So, about 3 months ago picked up BMoores 996 bruiser and never looked back.

It had a hard V1 wire so I promptly installed one - turns out it was a direct batt wire rather than ignition power so after leaving it on one night, battery was dead. I jumped it, then charged it, but it never ran right afterwards.

I've read that low voltage can cause a host of bizarre issues like I was experiencing:

- Starts and 3 seconds later, dies
- Starts and randomly dies at speed
- Starts and will loose all throttle, idling and coasting down the street

I replaced the battery..

Then I got a low Oil warning and read about how they burn a bit of oil, the meter said it was low, so I added a quart.

Today, the car has been rendered undrivable. I cycled the key 30 times at the Gym parking lot, as it started, and like clockwork, 3 seconds later, dies.
Occassionally, it would start, bounce around at idle, rev low, rev high, and die 10 seconds later.

Eventually it stayed on long enough for me to limp it home, dying 5 times on the way home, throttle cutting in and out with zero codes, no predictability.

I opened the engine bay and stared at the fuel pump for a while, it stared back at me with a stupid look on its face.

I know all things can be fixed, so - what am I getting into here ? what the hell is going on ?

I figure the low voltage thing after the batter was fixed - Moorespeed in town checked the batt+alt in the car and it checked out fine, I charge it every night (even though at best It will read 13.5V while driving) .

I have put about 1000 miles on it and drive it about once a week - what to do now ?

 

MAF or boost leak is where I'd start. Sorry this is happening to you.

 

Also check for a bad ground wire.

 

bad maf or boost leak

 

13.5 v is not low. You shouldn't need to charge your car every night. What does your oil level read now?

 

Alternators are known to go too..not too terribly expensive and an easy DIY...if it will stay running...

Running issues with no codes are usually MAF leaks (usually AFTER the MAF. MAF cars don't like unmetered air. Put you in limp mode, but no codes or CEL's. Check for leaks and check your MAF.

 

Ajay,

Just forwarded this thread to Steve. I'm going to see what, if any, input he may be able to offer. It does sound like it could be the alternator as Mike says. Unless the previous owner before me changed it, it was the factory one. I know I had mentioned to you that I always kept the car on a tender religiously but even the times I had forgotten to do so, a jump and a drive usually sorted things out, if the battery died.

 

..and here's the Gremlin farmer...

 

Sorry for your troubles...too bad. however, take each problem one at a time. Think about getting a scan tool (like durametric) so you can get to the root of each problem, rather than 'best guess'. Looks like you'll be spending some time/money to get back to normal. MAF, coilpacks, fuel delivery, vac leaks...take it one step at a time. Throw enough cash at it to fix each problem and you'll get back to a happy place!
good luck

 

here you go but a MAF 70 bucks on ebay change it yourself its easy

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/360328580...ht_1979wt_1270

 

I am not sure bmoores old car was even using the MAF

 

Thanks for everyones replies - turns out it is a MAF issue. Specifically, the resistor on the MAF harness.

After some help from Steve at drivers source through Bmoores, it was diagnosed over the phone as the problem - a new 470 Ohm half watt resistor later - the car is up and running. albiet a little bouncy idle, so i'm going to check some boost leaks and im sure it will be right as rain.

Thanks for the help everyone ! it goes back to the old addage of a 140k car brought to its knees over a 20c part. *sigh*

 

Thumbs up for Steve @ Drivers Source for helping diagnose the problem.

Thumbs up for Ben for "after the sale" help.

 

Glad you got it sorted Ajay. Now that you've got the new resistor in place might be wise to disconnect the battery one final time so you can reset the fuel trims. That may smooth out the idle after 20 miles or so.

 

Thanks Ben,

Ya Steve was saying the same thing about the batt reset.

*Applause* for the Porsche community!

A lot of people around here could probably drive whatever they want to, but few can rival the culture we have on this forum! Thanks 6speeders !