Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

> I think I just got vapor lock!, or my ignition is failing, again..
silverteener
post May 18 2010, 01:15 PM
Post #1


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 214
Joined: 9-August 05
From: East Moline, IL
Member No.: 4,566
Just went out to start my car to go the store and it won't turn over. The pump turns on but I got nothing. I just got back from lunch a while ago so I know it's a little hot. Will the motor turn over if you have vapor lock, or is it the ignition switch I just replaced earlier this year? it is frustrating to say the least!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
2 Pages V  1 2 >  
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
Replies(1 - 19)
detoxcowboy
post May 18 2010, 01:18 PM
Post #2


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,294
Joined: 30-January 08
Member No.: 8,642
Region Association: Africa
If you have vapor lock the motor will turn over, probably your ignition switch
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Ferg
post May 18 2010, 01:19 PM
Post #3


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,948
Joined: 8-January 03
From: Boulder CO
Member No.: 116
Region Association: None
Sounds like starter/hot start.

CAR IN NEUTRAL!!! take a screwdriver and bridge/spark the poles on the starter wires, and try to start.

Ferg
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
SirAndy
post May 18 2010, 01:28 PM
Post #4


Resident German
*************************

Group: Admin
Posts: 42,205
Joined: 21-January 03
From: Oakland, Kalifornia
Member No.: 179
Region Association: Northern California
QUOTE(silverteener @ May 18 2010, 12:15 PM) *

I think I just got vapor lock!


I don't think so. With vapor lock, the gas in your fuelpump got so hot that it turned into vapors. That is very, very, very rare. The outside weather needs to be near baking and the motor of the car needs to be very hot. With vapor lock, the car will turn over just fine and the fuel pump will be noticeably noisy (trying to pump vapor).

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Andy
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
TheCabinetmaker
post May 18 2010, 01:40 PM
Post #5


I drive my car everyday
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 8,336
Joined: 8-May 03
From: Tulsa, Ok.
Member No.: 666
QUOTE(SirAndy @ May 18 2010, 02:28 PM) *

QUOTE(silverteener @ May 18 2010, 12:15 PM) *

I think I just got vapor lock!


I don't think so. With vapor lock, the gas in your fuelpump got so hot that it turned into vapors. That is very, very, very rare. The outside weather needs to be near baking and the motor of the car needs to be very hot. With vapor lock, the car will turn over just fine and the fuel pump will be noticeably noisy (trying to pump vapor).

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Andy

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Your car did not vapor lock. Could be switch, solenoid, wiring, grounds,etc, but not vapor lock!
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
silverteener
post May 18 2010, 02:15 PM
Post #6


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 214
Joined: 9-August 05
From: East Moline, IL
Member No.: 4,566
thanks for the tips. Just went out to try to start it and it starts right up! hopefully it will later when I get done working!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
SirAndy
post May 18 2010, 02:18 PM
Post #7


Resident German
*************************

Group: Admin
Posts: 42,205
Joined: 21-January 03
From: Oakland, Kalifornia
Member No.: 179
Region Association: Northern California
QUOTE(silverteener @ May 18 2010, 01:15 PM) *

thanks for the tips. Just went out to try to start it and it starts right up! hopefully it will later when I get done working!

Get a new starter. It's about to die ...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) Andy
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
SLITS
post May 18 2010, 02:31 PM
Post #8


"This Utah shit is HARSH!"
**********

Group: Benefactors
Posts: 13,602
Joined: 22-February 04
From: SoCal Mountains ...
Member No.: 1,696
Region Association: None
QUOTE(SirAndy @ May 18 2010, 01:18 PM) *

QUOTE(silverteener @ May 18 2010, 01:15 PM) *

thanks for the tips. Just went out to try to start it and it starts right up! hopefully it will later when I get done working!

Get a new starter. It's about to die ...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) Andy


I disagree slightly ... it's probably the solenoid overheating, but you might as well get a new starter. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
underthetire
post May 18 2010, 02:39 PM
Post #9


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,062
Joined: 7-October 08
From: Brentwood
Member No.: 9,623
Region Association: Northern California
And unless you really like changing starters, don't get the flaps one. Learned that by the 4th one in 4 months. BTW it's a whole lot easier to remove the drivers side tire and change it out than crawling underneath for those that don't have lifts.

I can do one now in 15 minutes, name your tune!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
TheCabinetmaker
post May 18 2010, 03:08 PM
Post #10


I drive my car everyday
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 8,336
Joined: 8-May 03
From: Tulsa, Ok.
Member No.: 666
Once again, use only bosch new or bosch rebuilt starers and alternaors.
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
orthobiz
post May 18 2010, 04:21 PM
Post #11


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,758
Joined: 8-January 07
From: Cadillac, Michigan
Member No.: 7,438
Region Association: Upper MidWest
Given the cars are 35 or 40 years old, is it a good idea to just replace the starter at the sign of any start problems? Like it's gonna go bad soon anyway?

My car developed a mysterious problem starting last year. Sometimes hot, sometimes cold, turn the key and...nothing! The ignition switch had been replaced when I bought it 3 yrs ago. The new switch was defective and I had to replace it right away (with another aftermarket switch). So I'm wondering, how often can an ignition switch go bad?

Also, anybody have a photo of jumping the wires with a screwdriver? As in, where EXACTLY does the screwdriver go?

Thanks,

Paul
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Ferg
post May 18 2010, 08:40 PM
Post #12


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,948
Joined: 8-January 03
From: Boulder CO
Member No.: 116
Region Association: None
On two cross country trips when I encountered the hot start issue, the screwdriver tricked worked for me every time, two different cars.

Two wires on the starter solenoid, using a long screwdriver bridge the poles, not at a gas pump because it will spark, and not in gear because car will lurch.

PIC



Attached image(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
silverteener
post May 18 2010, 08:48 PM
Post #13


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 214
Joined: 9-August 05
From: East Moline, IL
Member No.: 4,566
my dad bought me some kind of Bosch low voltage relay thing but I haven't had a chance to look at it to much. I will take a picture of it tomorrow. It goes on the starter but i'm not sure what it does. I have an extra starter here I can swap out. but I am curious to see what this Bosch thing is supposed to do? Does anyone know what I am talking about?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
silverteener
post May 18 2010, 08:58 PM
Post #14


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 214
Joined: 9-August 05
From: East Moline, IL
Member No.: 4,566
I found what I have on the bird.


Attached Image

Hot Start Relay Kit
914 1.7/1.8/2.0 (1970-76), 914-6 (1970-72), Each

You guys think I should put this on?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
underthetire
post May 18 2010, 09:01 PM
Post #15


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,062
Joined: 7-October 08
From: Brentwood
Member No.: 9,623
Region Association: Northern California
Thats a relay to help with hot start problems. My car had something like it on it when I got it. Basically it takes the high current load off the ignition switch for the starter solenoid. Kind of a band aid I think, but they do work. Mine was removed when I put the new starter(s) in and have not had a problem.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
silverteener
post May 28 2010, 08:24 AM
Post #16


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 214
Joined: 9-August 05
From: East Moline, IL
Member No.: 4,566
Well I still have this problem. I haven't put the other starter on yet but it's not in the best shape so I'm not sure it will work. I've driven the car the past couple days and it has started with no problems. I just went out to go somewhere and it won't start again. It sat for about an hour since I got here to work. I felt the selonoid and it does not feel hot. I guess I'll try putting on the hot start harness and see if that will help. I don't have the money for a new starter right now. I guess I'll have to jump the starter today huh.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Drums66
post May 28 2010, 01:02 PM
Post #17


914 Rudiments
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,321
Joined: 15-January 03
From: Coronado,Cali
Member No.: 151
Region Association: Southwest Region
QUOTE(underthetire @ May 18 2010, 08:01 PM) *

Thats a relay to help with hot start problems. My car had something like it on it when I got it. Basically it takes the high current load off the ignition switch for the starter solenoid. Kind of a band aid I think, but they do work. Mine was removed when I put the new starter(s) in and have not had a problem.


Call it what you want? but.........I have'nt had an issue since I put 1 on!
( been many many moons)
P.S. even after long periods of sitting!)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
SLITS
post May 28 2010, 01:06 PM
Post #18


"This Utah shit is HARSH!"
**********

Group: Benefactors
Posts: 13,602
Joined: 22-February 04
From: SoCal Mountains ...
Member No.: 1,696
Region Association: None
QUOTE(silverteener @ May 28 2010, 07:24 AM) *

Well I still have this problem. I haven't put the other starter on yet but it's not in the best shape so I'm not sure it will work. I've driven the car the past couple days and it has started with no problems. I just went out to go somewhere and it won't start again. It sat for about an hour since I got here to work. I felt the selonoid and it does not feel hot. I guess I'll try putting on the hot start harness and see if that will help. I don't have the money for a new starter right now. I guess I'll have to jump the starter today huh.


It's not so much the solenoid getting overheated, it's the contacts inside that get burned and do not make good contact. Try whacking it with a hammer (or other suitable tool). On old Chevys we would take the solenoid apart and filp the copper contact disk inside ... wella, a new starter (almost).

Oh, and for a hot start relay, I use a cheap ass Ford solenoid ($6). Doesn't come with the wires, but comes with instructions. Anybody need one or some?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Drums66
post May 28 2010, 01:13 PM
Post #19


914 Rudiments
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,321
Joined: 15-January 03
From: Coronado,Cali
Member No.: 151
Region Association: Southwest Region
Ya.....I agree starter and solenoid issue's must
be corrected first or it is a............can't say it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Todd Enlund
post May 28 2010, 01:14 PM
Post #20


Resident Photoshop Guru
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,251
Joined: 24-August 07
From: Laurelhurst (Portland), Oregon
Member No.: 8,032
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
My car had a Ford starter relay wired in when I got it.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

2 Pages V  1 2 >
Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Switch to: Standard · Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 9th May 2025 - 02:47 PM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2025  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...