924Board.org

[steve1]

Hi guys
Hope someone out there with far superior knowledge than little old me, can help!!! key in ignition, turn key,engine turns over as though battery is flat (ie) very slowly, then turns a bit faster and starts, after the cheeks of my arse have squeeked a bit, thinking i`m gonna be pushing it or jump starting it again!! Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
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May the porsche be with you!!

[chris24]

try tightening the connections to your battery. if these are tight then it probably means there is a bit of corrosion somewhere between the battery and starter so check and clean the big wire contacts. hope that helps.
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1983 - 924 (185K miles) - not mint
1985 - 924 (148K miles) - mint
1990 - 944S2 cab (52K miles)

[billson]

I had the same problem. Turned out the wiring between battery and starter/alternator was almost completely corroded. Was a miracle it started at all!!

Not too much hassle to replace it if necessary, as long as you make a note of what wire goes where!
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1983 924 NA
Guards Red
Carrera GT bodykit
Larger VW throttle body

[968rz]

+ clean your grounds.
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Rick
79 924 coupe Petrol Blue 3spd auto (wife's DD)
93 968 coupe Amazon Green 4spd Tip (my DD)

[billson]

an extra earth lead between the engine and the battery can help too
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1983 924 NA
Guards Red
Carrera GT bodykit
Larger VW throttle body

[gohim]

Battery acid leaks out of battery, then spills from the battery tray water spout directly onto the wiring harness that connects the battery to the starter and the alternator.

This allows the acid to run down the inside of the insulating/protective sheath, and destroy the wiring from the inside out. If you check your wiring from the alternator to the starter, you will probably find it to be brittle, and crumbly. This signals that the charging harness needs to be replaced. The charging/starting harness used to be fairly cheap. The last one that I bought cost me about $20. Try your local Porsche Dealer for a new harness first. ANY USED HARNESS THAT YOU BUY, REGARDLESS OF THE SOURCE, WILL PROBABLY BE IN THE SAME CONDITION AS THE ONE YOU ALREADY HAVE.

[steve1]

Cheers for the ongoing advice, noticed there are 3 wires piggy backed onto the live at the battery which look a bit threadbare dont reckon it would do any harm to re-crimp them?
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May the porsche be with you!!

[Mike924]

I don't necessarily disagree with anyhting that's been said here, but I've had a different experience.

My car had exactly the symptoms you describe (slow cranking then recovering just in time to start the engine) and a new battery solved the problem. The explanation given to me was that a cell starts to die, causing a reduced output and the slow cranking; with the extar work the remaining cells have to do, the battery starts to warm up, which (partially) brings the dying cell back to life, providing the extra juice to start the engine. Simple!
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1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

[morghen]

do the above mentioned checks and check your timing if its too high the starter motor will have trouble spinning the engine. refresh the starter motor if it needs new bushings and coil.
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Supercharger and EFI kits
https://www.the924.com

[Smoothie]

+1 to all of the above. + I'd start by checking the battery (it's the quickest-easiest and the symptoms make it a more likely suspect), especially if its' age isn't known.
A regular car starting battery has thin plates (a feature that enables it to deliver a quick burst of high amps for starting), but thin plates leave it vulnerable to internal damage if left in a discharged condition. They're meant to be discharged by a max of only about 10%, then recharged back to 100% right away by the alternator as the engine runs. They're also subject to self discharging when left unused (as are all batteries), so left unused without recharging they'll discharge, then the internal damage begins.. -So they need to be kept on a trickle charger or to be fully recharged within about every 3 weeks. If the car is left undriven for more than 2 weeks at a time, the battery needs recharging on a scheduled basis or to be left on a trickle charger or automatic charger.
-But that's a pain, plus unlikely to be done due to forgetfullness.
What I've been doing is using deep cycle batteries. I have an Exide Orbital deep cycle-starting battery in the Porsche and a marine deep cycle from Autozone in the Jeep that I just put back on the road. (A "deep cycle" battery these days is actually more likely a hybrid deep cycle-starting battery. The one I got from Autozone has approx. the same CCA rating as one of their mid-level starting batteries, plus it has thicker plates and the ability to be discharged further without being damaged.) In extreme cold climates you may have to stay with a straight starting battery - otherwise a hybrid deep cycle-starting can be a better choice.
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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