New to 914 - dash lights, no start

minskbeetle

New to working on 914's, been doing beetles for a long time.

Helping a friend tune up his '71 with the 1.7 motor. Currently, two red lights on dash are flashing every time I turn the key on - left side, top of dash panel, one has a little "B" label under it, the other has no label (although maybe they're the same light, just takes up two sections of the indicator panel, don't know).

Motor cranks, does not start. No sound of any cylinders firing. He drove it to my place yesterday, left it outside, and now I can't get the thing started and he's on a 5-day work shift out of town, so he's no help to me.

Tried a bit of starting fluid in the air intake, not a single sputter, just the starter motor turning over and over.

Any thoughts? Are these lights linked to something that might prevent starting? What do they mean, and why would they blink with the key in? Any thoughts on where to start with the starting issue?

Thanks for any input Smile

_________________
72 Super - in pieces
72 Super #2 - awaiting a heart transplant
03 Subie Baja - who doesn't like another boxer motor?

Lars S · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:02 am Post subject:

The two section light "B"is a single warning for brakes. There is a switch at the back of the handbrake lever controling this lamp and another switch at the brake master cylinder for the dual circuit which also can put the lamp on at failure.
Release the handbrake and check that switch first.

No this lamp should not prevent the engine from starting. Since the Engine does not respond to the fluid I would check the spark next.

D-jet or carbs?

/Lars
_________________
Porsche 914 -72, Bahia Red daily driver Smile

VW411 2-d -70, White, sold Sad

VW412 4-d, -73, Gold Metallic, daily driver
Suzuki T500, -69, Candy Gold, sold Sad

Suzuki K50, -77, Black, daily driver
BMW R69S -69, White, sold Sad

Husqvarna 118cc, -47, Black, Sold Sad

minskbeetle · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:38 pm Post subject:

D-jet
_________________
72 Super - in pieces
72 Super #2 - awaiting a heart transplant
03 Subie Baja - who doesn't like another boxer motor?

minskbeetle · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:20 pm Post subject:

Update to situation - motor was flooded to the moon. Had to put a jump box on it and hold the throttle down and crank for ever to get a sputter. Finally did get it started, ran for a bit. Started on the tune up, after it sat for another couple hours, exact same thing - had to crank for ever to get a sputter even, acted like it was flooded again.

Not knowing really anything about this fuel injection system, is there any way it could be flooding every time the motor is shut off, or when the key is turned on, or when ???
_________________
72 Super - in pieces
72 Super #2 - awaiting a heart transplant
03 Subie Baja - who doesn't like another boxer motor?

Lars S · Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 9:31 pm Post subject:

I would first check the Cold start valve.
The best source to D-jet info is at pbanders site:
http://members.rennlist.com/pbanders/djetparts.htm#troubleshoot

There is a Troubleshooting Table there and LOTS of other info.

Please let us know how it turns out, thanks.

/Lars S
_________________
Porsche 914 -72, Bahia Red daily driver Smile

VW411 2-d -70, White, sold Sad

VW412 4-d, -73, Gold Metallic, daily driver
Suzuki T500, -69, Candy Gold, sold Sad

Suzuki K50, -77, Black, daily driver
BMW R69S -69, White, sold Sad

Husqvarna 118cc, -47, Black, Sold Sad

minskbeetle · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:40 am Post subject:

Hmm, looking at that troubleshooting table sounds like that could be the source, will try checking that. Where is the switch located?
_________________
72 Super - in pieces
72 Super #2 - awaiting a heart transplant
03 Subie Baja - who doesn't like another boxer motor?

Lars S · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 7:08 am Post subject:

The Cold start switch is just under the Cold start valve.
The valve is only activated when the starter motor operates AND the Engine block is cold (thermo switch closed).
It could be that the valve is faulty/leaking/stuck open or the thermo switch does not break the circuit even if the block is not cold. Its easy to disconnect the wire from the switch but to see if the valve is leaking you will have to unscrew it.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

/Lars S
_________________
Porsche 914 -72, Bahia Red daily driver Smile

VW411 2-d -70, White, sold Sad

VW412 4-d, -73, Gold Metallic, daily driver
Suzuki T500, -69, Candy Gold, sold Sad

Suzuki K50, -77, Black, daily driver
BMW R69S -69, White, sold Sad

Husqvarna 118cc, -47, Black, Sold Sad

broomhandle · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 4:01 pm Post subject:

The D-jet is a pain... there could be lots of issues with it. its old! i fought with D-jet on my '70 and i finally gave up and went with a single carb... fixed the problem.

i would start with fuel... make sure its getting it.

vacuum is the next thing.... with the d-jet. its leaks from everywhere, and d-jet relys on it.

Lars S · Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 9:44 pm Post subject:

broomhandle · Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 9:37 am Post subject:

i agree. D-jet can be great. and FI is better MPG/HP

my exp with D-Jet, i had 2 70/71... 71 was fine. and the 70 was just a mix of tons of parts... so i took it off. i kept fixing all the leaks and seals etc... it never ran right.

i have 2 sets of D-jet and brand new rebuilt yellow injectors if anybody is interested.... haha

i currently have no running 914's... Sad

Bleyseng · Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:06 am Post subject:

The first thing to check if a djet car is flooding or really rich at start up is the CHT sensor as its bad. $20 part that tells the ECU the engine temperature. A bad one means "Full rich" and it will barely start as the engine floods unless you hold the throttle wide open turning it over and then it runs like crap as the mix is too rich.
_________________
70 Ghia Black convert-9/69 build date-stock w/133k 1600 SP-barn find now with a rebuilt tranny and engine
77 Westy 2.0L w/Ljet, Camper Special engine-95hp and with LSD!(sold)
76 Porsche 914 2.1L L20c, 120hp Djet (sold)
87 Syncro Westy Titan Red 2.1L 2 knob 100k miles


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