From: James at Pelican Parts [james@pelicanparts.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 1999 3:06 PM To: Papasavvas, Nektarios (Turbo) Subject: Re: 944T Oil Cooler Housing Hi Nektarios, Wayne is partially correct in regards to your starting problem. The switch is problematic, and if your car has over 100k miles it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the switch as preventive maintenance. But there are also other things that could cause the starting problem you described. Porsche starters have a reputation for being problematic, but most those problems are with the air cooled cars. If your starter was abused, the solenoid may have been damaged; on most P-cars that means total starter replacement. Your sticking starter indicates this may very well be the problem. Don't overlook the wiring. MOST starter problems are actually the fault of the wires. Battery cables (HT-high tension) are always suspect, as well as the LT(low tension) leads. Poor grounding is the cause most electrical problems. For starters: make sure all connections are clean and secure (that's half the battle). BTW: the way the starter grounds to the engine is part of the HT system, and the cause of many starter problems. The battery may also be the problem. I had an Audi once that would start some days, and other not. Turned out the battery was flaking internally; when I would drive it the flakes would move around and short the battery intermittently. Here is something you could try (be sure the car is out of gear and the brakes are set): attach 12-14ga wire (via alligator clip) to the LT lead on the starter; then attach the other side of the wire the the positive battery post. If the starter turns over as normal, the problem is in the LT side of the system or the switch. If not, the HT leads or the starter is the problem. If the starter still sticks, it will defiantly need replacement. I can get more specific if need be. As far as the oil cooler housing is concerned, I'm told you don't have to remove the engine, but you may (I'm not sure) have to remove the PS pump and access it it from the bottom. In any event I'm sure its a time consuming and dirty job. Good Luck james Wayne at Pelican Parts wrote: > Hi there. I think that your starting problem is caused by a bad ignition > switch. These fail all the time, and I had the same exact problem on my > 914, where the starter would keep running, even after I had pulled the key > out of the ignition! > > As for the oil cooler housing, this one is beyond me. I will forward you to > James in Tech Support, who should be able to help you out. > > Thanks, > > Wayne > > "Papasavvas, Nektarios (Turbo)" wrote: > > > Hello, > > I have 2 questions and hopefully you can help me out: > > > > 1) I will be resealing the oil cooler housing on my '86 944 Turbo. It > > seems to be difficult though due to its location. Do you think I will be > > able to remove and reinstall, without moving the engine? What should I > > remove to get there easier? > > > > 2)I think I may have starter problems. Sometimes (almost always when > > the engine is hot) it takes for me few times to turn the key to start > > the engine. Note that when I turn it all the way, it does nothing, and > > after 4 or 5 times it will start. Sometimes after it starts it seems > > that the starter/solenoid remains stuck, and while the engine is running > > it is still cranking. I have a problem diagnosing it because it is > > happening on a random basis. Do you have any suggestions? > > > > Thanks for the help, > > Nektarios