My early turbo sell it or do the unthinkable ?

[ukmastiff]

Some of you may have read about the 'engine wont turn off fault ' on my Zermatt silver 85 944 turbo.

I had it booked in for an MOT tomorrow ( runs out on 11th) and then Wednesday I was to take it to a friends to fit a replacement alternator in an attempt to rectify the no stopping problem.

The car has done about 200 miles since the last MOT so I didn't anticipate any great problems but today on doing my pre MOT checks I found the rear fog and the reversing lights have stopped working. That might sound very minor to you and it is but since I already have a non working sunroof , clock , electric seat and a door lock that wont turn with the key etc I'm just sick to death with it TBH and its not like I ever drive it. Funnily enough it is solid and drives like the wind but the electrics are another thing !

I am seriously considering do I sell it to someone who really will use it for a proper project if such people do exist or do I do the rude thing and break the car. The thing is , apart from the early off set Turbo Teles I'm not sure there is too much on an old 200,000 miler that is worth a lot of money PLUS breaking a rare 85 turbo genuinely is not a great thing to do.

Answers on a post card please !

Mas

 

[nicksonmsport]

how much u after for the car as is bearing in mind the issues?

 

[ukmastiff]

Nick I'd rather out it to someone who does up cars than worry too much re the money, especially if it cxould be kept going.

Around 2,000 I think but as I always say its only worth what someone wants to pay for it isn't it.

If I get offered absolutely stupid figures i'll put it on Flea Bay and I really don't want anything to do with Flea Bay.

The car does have redeeming features like not being a rot box. The sills are rock solid without a single bubble and that's not common. Oh and as you know it has a spare alternator lol

Regards

Mas

 

[simkin911]

Put it on Pistonheads. Know what your minimal figure is and work up from that. Good luck. If the body is good you could well be surprised.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Reading that, it's only minor faults that could be fixed by anyone who knows the 944 properly in a couple of hours. Even at specialist rates it's a couple of hundred, throw in a service and it's good to go for a year.

I suppose the trouble is that you're not using it, so unless it's sorned and stored it's going to sit and deteriorate; you say it's electrical problems, and that's classic with cars like mine that sit outside and aren't used for a few weeks, let alone one MOT to the next!

I've always read it as a decent car, particularly with the good bodywork. Personally I'd get it fixed, MOT'd and serviced. It should be nearer a £5K car by then, and it can't be needing thousands spending?

Think about the advice we'd give here! If someone was looking at a turbo for sale with numerous little niggles, 200K miles, no MOT etc., we'd be saying it could be a money-pit at £2K. If it was a rot-free turbo with a fresh ticket, newly-serviced, a mere 200K miles and only the clock not working, we'd say bite the seller's hand off for £5K....[8|]

 

[andy watson]

Hi Mas,

Sorry to hear the reunited love affair isn't working out, if you wanted to sell the Tele's let me know as I would be interested, fully understand if you didn't want to split from car but I have a choice of wheels you could have as well as money, so you wouldn't be left without any.

If you want drop me a PM, but no hurry you may want to change your mind as the niggles are not that that bad and you could be back in her before the sun arrives!!

 

[944 man]

I may be jumping the gun here, but they wont really fit your car Andy.

OP, hair tearing frustration for you might be half an hours work for a decent auto electrician. Id consider investing an hour or twos labour in making it all right, saving the car and saving yourself many times what youll have to spend in the process.

 

[ukmastiff]

Totally understand your point but since i let a local auto spark near the car to remove the alarm the car has never been the same .
Ill maybe go to my friend Wednesday who was going to help me fit the alternator.
but the car was always going to be sold after the MOT anyway as my interest in her has completely gone.
Things have changed in my life recently and I just dont need any stress in truth .

Cheers

Mas

 

[andy watson]

Cheers Simon, yes GlennS let me know as well.....pesky 16" Tele's where are you??

 

[T3rra]

Trying cleaning the spade joint on the light bulb housing for fog.

Parting the car out is just as much work if not more then fixing the faults. If the shell good and your honist u may sell on to a member.

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: andy watson

Cheers Simon, yes GlennS let me know as well.....pesky 16" Tele's where are you??

Here, they were both single model year items. The 1987 model 944 Celebration has 16" dials and I think that European 1988 951s had them too, but every 1988 Turbo that I have seen in England has had the forged Fuchs Gullideckels optioned (I suspect because they were made a compulsary option by PCGB).

My own car carries the option number for these, although theyre long-gone and Id prefer the ATS dials, given the choice.

 

[ukmastiff]

Can anyone remember which are the fogs I.E top corner right centre or whatever and are there actually two rear fogs.
Seems strange both are not working if there are two , plus the reverse lights of course.

Regards Mas

 

[T3rra]

Front fogs should turn on without the rear. The rear will only turn on with the front

The rear fogs are low and high red lense nearest the number plate, should be one bulb in the middle.

 

[ukmastiff]

The fronts are fine typical since they arent a requirement. I'LL try and have a better go at the rears.

Thanks

 

[Frenchy]

As said if need be get a decent auto spark to sort the bits and then get a to sell at a more favourable price, my cars develop faults when left for too long, sulking for not being used methinks !

 

[944 man]

My immobiliser now petulantly only operates every second or third time and the indicators lost all detent/feel during the cold months. This has now returned and the immobiliser has improved from the 10+ attempts which were required initially. The window switches dont appear to be ending their sulk, yet... []

 

[timmyturtle]

If the bodywork is that good surely someone here will buy it. Im quite tempted myself tbh

 

[MarkK]

Fix her up and get more money for not too much outlay,or better still fall back in love after fixing the gremlins!

 

[944Turbo]

Is the lack of use just connected to the niggles - if they were sorted bet you would have driven it more and certainly enjoyed it more.

I had a dodgy reversing light switch - pretty sure its on the side of the gearbox, on my first 944 one of the connectors had come off

worth repeating front fogs have to be on for rears to work - in case you missed it! I have had some bulbs recently ( in my wifes polo) that looked ok but had failed, they were halfords own and not very old.

Tempted to come and have a look! except I really don't need 3 944's

 

[ChasR]

ORIGINAL: 944Turbo

Is the lack of use just connected to the niggles - if they were sorted bet you would have driven it more and certainly enjoyed it more.

I had a dodgy reversing light switch - pretty sure its on the side of the gearbox, on my first 944 one of the connectors had come off

worth repeating front fogs have to be on for rears to work - in case you missed it! I have had some bulbs recently ( in my wifes polo) that looked ok but had failed, they were halfords own and not very old.

Tempted to come and have a look! except I really don't need 3 944's

I'd go with this advice really.

Indeed, the rear fog switch can be fun. I would be tempted to have a specialist look at the car in an attempt to sort out what sounds like a wiring issue. Are there any wiring diagrams available for the 944?

If you do decide to sell, let me know [/vulture].