951 Won't Start - Electrical Experts, Please

SkippyCrunchySmooth · 10-25-2009, 05:31 PM

Early this past summer, I did a bunch of interior work on my '86 951. I had the dash out for refinishing, removed the non-functioning aftermarket alarm the PO installed, new steering wheel, etc. I got everything back together in early June, I drove the car a few times, I was happy.

Then, I drove to a friend's house one evening with no issues, got in the car to go home a few hours later, and nothing. No lights on the dash, no engine turning over, nothing. It was like someone removed the battery. The only sign of life was a clicking noise coming from under the dash after I'd tried turning the key a few times.

I did a lot of traveling/moving over the summer, so I stashed the car in a friend's carport until I picked it up recently. Now I'm trying to solve this problem. It's possible that I screwed up some wiring when I removed the alarm, but all I did was desolder the alarm wires and then wrap everything back up. Maybe a wire rubbed on something and then shorted? I'm trying to avoid taking the dash apart again, but if I have to, where should I start looking?

I also gave the ignition relays and DME relays a visual inspection. When I removed the DME relay, it sounded like the guts were rattling around in the case; is that normal?

I'm just really confused as to why the car would run fine for a few days and then all of sudden go completely dead. Anyone been in this situation before? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Wipeout · 10-25-2009, 08:39 PM

Did the car have a factory alarm? The alarm module (under the DME computer in passenger footwell) can make that clicking sound and can cause a no-start condition. If it's there, bypass it (Clark's Garage has the steps) or replace it with a known good module of the same part number.

I had issues with the alarm module in my '89 S2 that manifested them in a similar way. Car ran great, then the alarm randomly started going off while the car was on (at the smog test place, even).

SkippyCrunchySmooth · 10-26-2009, 02:13 PM

Darren,

Thanks for that tip. It does have a factory alarm, so I'll try the bypass procedure tonight.

Anyone else have ideas? Is it normal to hear something moving around in the DME relay when I shake it?

Wipeout · 10-26-2009, 02:16 PM

I don't think the DME is supposed to sound like a set of maracas. Do you have a spare DME relay (I think quite a few folks here keep a spare in the glovebox!)?

SkippyCrunchySmooth · 10-26-2009, 03:41 PM

I do keep meaning to pick up a spare. I suppose now's as good a time as any.

10-25-2009, 05:31 PM	#1
SkippyCrunchySmooth User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Chicago/Boston Posts: 63	951 Won't Start - Electrical Experts, Please Early this past summer, I did a bunch of interior work on my '86 951. I had the dash out for refinishing, removed the non-functioning aftermarket alarm the PO installed, new steering wheel, etc. I got everything back together in early June, I drove the car a few times, I was happy. Then, I drove to a friend's house one evening with no issues, got in the car to go home a few hours later, and nothing. No lights on the dash, no engine turning over, nothing. It was like someone removed the battery. The only sign of life was a clicking noise coming from under the dash after I'd tried turning the key a few times. I did a lot of traveling/moving over the summer, so I stashed the car in a friend's carport until I picked it up recently. Now I'm trying to solve this problem. It's possible that I screwed up some wiring when I removed the alarm, but all I did was desolder the alarm wires and then wrap everything back up. Maybe a wire rubbed on something and then shorted? I'm trying to avoid taking the dash apart again, but if I have to, where should I start looking? I also gave the ignition relays and DME relays a visual inspection. When I removed the DME relay, it sounded like the guts were rattling around in the case; is that normal? I'm just really confused as to why the car would run fine for a few days and then all of sudden go completely dead. Anyone been in this situation before? Thanks in advance for any advice.

10-25-2009, 08:39 PM	#2
Wipeout Not Special Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,535	Did the car have a factory alarm? The alarm module (under the DME computer in passenger footwell) can make that clicking sound and can cause a no-start condition. If it's there, bypass it (Clark's Garage has the steps) or replace it with a known good module of the same part number. I had issues with the alarm module in my '89 S2 that manifested them in a similar way. Car ran great, then the alarm randomly started going off while the car was on (at the smog test place, even). __________________ Darren Wipeout 1989 944 S2 Baltic Blue/Linen Wrecked and missed: 1985/1 944 The Great Rennlist H4 Lighting Roundup

10-26-2009, 02:16 PM	#4
Wipeout Not Special Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,535	I don't think the DME is supposed to sound like a set of maracas. Do you have a spare DME relay (I think quite a few folks here keep a spare in the glovebox!)? __________________ Darren Wipeout 1989 944 S2 Baltic Blue/Linen Wrecked and missed: 1985/1 944 The Great Rennlist H4 Lighting Roundup

10-26-2009, 02:13 PM	#3
SkippyCrunchySmooth User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Chicago/Boston Posts: 63	Darren, Thanks for that tip. It does have a factory alarm, so I'll try the bypass procedure tonight. Anyone else have ideas? Is it normal to hear something moving around in the DME relay when I shake it?

10-26-2009, 03:41 PM	#5
SkippyCrunchySmooth User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Chicago/Boston Posts: 63	I do keep meaning to pick up a spare. I suppose now's as good a time as any.