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Intermittent ignition starting issues

Stedders

New member
Joined
5 Oct 2010
Messages
4
Hi,

Hoping there's some ignition experts on here can help! For a little while now, my '89 930 has had intermittent starting issues. It either starts straight away, or will turn over without firing. Eventually got round to doing some investigation the other day and as I suspected there was no spark. Getting a smell of fuel from the exhausts when I'd been turning it over so I was pretty sure it wasn't fuel.

The CDI is making it's usual whining sound, but when I checked there was no voltage across the coil with the ignition on. When it does start, there still seems to be no voltage across the coil until I start turning it over, then it jumps to a massive 0.03V! Anyone any ideas what would cause this? And how is my car running with only 0.03V across the coil? Magic?!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Stedders
 
I am no ignition expert but I also have a 1989 930 which had similar problems. Promax were able to start it by "jiggling " the yellow relay which is located on the left side of the engine compartment. Eventually they replaced it and "touch wood" it has not failed to start since. Unfortunately this relay is not made by Porsche anymore, certainly not in Europe anyway. Promax managed to source one from the States( there seems to be more 930 owners over there and spares are more available)
There is quite a bit of info on the net about the problems that this yellow relay can cause to starting including how to short it out to get the car running.
When it won't start try getting someone to move this relay around whilst you crank it over.
Might not help but worth a try.
Good luck!
 
Hi,

Many thanks for the reply. Strangely it's been behaving recently but if it happens again I'll look at that relay. Might just get a spare from one of my work trips to the states too if they're quite cheap over there.

Kind regards,

Stedders
 

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