FRporscheman

Hi everyone,

Well I've been on Summer break for 2 months now and I finally finished my projects on the two 944s (which are driven daily) so I can now concentrate on the 928 (which is driven occasionally). I've been promising my dad for a long time that I'd fix some things, and now is the time. There's quite a list of stuff, and I can't tackle all this on my own.

electrical issues:
-speedo dies sporadically
-power loss sporadically (sometimes it won't crank, sometimes it dies when on)
-sunroof doesn't work

hood release issue (see pic)
transmission leak and slippage
PS intermittent (already started rack disassembly)
and finally, repaint

I just had my 944 repainted. I really tried not to spare any details. I removed as many things as I could and had the surfaces ready for paint. The thing is, I am very familiar with the 944 but I'm still unfamiliar with the 928. I need some tips on what not to forget, how to take it off or prep it, etc. Some specific questions I had were how to remove the rear quarter windows, how to remove the sunroof seal, how to remove the bumpers. Also, what's the best solution to the broken automatic antenna? I know 944 guys like to buy 968 antennas for their roofs. I was thinking to make it simple I could use the old carphone antenna on the hatch, if possible. Or else just buy a short wobbly antenna from autozone and fashion it into the hole in the fender. Those dumb automatic antenna never last.

I'm looking for all the ground points so I can clean them. I have the instrument cluster out for the odo gear fix, and I found a ground point in that area. Right by the brake pedal under the steering column. It looks clean to me...? And while looking, I think I found one electrical problem. In the last pic, I found a loose connection left of the brake pedal. What's it for? Check out the pics. Thanks for reading!

ULpilot

I would think the first thing would be to clean all the grounds, and check all the fuses (perhaps do a complete fuse block cleaning?, you can find many posts on this, and there's a good writeup... I can't think of the site. If you search under my name you will find a few posts where this was addressed). See what you can fix from there. My speedo (after 4 years sitting) worked, then was intermittent, until after a couple more weeks of driving and now it's almost always fine.
Ground points:
Not sure what if it is this for your year, but for my 86 they are... 1. In front of the battery box area, in the forward section of the spare tire part, 2. below the steering column, 3. above the fuse block (front of the passenger's footwell, below the carpet and boards there) 4/5... there are a couple up front by the bar that moves the headlights up and down- behind that tucked down a bit. I think.
Get a manual, or I even think there is a copy online. If you look up work shop manual you might find the link

jpitman2

On my 83 the white wires under the dash were separated like your pic....connecting them brought Cruise control back on line....YMMV though.
jp 83 Euro S AT 50k

rcoble

-speedo dies sporadically
Quite often it is a coroded multi pin connector in the batt box. I know it's hard to beleve but it worked for me. the signal from the trans goes through there.

-sunroof doesn't work
easy thing first, Open up the sunroof switch (they come apart but be careful) usually full of food and soda)

Bill Ball

You're missing the mounting plate and cover for the hood release handle. 928.511.143.02 (cover); 928.511.172.02 (cup); 900.241.001.02 (screw). Look around and you may find it under the seat or carpet.

FRporscheman

Thanks guys, this'll get me started. I'm off to look for and clean all the ground I can find. Then I'll try splicing in a new connector for the speedo - now that you mention it, I remember seeing it before. And I agree it might be time to replace all the fuses for the heck of it.

Bill - I think I have the stuff for the hood release handle, but I was thinking that the cable is protruding too much. I can't see how it will mount properly with all that extra slack.

Any thoughts on the antenna? That carphone antenna doesn't go through the glass, I think it uses a magnetic pickup or something to transmit through the glass.

jeff jackson

With you being in NoCal and such...get on the phone to Jim Bailey and he can fix you up with the Hood release related issues, the other stuff ...I agree with the clean all ground point thoroughly...and check the maintenance schedule and figure out where you stand in regard to up to date maintenance...the 928 is like any other machine, and requires regular service of particular items, the manual...especially the work shoop manual make this point very clear...catch these things up and report how the car is acting afterwards...good luck...

FRporscheman

I do try to stay on the ball with maintenence of all 6 of our cars (plus dad's 3 company cars) but it can be overwhelming. I have inspected the suspension, motor mounts, brakes, filters, vacuum lines, and ignition. I just changed the cap/rotor and plugs, air/fuel/oil filters, oil, front/rear pads and rear discs, and new tie rod ends are next. The motor mounts look worn out but for now the car is running quite smooth. Ford MM are in the future, and upper ball joints are in the near future. Most of the narrow vacuum lines are as brittle as crackers, but I don't think anything is leaking for now. I'll keep an eye on it though. What really troubles me about this car from a maintenence standpoint is how I have to add a quart of ATF every 3 weeks.

As far as Jim and 928 Int'l... I'd love to have a pro fix everything and do it right (and quick), but for two reasons I enjoy struggling with this car and getting it done myself: 1) I get to learn about 928s so someday I might get one, and 2) with the amount of work this car needs, there's no way my dad can afford any shop bills. Hey, it's a load of fun!

FRporscheman

I disassembled the PS rack yesterday. I found a major failure, perhaps the main failure that caused my PS issues and leaks. One of two snap rings that hold the o-rings and band seal on the middle of the main shaft just disintegrated, and the adjacent washer had become jammed crooked. That washer did not come off easily due to its warped shape. Now I need a new snap ring and washer, and I heard ZF won't deal with anyone other than Porsche. I couldn't find either part in the PET. Is it possible to get these from a dealer, or will I need to custom order / get lucky at the hardware store?





The last picture shows that only one o-ring remained but it was missing a section.

cambria

First pic, two wires go to the dash light rheostat on the left side .
Clean the connectors to the pod. The vert. multi pin connector I think has the connectors for the speedo.
Check the ignition switch, it may be worn and not maintainnig contact.
Button with broken wire is for the auxiliary windsheild washer.
The hood release I think is the same as a 944.
Make sure the AT fluid is up to the marks. Better yet drain the AT and pull the pan and replace the filter and gasket. Be sure and find a hand pump to use to refill the AT.
928's are much harder to work on than 944's.
Good luck,

FRporscheman

Yeah, tell me about it. When I need to work on the 944, my response is "ooh!". When the 928 needs work, I make sure I have a clear schedule for the next few days and reluctantly have at it. But recently I've been enjoying it more!

The hood release looks the same a 944's. I thought the rear wiper switch was in the center console next to the sunroof switch? And I just changed the AT filter and pan gasket about 8k miles ago.

Anyone know where I can get snap rings?

SMTCapeCod

I think Hooked on Cars may sell a PS rebuild kit that would have the rings. Or 928motorsports.. A lot more cost and work than just the rings, I guess...but our motto frequently swings between WYAIT and PITA

FRporscheman

I just got some of those aluminum PS rack bushings today from 928 motorsports - thanks Carl! I hope the effect is as noticable as others have claimed. Either way, they were cheaper than the OEM rubber mounts so it was a no brainer.

I sent Carl an email about my band seal question, as soon as I get the guru's wise response I can wrap that up and hit the grounds.