Dash lights come on but won’t start

[Needhelp1]

Hi,

My 1989 911 3.2 sc won’t start. I thought it was the immobiliser as the 2 red dash lights come on and the stereo, but nothing. It doesn’t turn over at all, no noise.
I have disconnected the battery and reconnected in order to reset, but still nothing.

a friend it could be the starter motor ?
Anybody had the same issue ??
Thanks

 

[JohnCRS]

First thought is the battery needs charging. It won't try to start it if the battery is too low. Try a charger or jump leads.

 

[david.clark]

Hi,

My 1989 911 3.2 sc won’t start. I thought it was the immobiliser as the 2 red dash lights come on and the stereo, but nothing. It doesn’t turn over at all, no noise.
I have disconnected the battery and reconnected in order to reset, but still nothing.

a friend it could be the starter motor ?
Anybody had the same issue ??
Thanks

If your 1989 Porsche 911 3.2 SC won't start and makes no noise when turning the key, it could be a really bad starter motor. Consider inspecting and replacing it if necessary.

 

[Needhelp1]

First thought is the battery needs charging. It won't try to start it if the battery is too low. Try a charger or jump leads.

Hi, thanks for coming back to me. The battery is on a drip charger and I used a jump charger just in case. But, no different.

 

[Needhelp1]

If your 1989 Porsche 911 3.2 SC won't start and makes no noise when turning the key, it could be a really bad starter motor. Consider inspecting and replacing it if necessary.

Hi, that’s the strange thing, no noise at all. Just dead apart from the dash lights etc coming on as normal.

 

[Greenman986S]

Faulty ignition switch?

 

[Stirls]

As a well established club, I would have expected more in technical help arena for all models. Various cars have ‘known’ quirks and advice could be shown. The value of being a club member should allow member access only.
Of course an extensive basic check can be found anywhere, but particular fuses/location numbers etc. would be helpful. Battery’s seem to be number one problem on our cars if not used or even when trickled. Even batts that read 12v can fail upon high Ampage being taken. Looking at ignition lights, do they dim upon turning key? Any sign of mice? Have you access to starter motor? Put in gear and rock so starter has fresh place to engage.
However, my money is on immobiliser, battery, Starter motor or ignition switch as per green man.

 

[david.clark]

It seems that a plausible explanation for the lack of noise could be a complete failure of the starter motor, as previously suggested. However, considering that there is no noise, it may also be worth checking the electrical connections and fuses to the starter motor, to ensure that there is no problem with the power supply to the starter. . If everything looks fine there, a deeper investigation into the ignition system may be needed to pinpoint the exact cause.

 

[supersport]

The start normally clicks a little when it won't do it's thing.

DME relay? That's often a classic or maybe you're into fly wheel position sensor and the other one, who's name escapes me.

It might also still be the immobiliser, mine definitely doesn't do anything when it's not disabled, but everything else works.

 

[supersport]

These are dead easy to bump start, having done it out of the garage backwards and across a couple of show fields, can easily done with two people - but obviously you want to make sure that you can get it back to parked if that fails.

 

[T911UK]

Do the headlights work? Do the windows work?

 

[911hillclimber]

I have a 3.2 in my 1973T, so not the correct car, but having never had this problem in the last 30 years, maybe it is a rare problem.

Easy to do, so pull the DME relay, and re-insert a few times. The 'in n out' cleans the contacts.
Try to start. the car. If all the same get a new relay (always good to have a spare) and try it. 2 days delivery from Design911.

Fuses are all detailed in the Haynes manual, so get one and follow it through. Sometimes just moving/ rotating the fuses in their holders will clean the contacts and clear a problem.
A silent starter i feel is due to no electrics getting to it and that will take you to the ignition switch.

These car are getting very old now and need some TLC to keep them able.
Good luck, let us know how it works out so we can all learn.

 

[Needhelp1]

Faulty ignition switch?

Car sorted. It was the battery. Don’t understand why it didn’t jump start When I previously tried, but worked this time. Anyway, I’m I plonker and never been so happy to be a plonker. Thanks for your messages

 

[geedee]

I once bought a new battery, when the car failed to start, I checked the voltage across the battery clamp connectors connectors with a voltmeter and it was well under when a start was attempted... On removing the connectors to fit the new batteery, I noted a discolouration on the face of the negative connector, cleaned that up, and the engine fired up fine on the old battery... Yup even us who should know better can be plonkers at times...

 

[T911UK]

Hence my question about lights and windows, windows are especially good indicators of battery status as you can see the speed relative to voltage