73 E won't start

[cmcfaul]

I suspect the starter is bad. I "upgraded" to a mini starter three months ago and had been very pleased with the performance. Out of the blue I turn the key and nothing. Fuel pump and DCI are buzzing away. The lights turn off when the starter is supposed to be turning but nothing happening with the starter. Before I return the starter, is there a fuse or relay I should check?

Thanks,

Chris

73 911 E

PS engine fires right up with a push start

[Edwin Ek]

Could be the ignition switch.

[edmayo]

Did you look to see if all the wires are still on the starter, particularly the yellow wire with the spade connector. If it is on see if it gets 12 v. when ignition is in start position. If you have voltage starter is bad, if no voltage you have car problem. Try unplugging and then replugging the two 14 pin connectors back by the relay board. Sometimes they just need some love and attention, seen it happen many times.

[cmcfaul]

All wires are connnected. I don't think it is the ignition switch as the head lights turn off as they are supposed to when the key is turned. I will crawl under there and see if it is getting power. So I assume there is no starter fuse or relay.

Chris

[edmayo]

You assume correctly Chris By the way there is also the bulkhead plug just a few inches from the ignition switch (follow the harness to the plug) you can also unplug and then replug that connection for the same reason I mentioned about the rear 14 pin plugs.

[cmcfaul]

good news and bad.

shorted the wires at the starter motor and it worked so the starter is OK. But now I am stumped. I did what any self respecting home mechanic would do. Jiggled the wires / key, un-plugged and re plugged the plug behind the ignition....no luck.

How does the ignition come out. I assume it must be difficult as a theft deterent. I looked behind it and there is one screw that I can see on the bottom. I assume there is another on the top? I also unscrewed the black ring on the front.

What makes me think I am barking up the wrong tree with the ignition switch is that when the lights are on and the key turned the lights go off as they are supposed to.

Don't know if this is in any way related but I have the relay kit that draws power for the headlights through a relay rather than through the switches inside the car.

Anyone know what wires I can short behind the ignition switch. Thinking key on and the equilivent to a push button to engage the starter for testing (would really just be crossing two wires).

open to all suggestions.

Many Thanks

Chris
73 911 E

[larwik]

Is the engine still hot after you just drove the car?... does it start when it cools down?...i.e "heat soak" situation?...Could it be bad ground connection after you replaced the starter?...all ground connections including the bottom (under the car) ground strap good?...

[cmcfaul]

If I cross the yellow terminal and red terminal on the starter motor it turns right over, So can't be a ground issue. No heat soak issue either, that was one of the reasons i went with the mini starter.

[cmcfaul]

The wires on the back of the ignition switch are as follows. With the key in the run position what wires need to be connected to engage the starter?


................red
....... yellow....red
..... red.............red
...yellow..grey...red

[orange911]

Any chance that there is a "seat Belt" lock-out, meaning that the seat belt has to be connected to start. I know this was a case on a 74 260Z I had. All of my seat belt warning instruments have been disconnected on my car, so I don't know if Porsche implemented the same safety "feature".

Olin