ccoleymd

I recently took a long trip in my 82 911SC and noticed my battery was VERY HOT!, to the point of evaporating the water out of it. I had to replace the battery. ?Is my alternator bad, is it overcharging the battery? Any suggestions / solutions would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Chris
82 911SC

Steve Zitelli

Take a reading a the battery with the car running it should about 13-14.5 volts.If it's much higher then that like 17,you probaly have a bad voltage regulator.

wwest

until you can get the voltage regulator fixed run with FULL electrical load, highbeams and all.

be very carefull, batteries will oftentimes EXPLODE due to serious over-charging!

When you BOIL battery "water" you gets LOTS of very explosive gas!

rbertels

I had the same problem with my Carrera. In my case the problem was with the voltage regualtor and the alternator checked out fine (by a local rebuilder of starters and alternators).

The problem with testing the system with a volt meter for me is that the problem turned out to be sporadic. Twice I arrived at destinations to find that the battery was hot to the touch and the caps had "blown" off from the overcharging.

Changing the voltage regualtor solved my problem and that was over 2 years ago.

rbertels
87 Coupe

ccoleymd

Thank you for the input. I have been told that my voltage regulator (for an 82 911SC)is internal with the alternator, thus, if this is the problem, I will need to replace the alternator(which includes an internal voltage regulator). Please let me know if I am mistaken.
Thank you.
Chris

Bill Gregory

911.603.913.01 electronic regulator 82-on. Attaches on the backside (side away from the fan) of the alternator.

RoninLB

adding a voltage gauge to the console, or under your dash is a good idea..............Ron

Richard C2S

My "problem" is a little different. Occasionally, my battery light on the tach begins to glow. Sometimes for several seconds and then goes off, and sometimes will stay on for a few minutes and then goes off. Not just when the headlights (Euro H4s) are on. My alternator belt is new (last two weeks) and properly adjusted. This does not happen every time I drive the car. For example, last night with headlights and wipers on, no "problem". Any ideas? Also, there is a stalk on the right side of the steering wheel, just behind the wiper control stalk - between the wiper control stalk and the dash. It doesn't seem to do anything. I haven't found mention of it in the owner's manual. Anyone know what this is?

Thank you all for your help.

Richard

John D.

Hi Richard,

Check your engine ground strap. If it's green/corroded - it will show the alt. lamp. As well, if you drive with your lows on - do they "pulse" (yep - I have H4s too, and when they did that.. )? If so - could be your regulator (which can be replaced seperately, as Bill notes, even on an alt. that has the internal regulator).

HTH...

RoninLB

the external regulator Marchal alt will sometimes show a low rpm "G" lite on/off when you have a blown diode...........Ron

Richard C2S

John D, thanks for ground strap suggestion. I replaced the battery last week. The connection at the battery is nice and clean. Will check the other end later today. My lights don't seem to "pulse". They were not as bright before I replaced the battery.

Ron, my light comes on even at high revs. Thanks.

Richard

FRQTFLR

Richard,

I believe the extra "stalk" on the right side is the cruise control