i love scooby snacks

As I know there are a few hardcore 944 fans on here I thought I would post this here for some help or advice.

Ive been looking at a 944 turbo to buy but it has an intermitant starting fault. The engine turns over but it just wont start. Return to the car the next day, and it starts first time everytime.

Now the owner has had countless relays changed and its been to the garage a few time but has had no luck (just bills for hundreds). The car has been in the garage now again since Friday having being towed there but upon arrival it starts first time everytime as it should so they cant locate any faults?

I had agreed a price on the car subject to the fault being fixed but I think the owner has given up and wont lower the price any further.
Has anyone heard of this before? Any ideas what it could be? (all security has been removed so its not a faulty immobilizer etc) Should I bother or will it end up costing me?

cheers

tony

davyboy

Not something I know about, but I have forwarded the question on to some people who will.

Dave

CrisPDuk

It could be something called the DME relay. I read a porsche magazine (the closest I'll get to one as far as Mrs D is concerned) and they regularly cite in their Q & A column this particular relay as the cause of most failures in cars of that era (924, 944 & 964). Apparently it is only a cheap part, about £20, you should always buy a genuine replacement, & you should always carry a spare.

For more information see '911 & Porsche World', May 04, P121

RB5320

The DME relay is a possibility, although being a common fault it may already have been tried.
Have they been able to establish whether the fault is fuel or electrical?
Unless the car is a real bargain it may be better to walk away. There are some good cars available at sensible prices. You could enquire on the http://www.titanic.co.uk/944/ mailing list to see who is selling at the moment.

Steve

i love scooby snacks

Thanks for the comments guys. The seller now wants £4750 for a 250bhp version which is still cheap even if i have to spend another grand on it. Ive been waiting for one for ages after selling my Lux in January so will know by tomorrow if im getting it or not.

Still, anymore suggestions would welcome

tony