924Board.org

[ronined]

Hello Everyone,

I think I've got a bad starter, but I am not sure for two reasons. First, I don't know what a bad starter sounds like (never had one go bad before). However, I managed to record the starter as it starts the car. You can go here to hear it. As you can tell it turns slowly and makes a strange noise, like someone in nylon workout pants walking slowly.

The other reason I am unsure is that the battery that the DPO put in my car is the wrong one (I have owned the car for almost 5 years). It is a 41-series battery, not a 48-series battery. It has only 540 CA when new versus the 48-series battery's ~700 CA. I had the battery tested on a Snap-On D-TAC Plus tester and it shows that the installed battery is at 85% capacity, which is 454 CA. Is this low enough to make the starter turn slowly and make that strange noise?

TIA

Ed
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'87 924S

[owenexile]

Hi , im no expert in these kinda things but try and put on jumper cables from a other car and c if the starter still makes that noise if it do it maybe a bad battery
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924 1982 N/A
For some reason theres always a earth problem somewhere with this car...

[John_AZ]

I would not jump the car with battey cables.
You could damage the DME computer or many other electrical parts.

Get a new battery. My 924Ss take the Group 41. I use Bosch. High crank amps.

Take out the starter. Go to a local store and have them check it.

You have two choices for a starter. Rebuilt----cleaned and painted.
Or ReManufactured---Parts that normally wear are replaced.

You will probably get a turbo starter in either case. It has been documented that the windings on a turbo may interfere with the reference sensors. You may get harder starting.
Solution? Make sure you have a reference sensor sleeve in the reference sensor bracket. Gap the reference sensors correctly.

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S 61K + 1987 924S 114K DD

[ideola]

[bcblase]

On both of my 924S's, the starter has required replacement very soon after purchase. I think the first died because of a leaky clutch slave cylinder gave it a bath in brake fluid.

You can get a decent rebuilt Bosch starter at Advance or other LAPS for about $130 with a core return. In most cases, it's the solenoid that goes bad - and not worth trying to fix it yourself.

Brad
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1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver

[Smoothie]

I'd be concerned with the strange noises, and be real sure there isn't actually a timing/balance-shaft belt problem before proceeding.
Starters either work, or they don't due to solenoid or wiring problems, except in the less usual case where the motors' windings are burnt/burning (which would be accompanied by a wire burning smell). -In that case (burnt windings) the starter motor itself would be weak and turning the engine slowly.. A bad solenoid causes a no-start at all, or an intermittant problem before failing completely, where it'll sometimes kick in and sometimes won't. +1 on the brake-clutch fluid leaking into the solenoid - that + grease, water, and dirt accumulate inside the solenoid and gunk it up. -But that causes a no-start at all, not a slow turning starter.
I'd check the belts first, then check the battery (clean its' posts, and other grounds, including at the alternator), and recharge the battery.
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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

[ronined]

It turned out to be a bad starter. It was pulling way to much juice on start up. Furthermore, the starter began to smoke while being bench tested at NAPA. Also, the front bearing was shot, there was a significant amount of play in the shaft.
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'87 924S