Loose DME connection

[cfwells]

I have an 1987 911 Carrera and for months the car will randomly fail to start or will quit on the road. I have replaced the distributor cap, rotor, coil, fuel pump and DME relay, yet the problem persists. I believe the problem is being caused by a poor contact at the DME and the DME connector cable. If the car fails to start I can wiggle the connector and get the car started. I have cleaned the contacts and used dielectric grease on the connector to no avail. Does anyone have an idea how to improve the connection at the DME?. I was thinking of using long cable ties to hold the connector more firmly

[Loren]

I suggest (carefully) opening the connectors and looking for the poor connection.

Bad solder connection or bent pins or worn wires shorting can wreck havoc in the DME - and even damage it.

[cfwells]

That is being done at this very moment, If the pins and sockets are in good shape I am at a loss as to the next step. I have owned this car since it was new and have never had a problem until this year. Now it is completely unreliable.

[Loren]

The fact that you can wiggle the connection and make it work should be a strong suggestion that the problem is in one of those connectors - or the grounds for the DME.

[cfwells]

I tightened the ground behind the fuel filter, the one on the left side of the intake manifold, and the one in the front compartment on the left. Is there another ground for the DME?

[Loren]

Likely where it bolts to the chassis.

[Uwon]

I experienced the same issues with my '86. Turned out to be a poor plug connection for the reference sensor located on the bell housing at about 2 o'clock on the drivers side. Sensor and plug may need some cleaning.

I believe that you also have a ground strap from the trani to the chassis on the passenger side.

Good luck.

[cfwells]

I finally resolved the Issue. It was a bad DME. The DME would fail at random,, but the time between failures was decreasing. When I took the DME to a Porsche rebuilder in South Miami he tested the DME and it failed every few seconds on his test equipment. I bought a rebuilt DME from him for less than $400, installed it and all problems were solved

[Loren]

I finally resolved the Issue. It was a bad DME. The DME would fail at random,, but the time between failures was decreasing. When I took the DME to a Porsche rebuilder in South Miami he tested the DME and it failed every few seconds on his test equipment. I bought a rebuilt DME from him for less than $400, installed it and all problems were solved

:thumbup:

[mghorayeb]

Hey cfwells, Who did you go to in Sourh Miami? Anybody you might recommend? I am now living in Naples and am looking for good independent garage. Preference would be on this side, but good to know of other options.