DME relay - talk to me!

[NinjaPower]

In 3 years of ownership, my 993 has never failed failed to start... Until today!

I had been out and about in the car most of the day doing a few different journeys, but on the way home I called at the supermarket, and when I returned to the car it wouldn't start. Immobiliser 'beeped off' fine as usual, and the starter motor span the engine up fine but I got nothing... Well nothing apart from a few people wandering past with trollies laughing and saying stuff like "ha ha... Serves the t**t right for owning a Porsche"... :gunfire:

I tried it a few times and left a few mins in between turns but still nothing.

I was then resigned to phoning the AA to come and take my car to the workshop... And bricking myself about the possible repairs.

But, I then remembered about the DME, so I popped the hood, opened the fuse box, pulled out the DME (it was really warm), gave it a good tap, cleaned the prongs, and stuck it back in.

Car then started first turn.

Coincidence? :dont know:

Does this sound like the sort of DME problem?

If it is, where to get a new one? I've noticed the OEM ones are about £55 (eBay) but you can get reproduction replacement items for £20.

Where did you get yours?

Thanks.

 

[GT4]

Bought my spare (I suggest you buy two to keep one spare) from PorschApart - they sell new parts too, and just happened to the cheapest "name brand" on eBay at that the time that I knew and had previously good service from.

So I would check eBay again, and do likewise from the cheapest reputable seller.

Make sure you buy the newer (more reliable) 993 part number, that replaced the 944/964 number (if these are still knocking around)

993.615.227[01]

 

[NinjaPower]

Thanks for that.

Just bought one from Porsche Apart on eBay, manufactured by Kaehler for £24.45.

It's the 'old' part number of 993.615.227.00 but I presume as its not manufactured by Porsche it won't have the problems of the mk1 OEM relay?

 

[orangecurry]

Classic symptoms. Old relay part number starts 944.xxx.xxx.xx which is what GT4 meant, so your 993.xxx.xxx.xx one is the newer version.

I got mine from the OPC for 22 quid IIRC.

 

[Zingari]

I was prented with a spare when I bought my 993 by the previous owner who was obviouslt well aware of the need to carry a spare.

It's now in the glovebox of the 964 :thumb:

Out of interest how much are these from OPC :dont know: Sounds like eBay price is taking the p**s believing you will be ripped off at OPC when sometimes the contrary is true.

I caught out Porshe-Apart charging more for parts on occasion :hand:

 

[ballcock]

Yep , very typical DME relay failure , and also typical that a technical tap would get it back on the job , though only temporarily I'd imagine.

 

[decgraham]

Hi,

Mine did exactly the same, fortunately for me the car was still in the garage :lol: I removed the old relay which was the original and fitted the new one that I bought from Porsche parts before the long drive to Spain. Car started up first time Just out of interest I then put the original back and it worked fine. I did give it the proverbial "tap" and it lasted for a further year until I had the same symptom, put the new one back and the car fired straight up. I ordered a new one from Type 911 and keep it as a spare.

I remember thinking that if it wasn't for the wealth of knowledge I've picked up on here I would not of had a clue, plus I read that you MUST always carry a spare :wack:

ATB

 

[madalaa]

Old battery earth straps are also worth replacing as they can also give you a non start issue......

 

[clarkycat]

Goddammit!

Another thing I now need to buy and throw in the Tardis-like door pocket before we head for Bavaria...
:frustrated:

 

[GT4]

Sits in the top corner

Thanks for that.

Just bought one from Porsche Apart on eBay, manufactured by Kaehler for £24.45.

It's the 'old' part number of 993.615.227.00 but I presume as its not manufactured by Porsche it won't have the problems of the mk1 OEM relay?

Old part would be prefixed 944.xxx.xxx (orriginally used on 964, then early 993 too)

"new" part is the 993 prefix.

The [01] is the newest revision of that part, but that is not important (it just defines a material or production method or manufacturer/supplier change).

So [00] (as long as it is the 993 version) is still the functionally newer part.


That's why I always post PNs as 3x3 or 3x3 + [], as the process revision is in general irrelevant, and is the bit that changes for non-functional reasons.

If Porsche renegotiate the manufacturer/supplier tomorrow, then we will get [02].

It is mostly for quality control tracking.

I paid PorschApart £20.88 inc delivery a year ago, but as I say, check other sellers and buy from who you are comfortable with.

Obviously if there is no one on eBay currently charging less than OPC, then buy from OPC!


PS - spare DME relay (in its box) fits nicely in the top corner of the zippy oil bag (for safe keeping):

 

[Zingari]

Just cehcked - mines a 944 part. No problem as its only a spare

ooooh I want that oil bag :worship:

 

[GT4]

Well, you can sod off!

It's not for sale (unless you have a matching pair of powder flasks :?: )

(you don know, by law, you can't can't keep Shell Helix in that bag?)



Seriously though, the 944 part will be fine for spare (get you home or the next 10k miles), it's just the original part tends to overheat eventually and weld itself broken.

The 993 part is just much greater longevity.

 

[Zuffenhausen :O)]

ooooh I want that oil bag :worship:

Plenty on ebay for a £5

 

[Zingari]

ooooh I want that oil bag :worship:

Plenty on ebay for a £5

Far too many cowboys on there taking the mick and likely cheaper at OPC :grin:

 

[orangecurry]

Just cehcked - mines a 944 part. No problem as its only a spare

ooooh I want that oil bag :worship:

Doesn't the oil leak out?

Hey Zing - do you have lisdexia?