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noisybrother · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Leicestershire, UK

Hi all,

I've been driving the car quite happily for the past couple of weeks and the other day I got in to fire her up and I had half a second of nothing after turning the key before the starter 'woke up' and turned the engine.

Parked her up the other day and now she won't turn over at all. The starter draws power but makes no effort to turn the engine. There are no sounds at all (except for the fuel pump priming).

The battery is new and fully charged too.

Reading up on here it seems that the solenoid is the usual culprit, my initial thought was a bad earth after the latent start.

Should I pull the starter off?

I see the 931 shares a starter with the early dash 944, is it worth a swap for a known good part?

Is there anything I can lube/hit with a hammer whilst the starter is on the car?
_________________
2002 BMW 325ti Sport - Sapphire Black
------------------------------
Ex Porsches:
1982 931 S2 - Hellblau
1990 944 S2 - Zyclam 'Pearl Effect' Red
1989 944 S2 Cab - Tahoe Blue
1984 944 Lux - Guards Red

Tigger937 · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:33 am Post subject:

There's a white, 2-prong connector next to the dizzy, against the firewall that provides power for starting. Make sure it's secure and the connections are clean. If you recently replaced the battery, it's fairly common for this plug to lose connection while wires are getting jerked around.
_________________
1981 931 (Concours)
1982 931 (Daily Driver)

"Think outside the box"

Smoothie · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:37 am Post subject:

I'd be seeing a solenoid cleaning in the near future, but make sure the connections are good + clean, including at the battery posts, before getting in further.
Generally, no-click means the solenoid is gunked-up and a cleaning should suffice. If it clicks, but the starter motor doesn't spin, then it's time for a new solenoid because the switch part of the solenoid is at fault (oxidized).
If just cleaning, also dribble a few drops of a liquid silicone lube, Marvel Oil, WD-40, or whatever, onto the spring-loaded brass pin at the center and press down on it, so it gets into the switch area. -This should help protect the contacts from oxidation + help remove some of what's there already.

I do this once a year now (clean the solenoid), and combine it with a clutch slave rebuild (seal replacement) - since the starter has to be out to work on the clutch slave..
_________________
"..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

noisybrother · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Leicestershire, UK

Thanks Guys, will check your suggestions as soon as I can ;o)
_________________
2002 BMW 325ti Sport - Sapphire Black
------------------------------
Ex Porsches:
1982 931 S2 - Hellblau
1990 944 S2 - Zyclam 'Pearl Effect' Red
1989 944 S2 Cab - Tahoe Blue
1984 944 Lux - Guards Red

noisybrother · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Leicestershire, UK

Thanks for your suggestions chaps; I removed the starter motor, it came off really easily. Undid the solenoid, cleaned and lubed the moving parts and put the motor back in, started her up no problem!

Off for a spin now...
_________________
2002 BMW 325ti Sport - Sapphire Black
------------------------------
Ex Porsches:
1982 931 S2 - Hellblau
1990 944 S2 - Zyclam 'Pearl Effect' Red
1989 944 S2 Cab - Tahoe Blue
1984 944 Lux - Guards Red

Rasta Monsta · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 11733 Location: PacNW

Hey guys,

Red is acting up in the way discussed. Can the solenoid be removed with the starter installed?

tia

rasta
_________________
Toofah King Bad

WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

Tigger937 · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:28 am Post subject:

noisybrother · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 115 Location: Leicestershire, UK

Starter (on a 931) comes off with just two bolts. It was really easy on mine.
_________________
2002 BMW 325ti Sport - Sapphire Black
------------------------------
Ex Porsches:
1982 931 S2 - Hellblau
1990 944 S2 - Zyclam 'Pearl Effect' Red
1989 944 S2 Cab - Tahoe Blue
1984 944 Lux - Guards Red

Rasta Monsta · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 11733 Location: PacNW

Update. . .I wanted to try an in situ cleaning of the solenoid internals, and lo and behold, there was a perfect WD40 straw sized hole right where the unit attaches to the starter. So, I blasted it full, and actuated the solenoid and starter 5-6 times. Hopefully, if all it needs is some degunking (per other Smooth Dawg posts), this will do it. I'll let you all know.
_________________
Toofah King Bad

WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

Smoothie · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:09 pm Post subject:

The solenoid mounting screws can be tough to remove even with the starter out and in a vise,
so for dealing with it "in situ" I'd recommend changing to hex head M5-.80x35mm screws -

_________________
"..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