David.N

Hey guys I have a couple things I am hoping you could help me with. I was driving down the road and suddenly my car just shut off. (not violent or anything)

I have tried so far New DME and other relays from my other car.
Tested spark : theres none. (I put a spark plug in the wires and grounded to strut, this should work right?)
I can smell a bit of fuel so I assume im getting fuel.( I originally thought it was a fuel pump)

What could fail mid driving like that? My tach bounces so that should mean my sensors are fine right? (and i didnt think they would fail mid driving)

The distributor etc looks fine but when i replaced it on my 944S when it also looked fine, it fixed it and it started. Could a ignition system fail mid driving?

Is there something that would cause no spark, even if ignition is fine? like some kind of computer thing? ( apart from the whole DME dieing)

Thanks for the help

carlege

Rotor inside the cap isnt turning.

odb812

Good call. You might want to check for spark with a noid light on the spark plug wire. They're only a couple bucks if you don't already have one and can be very handy.

carlege

Hows that timingbelt?

black944 turbo

Coils can also fail suddenly. I recently reserected an'87 Volvo 740 Turbo, it ran fine and then all of a sudden stopped running. I replaced the coil after many hours of trouble shooting and it runs fine once again.

Clown

Yes check the Ignition Rotor. There is a screw that holds the Rotor to the cam/timing belt sproket mine came loose and the rotor could be easily pulled off or twisted. I was driving down the street one night, car backfired and then the car engine just cut out.

David.N

Thanks for all the help! So I Pulled off the cap and the rotor spun when I cranked the motor. So would the next step for me to buy a new cap/rotor?

audiojoe1

You may have to be more specific. The rotor is supposed to turn with the motor. It shouldn't turn freely. There should be a screw holding it in place. Probably still not a bad idea to replace it though.

onspeed

+1

David.N

What do you guys mean by the whole timing belt thing? It didnt turn freely it spun with the motor.. Its only 120$ for the ignition tune up kit so i might do that and see what happens.

minho78

Before you go replacing parts, make sure you have 12V at the coil.

audiojoe1

On these cars if the timing belts break the engine turns into a big paper weight. Its always a good idea to change the timing belt. If its jumped a tooth it could also be causing running troubles. And the ignition tune up kit is probably a good idea.

David.N

Ok I will check the timing belt.

How would I got about testing if theres 12V? would just swapping it in from my 944S work to test if its working or not?

You can probably tell im still fairly new to these cars, Ive had my 944S for about two years and it didnt need much cause its very clean, but I just bought this turbo as a project/track build for $2000!

Thanks again

black944 turbo

As others have said grab the rotar and see if it spins. If it does there is your problem. Don't tear the timing cover off until you eliminate all the other possible problems.

9xauto

Sorry gentleman I had to but in.
You were talking about 944 ignition rotor with a screw. I found this being sold for 944 by the internet’s biggest part source. It always comes up first every time you Google “Porsche Parts”
Listing describes 944 ignition rotor. You have to read this. It also refers to the Porsche’s mysterious recommendation of GLUING your rotor to 944???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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“04155
Bosch OEM
Distributor Rotor; Without Adapter Sleeve
Please note, per Porsche & Bosch this rotor is glued onto the distributor shaft. Please check with Porsche for recommended LocTite 640 adhesive. 1 per car.
SALE $46.63”
I’m not making this up
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