yumyum1667

Just got back from a long road trip through the mountains. Car did great until I got home the car gave off the dreaded sulfer smell. I checked the battery and it was red hot but had not boiled over.

I took it to AutoZone and they confirmed that the battery was toast.

After research the voltage regulator seems to be suspect which is very common. I am not having any other electrical issues.

My questions is this: A replacement voltage regulator appears to be about $60 through various online vendors. AutoZone quoted me $165 including core for the entire refurbished alternator. This is supposdely with new brushes, bushings, voltage regulator. The clerk mentioed that it is not an OEM Bosch but rather a refurbished Bosch.

Would you go ahead and replace the entire alternator while in there for a little extra $$$ or would you just replace the voltage regulator?

Thanks in advance,

Greg

Ed Hughes

I'd do the alternator, but I'm not sure I'd go to AZ for it. Someone like Zim's in DFW would stock reman Porsche alts.

Ed Hughes

That is why I made my statement. Zim's used to have bearings replaced, etc as part of a complete redo.

yumyum1667

Thanks for the advice. I will check with Zim's.

Also I just put the meter on the battery and it shows 13.4 volts with the engine off and 14.4 volts with the engine running. I ran the test with leaving the accessories on for a minute and then have the engine run at 2,000 rpms. I did not see a spike in voltage and the voltage remained steady at 14.4 volts.

It sure does smell like rotten eggs.

What do you guys think?

Greg

rusnak

I may be in the minority here, but I had something similar happen after I brought mine home.

I replaced just the regulator, and the alternator lasted another 200K mikes before it wore out.

You just might replace the regulator if the alternator is smooth and quiet.

tbanasiak

had same problem after buying a 89 911 and driving it back from Texas last july. Lights would flicker bright to dim and back, radio would go periodically in and out. Cooked my battery. Made it the remaining 3 hours home to Clarksville TN after having to buy a new battery. Everything pointed to my regulator being bad, ordered from porsche dealer @ 60 dollars and good to go since. Replacing is straight forward not much to it. I second what rusnak says............!!

Ed Hughes

You guys are killing me! I look for any chance to hang new parts. My invoice folder proves it!

yumyum1667

Ok guys I like your thinking. New regulator it is!

wwest

I think there is a good possibility that your "toasted" battery has a shorted cell (common failure) and the alternator/regulator is still trying to charge the remaining 5 cells to 13.5 volts.

ron mcatee

Be aware that 88 911's have an internal regulator. The alternator has to be pulled to get the regulator out. If you have over a 100K on the car, I'd change the alternator.

yumyum1667

What is a good source for a remanufactured alternator?

Ed Hughes

As I mentioned earlier, Zims in Dallas. Try have online ordering, or call and talk to Kirk.

Allzim.com

Radcap

To complicate things further, I had the same thing happen with my battery when I purchased my car 2 years ago, changed batteries(not knowing the problem) same deal, red hot after just a few miles in the car. Changed the voltage regulator and changed to a new Optima red cell. Just had the same thing happen again but, had the battery checked by the retailer......BAD CELL right from the factory, replaced it with a new one, drove 170 miles yesterday, cold battery, all electrics great, no excessive draw. Happy guy. What a head wrecker though!!!

Cheers,

Rod,

yumyum1667

Ok I have hit a snag. While trying to remove the fan to get to the alternator I can't for the life of me remove the two bottom nuts that hold the plastic housing to the fan. I have a tiny 8mm wrench and it will not even fit in there.

Any ideas on how to get in sucha tight space? The nut is recessed so I can not get a socket on it.

How far can I pull the fan out while it is still attched to the plastic shroud? That might be part of my problem. I just want to be careful and make sure I don't pull the fan out too far and break te alternator wires.

rusnak

That nut does not hold the plastic shroud on. You should turn the fan housing so that you csn get a wrench on the other nut. Yhe shroud will come off, and you can get to the wires.