Porsche Repair: relay questions, l bracket, 928s


Question
QUESTION: 81 928S- Runs good, but every once in awhile I can turn the key over to start and get "nothing", no click, it will not start and it makes no noise.. I will try again sometimes more than once and it starts.. I've changed the starter, no change, I'm thinking that it is a relay.. but holy shit, there are many relays!.. which one is the starter relay?.. the book says #14 or something like that.. but where is it and how do you know you are replacing the right one????? thanks

ANSWER: Amazing car!  Amazing number of fuses and relays under the passenger foot board too.   I made it an annual event to rotate all the fuses in their sockets yearly on all three of my sharks over the years.

I could recite the relay numbers, part numbers, and locations however its time you found a good source for information like this and parts as well.  Go to https://www.928gt.com/default5.htm which is 928 Spec.
Websites left hand panel has the relay charts. Jeannie and David can help you out.

However read this after you review the relay chart:
http://nichols-usa.com/tip567.htm

Enjoy,

Griff






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for the response.. I am slowly checking everything.. I noticed that the 81 lists two different starter relays.. one is a little copper L shaped thing.. it is in number XIV slot, the other kind is more like the normal relay .. which is the right one?.. also, if the ignition switch is bad, do you have a listing for instructions on how to change it?.. and finally I noticed that after my car runs for awhile the volt meter indicator goes all the way down to 9 or 10, then will go back to 12 at higher RPM's, ..it will also go to 9 when I turn on the headlights.. is the altenator shot or voltage regulator?  and can you change just the regulator?? thanks again

Answer
1) You are interested in the relay, not the 'L' bracket.

2) Check you battery voltage with engine off, 12 to 12.7 volts; the higher the reading the higher state of charge, with engine running between 13.5 and 14.5 volts, and do a load test on the battery (you'll find post on a question I answered recently on the forum our you can lookup key words for battery testing if you have never done tests before).
3) Although you can replace the regulator on the alternator, if the commutator (what the regulator's brushes will ride upon) are worn or out of round the brushes will bounce and the new regulator will be toast, or if the bearings are shot its not worth the effort either.

After you have tested the battery and the charging circuit, and if the alt. is bad simply call David or Jeannie at 928 Spec and discuss R&R costs on the alternator.