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das push · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 53 Location: cincy, oh, usa

I possibly have a bad ignition switch. Is there an easy point in the vehicle to test this without removing the switch?

What happened: I was about 50 miles from home and the alternator failed. So I went into the local Wal Mart picked up a battery $45 way cheaper than 50 mile tow bill. Made home bought and installed new alt.(by the way used the skateboard bushing trick, mounting bushings were shot, worked great!). started the car backed out of the gararge to put my grates back over the grease pit, tried to restart the car no electric power what so ever. I got out multi-meter and started checking continuity and voltages. I've got continuity through the alt. wire harness, but only .03 volts with ignition switch in on position. Battery is charged showing 12.9 volts.

does this sound like bad ignition switch, where else should I be looking?

Thanks for any help,
Mike
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1982 924 NA 85K owned since 1992
82 nicknamed das push"the push"by my kids.
lots of electrical problems 1st yr of owner ship!

924LUX · Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 52 Location: south wales

To be sure your switch is not faulty try bridging the conections at the switch, if still nothing then its somet eles at fault, if the dash lights come up then it is your switch at fault my car had a similar prob so i fitted a nice honda s2000 push to start sys where the cig lighter is as well as a flick switch for the ignition works nice now and looks good to lol

the ignition barrel does go on these cars its a common fault so pull the connector off and insert a wire between the two red thick wires (i think!) have a play lol

i did !
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1985 Porsche 924LUX 2 ltr N/A

every cloud has a silver lining except the mushroom shaped ones in which case thats a bad thing !!!

das push · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 53 Location: cincy, oh, usa

Thanks for the info. Was hoping I didn't have to pull the switch. Looking for an easy way out.
_________________
1982 924 NA 85K owned since 1992
82 nicknamed das push"the push"by my kids.
lots of electrical problems 1st yr of owner ship!

Paul · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 11:18 pm Post subject:

Check the smaller red wires on your positive battery clamp.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

das push · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 53 Location: cincy, oh, usa

thanks paul will do. Also are there any fuseable links in are electrical systems, I didn't see any indicated in the wiring diagrams(had one go in my S-10 once)?

I have no power to anything!
_________________
1982 924 NA 85K owned since 1992
82 nicknamed das push"the push"by my kids.
lots of electrical problems 1st yr of owner ship!

Smoothie · Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 1:08 am Post subject:

No on the fusible links.
The other ends of those smaller red wires that Paul mentioned attach to "H" terminals on the back of the fuse-relay panel, so there could be a problem with those connections, the wires, or the panel itself. Look at your Haynes manual

pg.291, left side in the area of current track 3.
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

das push · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 53 Location: cincy, oh, usa

thanks smoothie, I had to do a lot of cleanup there when I got the car 15yrs. ago. But that was all to solve intermittent problems. nothing to the extent of no power any where. I'll start there and go to all the grounding points next.

Thanks again everyone,
Mike
_________________
1982 924 NA 85K owned since 1992
82 nicknamed das push"the push"by my kids.
lots of electrical problems 1st yr of owner ship!

dpw928 · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 1860 Location: owasso, ok 74055

Had the same problem with my 931. Initially it had a short delay between turning the key and actually cranking, then later nothing. Changed the ignition switch but no change. Was ready to replace the starter solenoid when I read Smoothies suggestion (in another thread) about checking the T-3(?) connection at the firewall between the head and battery compartment. After cleaning it starts right up. Moral: Check the easy stuff first.

Thanks Smoothie.

Dennis
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81 931 5 sp
78 928 5 sp Silver
78 928 AT Euro Black

das push · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 53 Location: cincy, oh, usa

Wow, I feel stupid. The old saying K.I.S.S.(keep it simple, stupid) applies here. So I figured I would start at the batttery post and clean up the main leads. I checked voltage at the 3 main leads. One was showing 5.5 volts, one was showing 3.2 volts, and one showing 4.5 volts. the battery posts were showing 12.7volts. I took the connections loose they were black with oxidation, but not corroaded. Cleaned them up, and amazingly power and started right up.

Thanks, Smoothie and Paul for the Main lead reminder.
Thanks, Dennis for reminding me to check the easy stuff first.

I went through and cleaned up the grounds since it has been fifteen yrs. and also checked the fuse panel(it still looked good and clean).

Thanks again everyone,
Mike
_________________
1982 924 NA 85K owned since 1992
82 nicknamed das push"the push"by my kids.
lots of electrical problems 1st yr of owner ship!