Starting issue, Click and no start -intermittent Options

[North Coast Jim]

Car has been back together now for 10 months. In heated storage all this past winter. I've put approx. 1K miles on it in that time with zero issues.

Since back on the road this Spring I've put 400 miles on it along with a trip to Mid-Ohio for the IMSA race. In that time I've had 2 instances of a no start. Turning the key produces a click in the area of the starter and the GEN and OIL pressure lights dim dramatically. Waiting and continued trying will produce a normal start. On the second no start I did cycle the headlights. All components are NEW. Ignition switch, Bosch type, Starter, along with the Bowlsly supplied GEN/Start cable. New starter positive cable along with an Optima red top battery. After start the car runs fine and the Gen produces normal voltage output (by gauge not actually measured). As for it being a hot start issue the first instance was after a 35 mile run when I stopped for gas. The second instance was after a 15 mile run but the car sat for over an hour. Outside air temp was 65 degrees. So I think we can rule that out.

Fuel pump has been relocated to under the front gravel pan. Car is Weber carb'd now. New rebuilt engine 2.

This morning I did climb under the car and all connections are tight. The starter positive cable, the red wire and the yellow wire. No corrosion - there new.

Any ideas where to start ??

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[rick 918-S]

I am not a believer in the hot start gizmo. Porsche didn't install it. These cars have started as built for years and years. I'm of the camp that a guy should just fix the real problem not add a Rube Goldberg device.

Before you get too concerned and start added stuff the car never had to fix a problem you haven't really discovered check the battery. If the battery is good do the Ed test. Take a set of "good" jumper cables, connect the positive to the battery and post on the starter. Do the same with the ground. If it starts change the cables. I chased a no start, slow crank issue for a whole summer.

[Mark Henry]

I am not a believer in the hot start gizmo. Porsche didn't install it. These cars have started as built for years and years. I'm of the camp that a guy should just fix the real problem not add a Rube Goldberg device.

Before you get too concerned and start added stuff the car never had to fix a problem you haven't really discovered check the battery. If the battery is good do the Ed test. Take a set of "good" jumper cables, connect the positive to the battery and post on the starter. Do the same with the ground. If it starts change the cables. I chased a no start, slow crank issue for a whole summer.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Porsche also never installed a water cooled V8 in a 914. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

"I chased a no start, slow crank issue for a whole summer." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

If you don't like it don't do it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

If you do install it and don't like it, it comes off in seconds and hooks back up stock, because not a single thing (on the 914) was modified, hole drilled or wire cut.

good time to post this. Im presently driving a 1990 Ford truck with said same solenoid. A few weeks ago I started the truck and the starter just kept turning after the truck started. I turned off the key and it just kept turning. I then had to jump out of the truck open the hood and pull the battery cable off to make it stop. The Ford solenoid failed and kept the Bendix engaged with the flywheel. I doubt seriously that I will be putting one of these on my 914 any time in the distant future.

So you're saying it failed after 28 years with tens of thousands of 6-700 CCA start events?
What did you replace it with? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Some guys just don't like the thought of a Ford part on a 914.
BTW I'm still waiting for someone to send me their Ford Mustang based Rennshifter, I promise to dispose of it properly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)
Also everyone with KB pistons... hate to break it to you, they're slightly modified Ford pinto pistons.