Dads new car Options

[mb911]

My dad is getting his new car today.. Its a 74 2.0 pretty rust free car.. He has had about 10 Porsches over the year s and currently has an 02 boxster s with about 40k on it but needed a retirement project.. Dad is approaching 70 so this a longer term project but it should be fun.. The price was right as he got it for free although I have to provide labor on a 2.2 E rebuild.. I still think it was a good buy

[marksteinhilber]

I had a starter switch problem that was caused by the ignition key tumbler and the ignition switch not playing well together. The shape of the tumbler that sticks into the plastic ignition switch varies between some years or generations and was not the right length, shape, combination, or was worn and would not consistently work with three new ignition switches and two known good original switches in a 1974. I had put this together with new ignition key, tumbler, and switches from online vendors since the PO had kept these as this had been a parts car. I eventually got the original key tumbler for this car from the previous owner and it then worked perfectly with any of the original or new switches.

While I was struggling to figure out this puzzling problem, I kept a remote starter switch connected to the starter and zip tied the trigger up inside the engine compartment. If I was out driving and the car wouldn't start using the key, I could simply turn the ignition on and then hit the remote trigger to crank the car. Worked like a charm. Further investigation eventually found the problem with the key tumbler part. I had tried all kinds of other fixes including the ford starter solenoid, and had cleaned all contacts and grounds, and even had multiple ignition switches in and out many times. With all the fixing and trying, everything ended up very well cleaned and put back together tightly to last. All part of learning the 914.

Storytime over I guess.

My problem was ultimately detected by checking for 12V on the yellow wire at the starter coming from the ignition switch. With various parts installed and contacts cleaned and repaired, I kept checking for 12V when the key was turned to the start position. I did this with a simple 12V light bulb plugged in to the yellow wire spade terminal at the starter as it was an easier one person method than using a multimeter. The yellow wire was disconnected from the starter, the other side of the bulb was wired to ground, and the bulb was placed where I could see it using long wires. This allowed me to test by turning the key and watching for the light to go on. If this test doesn't light the bulb reliably, the starter won't work reliably either. Being older, your dad may enjoy old school simplicity. I soldered long wires to an old tail light bulb that still had one good filament. Recycled and repurposed.