1987 PORSCHE 944 radio

Ignition/Starter Switch with Steering Lock
The steering is equipped with an anti-theft
ignition lock.
Switch positions
0
The steering is blocked by the steering lock: all circuits wired through the ignition
are switched off.
The ignition key can only be withdrawn in the
"0" position. The parking lights can be
operated in this position by pushing the turn
signal indicator lever up and down (also see
"Parking lights").
1 Position for radio. Steering unlocked. If it is difficult to turn the key, gently move the
steering wheel until the key turns freely.
Note: all circuits which are disconnected in
position "3" can be switched on.
To conserve battery power, switch off other
electrical consumers while playing radio in
position "1".
2
Ignition on. All electric circuits are
operational. With the engine stationary, the
central warning light and all individual
warning lights located in both combination
instruments will light up for a bulb check.
3
The starter is operated by turning the
ignition key to the right. As soon as the
engine starts, release the key. It will spring
back to position "2". With the engine
running, the central and individual warning
lights should go out (see "Central warning
light").
To conserve battery power, the electric
circuits for headlights, rear window de-
fogger/defroster, temperature control and
wiper/washer system are temporarily interrupted during the starting process.
The starter should not be operated for more
than 10 to 15 seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start the first time or stalls at any
time, the ignition key must be returned to the
"0" position. The non-repeat lock in the switch
prevents the
starter from being operated when the engine is running and guards against
starter damage.
To remove the key and to lock the steering
wheel
, turn the key back to position "0" and
pull out. Turn the steering wheel until it locks.

WARNING
Never remove key from ignition lock or
turn key off while vehicle is moving. The
steering wheel will lock, causing loss of
control.
Instrument panel lights
Warning lights for alternator, oil pressure, and
brake system will light up for a bulb check
when the ignition is turned on. They should go out after the engine is started. The brake
warning light will go out after the parking
brake has been fully released. See
"Warning lights" for more details.
Buzzer
If you leave the key in the ignition/steering
lock, the buzzer will sound when the driver's
door is opened. This is a reminder to remove
the key.
For further details see "Starting Procedures"
on the following page.

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Starting Procedures

WARNING
Fasten safety belts before driving.
Never start or let the engine run in an enclosed, unventilated area. Exhaust
fumes from the engine contain carbon
monoxide, which is a colorless and
odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can be
fatal if inhaled.

Never leave engine idling unattended. An unattended vehicle with a running engine
is potentially hazardous.
Do not park or operate the vehicle in areas where the hot exhaust system may
come in contact with dry grass, brush,
fuel spill or other flammable material.
Never leave engine idling. When starting engine, be ready to drive immediately.
Maintain moderate speed until engine is
warm.

Automatic Transmission - Start with selec-
tor lever in Park.
Manual Transmission - Start with gearshift
lever in Neutral.
Temperature sensors on the engine auto- matically provide the correct fuel/air mixture
required for starting.
Therefore, do not depress the accelerator
pedal while starting a cold or a warm engine.
When starting at very low outside
temperatures , fully depress the clutch pedal,
so that the starter only has to crank the
engine.
As soon as the engine starts, release the ignition key.
If the engine fails to start after 10 to 15
seconds of cranking, wait about 10
seconds before engaging starter again.
Do not let engine idle to warm it up. After
starting, drive vehicle at moderate speeds and with gradual accelerations. Avoid high rpm
and full throttle operation until the engine has
reached normal operating temperature.
Stopping engine
Turn key back to position 0.
Do not stop engine immediately after hard
or extended driving. Keep engine running
at increased idle for about two minutes to
prevent excessive heat buildup before
turning off engine.
WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment, let the engine cool down.
Hot components can burn skin on
contact.

The radiator fan switches on automatically when the coolant reaches a
certain temperature and continues to run
(even with ignition off) until the coolant
temperature drops. Therefore, never
touch the fan blades as they will rotate
spontaneously when the thermoswitch
turns the fan on.

If you have an automatic garage door...
The transistorized ignition system in your
Porsche may interfere with your electronically
operated garage door. To check this: drive
your Porsche close to the garage door and
run the engine at different speeds.
If the garage door opens or closes without
your operating the garage door unit in your
car, contact the dealer who installed the
automatic garage door to have the frequency
and/or coding of the garage door signal
modified.
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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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