1987 PORSCHE 944 battery

Exercise Extreme Caution when Working under the
Engine Hood


The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially hazardous area. If you are not
fully familiar with proper repair procedures, do
not attempt the adjustments described on the
following pages. This caution applies to the
entire vehicle.
Only work on your vehicle outdoors or in a well ventilated area. Ensure that there are no open flames in the
area of your vehicles at any time when
gasoline fumes might be present. Be
especially cautious of such devices such as
hot water heaters which ignite a flame
intermittently.
Before working on any part in the engine
compartment, turn the engine off and let it
cool down sufficiently. Hot engine
compartment components can burn skin on
contact.
Even after the engine has stopped the
radiator fan may continue running until the
temperature of the coolant has dropped to a
certain level. Therefore, never touch the fan
blades as they will rotate spontaneously
when the thermostat turns the fan on, even with ignition off. Be alert and cautious around engine at all
times while the engine is running.
If work has to be done with the engine
running, always set the parking brake, and
make sure the shift lever is in either Neutral
or Park.
Exercise extreme caution to prevent
neckties, jewelry or long hair from getting
caught in the fan blades, the drive belts, or
any other moving engine parts.
Your Porsche is equipped with a
transistorized ignition system with
breakerless distributor. When the ignition is
on, high voltage is present in all wires
connected with the ignition system; therefore
exercise extreme caution when working on
any part of the engine while the ignition is on
or the engine is running.
Always support your car with safety stands if it is necessary to work underneath the car.
The jack supplied with the car is not
adequate for this purpose.
When working underneath the car without
safety stands but with the wheels on the
ground, make sure the car is on level ground, that the wheels are blocked, and that the
engine cannot be started. REMOVE THE
IGNITION KEY.
Do not smoke or allow an open flame around the battery or gasoline. Keep a fire extinguisher in close reach.
Incomplete or improper servicing may cause
problems in the operation of the car. If in
doubt about any servicing, have it done by
your authorized Porsche dealer or any other
properly equipped and qualified workshop.
Improper maintenance during the warranty
period may affect your warranty coverage.
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Tool Kit and Car Jack
The tool kit and jack are stored in the luggage
compartment under the floor mat.
The car jack must be screwed open a little
before it can be removed from the holder.
The tool kit contains tools needed for minor
emergency roadside repairs, adjustments and
wheel changing.
Regulations in some countries require
additional tools. Details should be obtained
prior to leaving for a foreign country.
WARNING

Use the jack only for changing a tire. Never jack up other vehicles or other loads with it. Follow all warnings and instructions found in this manual for changing a tire. The jack must never be used as a support to work underneath the vehicle. If the jack is accidently dislodged, you or bystanders could be seriously injured. When working
under the vehicle, always use safety
stands specifically designed for this
purpose.



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If it fails to light up, the fuse is defective and
must be replaced. Replace black plastic
cover.
The central electrical system contains plug in
relays for various electrical switching
functions.
Defective relays should be tested and
replaced by an authorized Porsche dealer.
To prevent damage to the electrical system
we recommend having all work - including the
installation of electrical accessories -carried
out by your authorized Porsche dealer. . ,

Fuses and Relays
The individual circuits are protected by fuses
to prevent damage to electrical leads and
components due to short-circuits and
overload.
The fuse box with a black plastic cover is
located on the left side in the engine
compartment directly in front of pivot point for
left windshield washer arm.
The use of the fuses and relays is shown
in a list on the inside of the cover of the
fuses and relays.
Replacing a Fuse
Before replacing a fuse, turn off all
electrical components and the ignition;
remove the key. Replacing a fuse or relay with the
engine running or the ignition on could
cause electrical shock.

A blown fuse indicates an overload in the circuit. When a fuse is blown it is not sufficient
to merely replace it. The cause of the short
circuit or overload must be located. Fuses
should never be patched up with tin foil or
wire as this may cause serious damage
elsewhere in the electrical circuit.
Open snap-on latches and remove plastic
cover.
To find out whether a fuse is serviceable, pull
it out with the plastic pliers specifically
provided for this purpose. Insert the fuse at
the test point on relay (G 3). If the fuse is in
proper condition, the green indicator light will
come on.
Loudspeakers


When installing a radio or booster amplifier,
check that the output is compatible with the
capacity of the loudspeakers supplied with the vehicle.
Rated capacity in Watt (Sinus)
Front Rear
2x10 2x10
HiFi Audio Package 2 x 25 2 x 25
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Battery-12 Volt
The battery is located under the front hood in
the cowl area.
A replacement battery should always have the same rating as the original equipment battery.
Specifications are printed on the battery
housing.
Before work is done on the electrical
system, the battery must be disconnected
to prevent short circuiting. First
disconnect the negative ground wire and
then the positive cable. To reconnect
battery, reverse the procedure.
Disconnecting the battery while the engine is running will damage the alternator. This
also applies to cars equipped with a
battery main switch.
Never drive the car with a disconnected battery as this will damage the alternator. WARNING

Do not lay tools or other metal objects on the battery as they could cause a short
circuit across the battery terminals.
Do not expose the battery to an open flame or electric spark. Hydrogen gas
generated by the battery is explosive.
Do not let battery acid come in contact with skin, eyes, fabric or painted
surfaces.
If you get electrolyte, which is an acid, in your eyes or on skin, immediately rinse
with cold water several minutes and call a doctor. Spilled electrolyte must be rinsed off at once with a solution of water and baking
soda to neutralize the acid and prevent
damage to fabric and metal.
Checking the electrolyte fluid level
The electrolyte fluid level in your battery can
be checked by unscrewing and opening the
filler vent caps of each cell. The fluid level
should meet the indicator mark in each cell. If
necessary, top off with distilled water.
How often water must be added depends on
operating conditions and on the time of year.
Generally, the electrolyte level must be
checked more often in the summer than in the winter, and more often when driving long distances.
Only fill up to mark, otherwise the electrolyte will overflow when the battery is being charged and cause damage.
Battery care
Battery should be securely mounted
Terminals and connections should be kept
clean and properly tightened. Corrosion can
be prevented by coating terminals and
connections with petroleum jelly or silicone
spray
Vent caps must be securely tightened to
prevent spillage
Winter operation
During the winter months, battery capacity
tends to decrease as temperatures drop.
Additionally, more power is consumed while starting, and the headlights, heater, rear window defogger, etc., are used more
frequently. Curtail unnecessary power
consumption, particularly in city traffic or when travelling short distances only. Let your
Porsche dealer test the battery's capacity
before winter sets in. A well charged battery
will not only prevent starting problems but will
also live longer.
Battery charging
Automotive batteries lose their efficiency when not in use. The charge available in your
battery can be measured with a hydrometer.
We recommend that battery voltage be tested
by your Porsche dealer who has the
appropriate equipment. If the car is not driven
for prolonged periods, the battery


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must be charged at least every 6 weeks. A
discharged battery allows rapid formation of
sulfates, leading to premature deterioration of
the plates.
WARNING
Charge battery in a well ventilated area.
Keep away from open flame or electrical
spark. Do not smoke. Hydrogen gas
generated by the battery is explosive.
Electrolyte fluid that may spill during charging should be washed off with a solution of warm water and baking soda to neutralize the acid. If you get electrolyte in your eyes or on your
skin, immediately rinse with cold water for
several minutes and call a doctor.
Never charge a frozen battery. It may
explode because of gas trapped in the ice.
Allow a frozen battery to thaw out first. Never use a fast charger as a booster to start the engine. This may seriously damage the
vehicle's electrical system and the charger.
Fast charging a battery is dangerous and
should only be attempted by a competent
mechanic with the proper equipment.
Slow battery charging
WARNING
Heed all warnings and follow instructions
that come with your battery charger.


Disconnect battery cables and remove the
battery.
All vent caps should be open. If fluid level is low, it should be topped up to the full mark in
each cell.
Connect charger cables.
Charger cables must be connected
POSITIVE (+) to POSITIVE (+) and
NEGATIVE (-) to NEGATIVE (-).
Do not connect or disconnect charger cables while charger is operating. Switch on charger. Normally, a battery should be charged at no
more than 10 percent of its rated capacity.
Rated capacity of the battery in your vehicle
is listed on the battery housing.
After charging, turn off charger and disconnect charger cables. Tighten the vent caps and reinstall battery.



91

Emergency Starting with Jumper Cables
WARNING
Improper use of booster battery to start a
vehicle may cause an explosion.
Lead-acid batteries generate explosive
gases. Keep sparks, flame and lighted
cigarettes away from batteries.
Do not charge a frozen battery, thaw it out
first. Gas trapped in the ice may cause an
explosion.
No attempt should be made to jump start any vehicle with a low electrolyte level in the
battery.
Check electrolyte level of each cell. If
necessary, fill with distilled water to just
above plates.
Make sure the voltage of both batteries is the same. The capacity (Ah) of the booster battery
should not be lower than that of the
discharged battery.
Vehicle with discharged battery: turn off
lights and accessories, remove key, move
lever to N or P and set parking brake.
Vehicle with booster battery should not be
running. Disconnect ground cable.
Remove vent caps from booster battery and
discharged battery. Preferably lay a cloth
over open vents to reduce explosion hazard.

How to use jumper cables WARNING
To avoid serious personal injury and damage to the vehicle, heed all warnings
and instructions of the jumper cable
manufacturer. The jumper cables must be long enough so that neither vehicles nor cables touch
another.
Improper hook-up of jumper cables can
ruin the alternator.
Always connect POSITIVE (+) to POSITIVE
(+), and NEGATIVE (-) to ground on engine
block.
1. Connect clamp of plus-cable to positive (+) terminal of discharged battery (1).
2.
Connect clamp on opposite end of cable to
positive (+) terminal of booster battery (2).
3.
Connect clamp of minus-cable to negative
(-) terminal of booster battery (3).
4.
Connect clamp on opposite end of cable to
a bare metal part bolted directly to the
engine block or to the engine block itself (x)
of car with discharged battery. Connect
clamp as far away from battery as possible.
5. Start engine in the usual manner. If engine
fails to start, do not continue to crank but
contact nearest workshop.
6.
With engine running, remove jumper cables from both cars in exact reverse order: Steps 4 through 1.


7. Reconnect ground cable of booster battery.
A - Discharged Battery
B - Booster Battery
Do not try to start car by pushing or towing.
Damage to the catalytic converter, the
transmission, and/or other components of the
car may result.

92

Technical Data
105

Engine 944 Number of cylinders
4
Bore 3.94 in. / 100 mm
Stroke 3.11 in. / 78.9 mm
Displacement 151 cu. in. / 2479 cm
3
Compression ratio 9.7:1
SAE net-power 147 hp/ 110 kW at 5800 rpm
SAE net-torque 140 ft lb / 190 Nm at 3000 rpm
Output per liter 59,3 SAE net-hp / 44,4 SAE net-kW
Max. permissible rpm 6500
Fuel octane rating Unleaded fuel only 91 RON (87 CLC or AKI ((R+M)/2) rating on fuel pump s in U.S.A.)

Spark plugs Bosch WR 7 DC or
Champion RN 9 YC
Electrode gap 0.028 + 0.004 in. / 0.7 + 0.1 mm
Battery capacity 12 volts, 63 Ah
Alternator output 1610W/115A
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Ignition timing Self-adjusting DME (Digital-Motor-E lectronic)
Ignition Transistorized ignition system with breake r less distributor
Belt for alternator Polyrib K6 1000 Lw
Belt for servo pump 9.5 x 950 LA
Valve clearance Hydraulic valve clearance compensat ion

106

Engine 944 S Number of cylinders
4
Bore 3.94 in. / 100 mm
Stroke 3.11 in. / 78.9 mm
Displacement 151 cu. in. / 2479 cm
3
Compression ratio 10.9:1
SAE net-power 188 hp/ 140 kW at 6000 rpm
SAE net-torque 170 ft lb / 230 Nm at 4300 rpm
Output per liter 75,8 SAE net-hp / 56,5 SAE net-kW
Max. permissible rpm 6800
Fuel octane rating Unleaded fuel only 95 RON (90 CLC or AKI ((R+M)/2) rating on fuel pump s in U.S.A.)

Spark plugs Bosch WR 7 DC
Electrode gap 0.028 + 0.004 in. / 0.7 + 0.1 mm
Battery capacity 12 volts, 63 Ah
Alternator output 1610W/115A
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Ignition timing Self-adjusting DME (Digital-Motor-E lectronic)
Ignition Transistorized ignition system with breake r less distributor
Belt for alternator Polyrib K6 1000 Lw
Belt for servo pump 9.5 x 950 LA
Valve clearance Hydraulic valve clearance compensat ion

107

Engine 944 Turbo
Number of cylinders
4
Bore 3.94 in. / 100 mm
Stroke 3.11 in. / 78.9 mm
Displacement 151 cu. in. / 2479 cm
3
Compression ratio 8.0:1
SAE net-power 217 hp/ 162 kW at 5800 rpm
SAE net-torque 243 ft lb / 330 Nm at 3500 rpm
Output per liter 87,5 SAE net-hp / 65,3 SAE net-kW
Max. permissible rpm 6500
Fuel octane rating Unleaded fuel only 90 RON (90 CLC or AKI ((R+M)/2) rating on fuel pump s in U.S.A.)

Spark plugs Bosch WR 7 DC
Electrode gap 0.028 + 0.004 in. / 0.7 + 0.1 mm
Battery capacity 12 volts, 63 Ah
Alternator output 1610W/115A
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Ignition timing Self-adjusting DME (Digital-Motor-E lectronic)
Ignition Transistorized ignition system with breake r less distributor
Belt for alternator Polyrib K6 1000 Lw
Belt for servo pump 9.5 x 950 LA
Valve clearance Hydraulic valve clearance compensat ion

108

Engine hood release
Pull lever on left underneath
dashboard. Disengage safety
catch and lift engine hood up.
Battery
In cowl area in engine
compartment. Check each cell.
Top up with distilled water.
Never disconnect battery while
engine is running. It can ruin
the alternator.
Before connecting quick-charger,
battery must be disconnected. Brake fluid reservoir
Level should be between MIN and MAX marks.
Only use new brake fluid
according to SAE
recommendation J 1703, DOT 3
or DOT 4 and conforming to Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116.
Do not use silicone base brake
fluid (DOT 5). Even the smallest
traces may cause severe
corrosion in the brake system.
Coolant reservoir
Antifreeze must remain in cooling
system all year round.
Coolant level should be between
minimum and maximum mark
when engine is cold. Always add antifreeze and water in ratio specified under "Filling
Capacities".
Use quality antifreeze containing
ethylene glycol.
Windshield and headlight
washer reservoir

1.6 U.S. gal. or 6.0 liters
127


Rear Lid
Unlock by turning door/ignition
key counter-clockwise or
operating the control switch.


Engine oil dipstick

Check oil level a few minutes after engine has stopped. Level should
be between upper and lower
marks on dipstick. Difference
between marks is approx. 1 U.S.
qt. or 1 liter.
WARNING
Before checking anything in
the engine compartment, let the
engine cool down. The fan
blades will rotate
spontaneously (even with
ignition off) until coolant
temperature drops.
Engine oil Always use quality oil labeled "API" Service "SE or SF". Details
under "Engine Oils" .
With filter change approx. 6.34 U.S. qts. (6.0 lite rs)
944 Turbo: approx. 6.87 U.S. qts. (6.5 liters)
Check oil level as described on "Engine oil level".

Manual transmission oil with differential
Hypoid oil SAE 80 according to API classification G L 4 or Mil-L 2105.

Automatic transmission
ATF lubricates torque converter and transmission. U se ATF "Dex-
ron®" only. Quantity at oil change: approx. 3 U.S. qts. or 2.8 liters.
Check ATF level visually through transparent reserv oir at rear end of
transmission housing.
Difference between marks approx. 1 U.S. pint or 0.4 liter. Check ATF
level when ATF is warm, with engine idling, selecto r lever in Neutral
and car on level ground.
For differential use oils API/GI 5 (or Mil-L 2105 B ), viscosity SAE 90.


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