Porsche 911.....anyone know anything?

[Steve]

My brother's new toy, a 1986 air-cooled car, doesn't want to start. He has replaced the battery, but still no joy. No clicks, just silence when he turns the key. I suspect the starter relay........anyone know where it is on one of these?

 

[Bruce Bowker]

If I understand it correctly the starter solenoid may also be the relay.
Bruce

"The solenoid is designed to do double duty: it first pulls a lever which causes the starter pinion to slide out on it’s shaft, and then continues on and closes the high current contacts that apply power to the motor."

 

[Steve]

Ah, you da man, thanks Bruce!

I have been doing a little research, and apparently the ignition switch may be at fault also. Worth checking into, the symptoms sound remarkably similar.

 

[Bruce Bowker]

Nothing more fun than tracing down electrical problems. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Bruce

 

[Steve]

Agreed.....especially on exotic European machinery. At least an LBC is straightforward.

 

[JamesWilson]

Ich Vonder. Ist die elektriks von Herr Lükas?

Gibt es viel Rauch? (see babelfish)

 

[beaulieu]

If you can get the car up on a lift ,

you can cross the wires on the starter (key off) and see if it turns over , if it does
then work your way up to the ignition switch (which sometimes breaks the electrical contacts internally )

 

[DrEntropy]

There's relay box under the front lid on the right side inner fender (FACING the car) behind the carpet...I think the starter relay is there. If not, look in the engine compartment on the left (driver's side) for the covered relay array... but I'm fairly sure those are mainly fuel management only. Is this a CIS or an EFI car? Gettin' old is a terrible thing... RAM is a bit slow these days /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Steve]

"RAM is a bit slow these days "

That's the missus' biggest complaint......

It's an EFI car. I have read something that is pointing to the ignition switch so we're going to explore that possibility too. I'll check out the locations that you gave though. Thanks all!

 

[DrEntropy]

The relay legend is on the underside of the cover and a "quick and dirty" way to check it: swap out another of the relays for the starter one. Then you'll KNOW it ain't the relay.

 

[DrEntropy]

WELL, Steve?!?! What happened? Izzat thing chimin' up yet, or just upscale yard art?

Inquiring minds wanna know.

 

[Steve]

It lives! It appears to be the ignition switch, as these are known for getting grungy after years of use, and are affected by extremes of temperature. Well, it was extremely cold when he was trying, and failing, to start the beast, and once the weather took a turn for the mild a few days ago the thing cranked and ran like a Swiss watch.

Spring project will be to remove the ignition switch, clean the contacts, spray with some of that magical electrical stuff, reassemble and keep fingers crossed, which is supposed to work. Except the crossing of the fingers, the jury is still out as to its effectiveness.

I shall have to be the primary technician, as my brother's philosophy of auto repair is to pull out his chequebook, which with a Porsche will rapidly lose its appeal. Who knows, maybe I can make a converted gearhead out of him?