning Brakes
The engine is obviously starting and running normally all the rest of the time and no signs of an over-rich mixture so maybe we should start looking at all the things that effect the idle for poor connections or possible chafing of wires etc .like the AFM , coolant temp sensor, 02 sensor, TPS ect
Also important to clean and test the idle air valve and the hose connections.
maybe even look at the vacuum connection to the brake booster where there is a non return valve. Maybe braking could cause a sudden loss of vacuum that the ECU cannot compensate for.
You must be chuffed to bits to actually drive it now after all this time and frustration
on refection I think I would start by running the car on idle and then carefully pulling and pushing the wiring loom and various connections to TPS AFM coolant temp sensor, vacuum pipes etc and see if you get any reaction
04-05-2019, 06:55 PM
#266
Oh Man!
I think you should stick to the "better" ECU and for now, at least, assume that it is working as it should. You've had experienced eyes on its circuit board that I assume would have caught and repaired any cracked solder joints.
Does it stall only while idling or when throttle is open as well?
I think you should stick to the "better" ECU and for now, at least, assume that it is working as it should. You've had experienced eyes on its circuit board that I assume would have caught and repaired any cracked solder joints.
Does it stall only while idling or when throttle is open as well?
I don’t trust that though because the other day it had a moment where it almost stalled then returned to normal instantly without any input so I don’t know.
and peanut you’re absolutely correct I’m losing my mind. I drive it for 30 miles without issue no worries. Sometimes multiple times a day and the one day I go far from home this happens.
04-05-2019, 07:10 PM
#267
Burning Brakes
from this description I'm thinking the FPR .
If you are suddenly losing all your fuel pressure due to a leaky fuel pressure relief valve that could explain sudden shutdowns .
The other component that can cause pressure loss is the non return valve .
I would invest in a proper fuel pressure guage and attach it to the bleed nut on the fuel rail with a bit of hose , run the engine and see what is happening to your fuel pressure .
Even if your engine shuts down ....the fuel pressure should stay up for at least 20 minutes .
If you are suddenly losing all your fuel pressure due to a leaky fuel pressure relief valve that could explain sudden shutdowns .
The other component that can cause pressure loss is the non return valve .
I would invest in a proper fuel pressure guage and attach it to the bleed nut on the fuel rail with a bit of hose , run the engine and see what is happening to your fuel pressure .
Even if your engine shuts down ....the fuel pressure should stay up for at least 20 minutes .
04-05-2019, 07:16 PM
#268
Drifting
I'm afraid I have zero experience with early 944s and I understand that the FI is different, including the Idle Air Valve (it's even called something different I think). Peanut's suggests are solid for systematic troubleshooting and all you can really do now is keep hunting until you find the issue, learning as much about early 944 Motronic as possible.
Good luck and keep at it. Clearly, the engine is capable of running well and once you fix this latest issue, you'll love it again
Good luck and keep at it. Clearly, the engine is capable of running well and once you fix this latest issue, you'll love it again
04-05-2019, 07:21 PM
#269
from this description I'm thinking the FPR .
If you are suddenly losing all your fuel pressure due to a leaky fuel pressure relief valve that could explain sudden shutdowns .
The other component that can cause pressure loss is the non return valve .
I would invest in a proper fuel pressure guage and attach it to the bleed nut on the fuel rail with a bit of hose , run the engine and see what is happening to your fuel pressure .
Even if your engine shuts down ....the fuel pressure should stay up for at least 20 minutes .
If you are suddenly losing all your fuel pressure due to a leaky fuel pressure relief valve that could explain sudden shutdowns .
The other component that can cause pressure loss is the non return valve .
I would invest in a proper fuel pressure guage and attach it to the bleed nut on the fuel rail with a bit of hose , run the engine and see what is happening to your fuel pressure .
Even if your engine shuts down ....the fuel pressure should stay up for at least 20 minutes .
Last edited by Jacob AbuKhader; 04-05-2019 at 07:36 PM.
04-05-2019, 07:34 PM
#270
The next time it doesn’t start I’ll have to retrace my steps entirely. I know it’s getting fuel. I’ll have to ground each plug and make sure it’s getting spark. The ignition coil is brand new and I had Tach bounce when it didn’t start but I’ve learned to assume nothing.