Car won't start....think it's the starter motor

jtparr · Post by **jtparr** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 10:21 am

Morning

Was due to take the 911 for an MOT this morning but no joy....first turn of the key I got nothing...second turn I got a bit of a groaning noise....put it in 3rd and tried to rock it back and forth...got a bit more turning/groaning noise....but nothing more than one or two turns...kept trying but after 3 or 4 goes I stopped

Gut feeling is the starter motor.....(?)

Car hasn't been used for about 3 months....it has happened before but usually the second turn of the ignition does the trick

So ....what d'yall think....?

Assuming it is the starter motor....where is the best place to buy a new one....and go for standard spec or lightweight hi-torque...?

And is it an engine out job...or can I replace it in-situ...?

Thanks all
Jonathan

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 10:27 am

Earth or battery ?

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 10:32 am

First check all the connections, esp the earths. I'm assuming the battery is sound, worth charging while you do the following.
Pay special attention to the strap from the gearbox to the shell.

Do the same on the motor end, take them off clean etc. Try it!, you might be surprised!
If still dead, then the motor can be taken off by jacking the car up properly, wheel removal, and have all the right swear words ready. Bit of a job to do.

the motor is held on by two sleeve nuts removed using a very long extension and a suitable allen key socket.

As to hi-torque and stock:

Stock ones can be had from usual Euro Car parts or Type911 etc.
Call Chris at Fenn Lane Motorsport about hi-torque starters, they are not all the same....

There was a short discussion here about 6 weeks ago on the subject. Andy lightweight has some good info too.

jtparr · Post by **jtparr** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 10:47 am

Thanks guys....will firstly check the earth leads and put the battery on a top up trickle feed when I get home tonight....would be nice if that's all the problem is....but in the back of my mind I know it's been reluctant to start a couple of times over the last few years....so long as it's doable with the engine in then I don't mind giving it a go

Cheers
Jonathan

jtparr · Post by **jtparr** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 11:59 am

Exchange starter motor unit from Type 911 is £175 plus a £75 surcharge for the old unit...Hella brand....

http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/pt259_269 ... er-Motors/

I also rang Porsche....around £550 for an exchange and £1,300 for brand new...

....utter nonsense.....

If no joy tonight then I will order a Hella in the morning.....

Jp

Nige · Post by **Nige** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 2:27 pm

Don't assume even if the battery shows 12v it's not got the oomph (amps) to crank it over. If after the trickle charge and it still doesn't try jumps leads from a know good battery.

Sam · Post by **Sam** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 3:23 pm

I agree that it's unlikey to be the starter.

Have you got another car you can try to jump it from?

Odd price difference for the starters too. Is the Design 911 one defo for your car? I remember starters for MFI cars being £600 odd a few years ago.

jtparr · Post by **jtparr** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 3:34 pm

Thanks Nige
Will swop over the battery from my daily driver when I get home...

Hi Sam....haven't got a clue...only 1 Starter motor listed on the Type911 website for all 911 models with a 915 gearbox from around '72 am afraid...

Bruce M · Post by **Bruce M** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 5:39 pm

Use a jump lead to fit a temporary earth & bypass the gearbox strap, to test if that's the problem.

jtparr · Post by **jtparr** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 9:30 pm

Thanks for all the help and advice guys...thankfully it was just the battery....I guess everything has a lifespan....i did use some of it's power over the weekend checking the LED Headlamps and checking them against the original halogen ones...but I don't think that was enough to drop it to 9.47 volts which is what the multimeter read when I got back this evening....after a decent charge it was up to 12.75 and on first go the car started instantly

So new battery to be bought tomorrow..and keep it on a trickle charge

I guess the lesson here is USE THE CAR MORE OFTEN..!

Jp

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Mon Feb 13, 2017 11:06 pm

Good result!

Kenyon · Post by **Kenyon** » Sat Feb 18, 2017 1:12 pm

On early 911 batteries, I've seen some cars with 2 batteries up front and others with just 1.

Wondered if the 2 battery set up was original and some people changed to 1 for ease. Is that right? Or was the 2 battery set up an option for cold climates?

Nick Moss · Post by **Nick Moss** » Sat Feb 18, 2017 1:15 pm

All production 911s, 1969-1973 had twin batteries as standard. Partly due to weight distribution

Kenyon · Post by **Kenyon** » Sat Feb 18, 2017 1:53 pm

Makes sense. Cheers Nick!

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