924Board.org

dagabba · Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 73 Location: UK

Hi everybody.

I went away for a few days and had to leave my car outside, when I returned it wouldn't start. I think the battery is fine; the starter is turning, the engine just isn't catching. It has about a quarter of a tank of fuel in it.

Well, I called my garage who suggested that it may be condensation: We've had a lot of rain recently. They said to leave it to dry out, then try again. Unfortunately though, it hasn't really stopped raining for long.

-Is it possible for me to dry the necessary bits out by hand(with a hair dryer or something), which bits are they?
-I've been trying to start it for a few days now; could the engine have flooded or doesn't this happen with the fuel injection?
-How do I get the spark plugs out of an 's' engine?
-It's an auto (boo hoo), is it possible to jump it by pushing it along in N then flicking into D?
-It does sometimes smell a little petrolly; could it be a faulty fuel line?

Thanks very much. The car is a 1986 924 S (euro)

Porscheaddiction · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 12:25 am Post subject:

It still may be your battery do you have a multi tester? the battery must be at minium 12volts anything below that and these cars will not start. If you have an assistant you can hook up your mutli tester to read volatage on the battery as your assistant is cranking the car and that way you can see what the voltage is with a drawing current from the batt. Is the starter turning normally or does it seem to labour as your cranking?
no as far as I know you can not start an auto by pushing it like you can a manual car.
_________________
1981 924 NA (Restoring mode)
1984 928S (Enjoying the driving season)

dagabba · Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 73 Location: UK

Well, the meter in the car reads just below 12, so it is a bit low, but as i say, the engine is turning, just not catching. Should I go and get a charger and put a bit more juice in it?

Porscheaddiction · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 12:33 am Post subject:

Dont go by the meter in the car its not accurate you need a proper multi tester. borrow one if you have to. The meter in the car is prone to voltage drop too many things hooked to one circuit. It wouldnt hurt to give it a few hours charge, but it would be in your best interest to aquire a multi-tester it will come in very handy with these cars.
good luck
Chris
_________________
1981 924 NA (Restoring mode)
1984 928S (Enjoying the driving season)

alxch1n15 · Joined: 26 Nov 2004 Posts: 261 Location: Madison, Wisconsin

yeah, i would say check the battery. ive had the same thing happen, only...it was when i left the headlights on for 2 hours while i was eating....so not really the same thing.

however, on any of my other cars, 2 hrs with the headlights on doesnt drain the battery so there is no juice left. my 924's battery usually will stay around 12.7 or 13 volts...i know mine runs a little high.
_________________
'81 924 n/a

dagabba · Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 73 Location: UK

Cheers I'll try that.
I'll let you know what happens.
Gab

Porscheaddiction · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 12:38 am Post subject:

one more thing make sure your leades that go to your battery are clean if not take them appart and clean them up with a wire brush.
Chris.
_________________
1981 924 NA (Restoring mode)
1984 928S (Enjoying the driving season)

dagabba · Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 73 Location: UK

Yay. I am now the owner of a radioshack multi meter. Er, please forgive the ignorance, but is a car battery AC or DC?

Porscheaddiction · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 1:28 am Post subject:

Car battery is DC and make sure you use the Voltage section of the multi-tester.
_________________
1981 924 NA (Restoring mode)
1984 928S (Enjoying the driving season)

dagabba · Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 73 Location: UK

The battery reads 12.30 volts so I'm pretty sure it's not that. However, we've had a bit of sun today so I've left the bonnet open for a few hours and it is now really close to starting; catching a little but not completely. Hopefully this means it was just water. We have about another hours sunlight so I''l try again then.

Fingers crossed.

gab

Tigger937 · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:31 am Post subject:

Not really all that familiar with the 924S, but here are a few things you might try. Since you've had quite a lot of rain, it probably is condensation related.

Check your distributor cap (and plug wires) for cracks/condensation buildup inside. Remove the distributor cap and dry out with a rag. Check your plug wires for evidence of arcing by having someone crank the engine at night when it is dark. Be careful not to touch anything while cranking/running as the ignition system has very high voltage! Maybe a hair dryer to dry things out a bit.

Recently I had a similar problem. Turned out to be of all things, the air intake temperature sensor. The sensor had gone out of spec and was causing hard starting. The sensor on my car controls ignition timing and when the car was cold, the timing was advancing too much. If this is your problem, you can verify by heating the sensor up slightly with a hair dryer and then try starting.

Another common problem area in high humidity is the ignition control module which is usually mounted on the fender wall somewhere. Being a semiconductor part, if the seal on the package begins to leak, humidity can creep inside and cause degraded performance, ie., engine misfires, poor starting, etc. Again, a hair dryer to heat up the part can be used to diagnose. Hope this helps.
_________________
1981 931 (Concours)
1982 931 (Daily Driver)

"Think outside the box"

Paul · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 2:15 am Post subject:

Assuming that you have the 2.5 liter motor, pop in your spare DME relay, most of us keep one in the glove box.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

dagabba · Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 73 Location: UK

Yay, finally got my car pic uploaded.

Cheers for all the help guys, when I left it for long enough in the sun it started fine and hasn't been a problem since.

For the future though, how do I get the leads off the spark plugs? I'm used to older cars, this set up looks more complicated than I expected.

Also, I really need to get the haynes manual, but am presuming that the 944 one will be more useful than the 924 one for my car?

Cheers,

Gab

chris24 · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:14 pm Post subject:

Spot on about the Haynes. The 924S is an early 944 with skinny hips. They are on ebay for about £5.
Chris
_________________
1983 - 924 (185K miles) - not mint
1985 - 924 (148K miles) - mint
1990 - 944S2 cab (52K miles)