DEL

I'll try not to be too crazy here but I had a horrifying experience this morning. I rolled out of the garage on a perfect sunny and 65 morning today. I was about 30 miles away from home and my tach stopped working, then I noticed the turn signal indicators stoppped working, then the windows, the radio, and then (gasp!) the car started cutting out and left me on a scary single lane on ramp. I pushed the car (UP!) the on ramp with some help from a passing Toyota driver and long story short I replaced the Battery to get her home.

Checking voltage at idle with a brand new battery it shows 12 volts.

Any advice on troubleshooting would be great. I've looked through my Haynes manual and it's weak. Before I lay out $450 for a new Bosch Alternator I'd like to be able to test it.

I'm fairly confident that I can R&R the Alternator myself, but this will be the first time I turn a wrench on a 911. Any warnings or tricks would be great to hear.

Mine and my Porsches life flashed before my eyes as cars were whizzing by with little room to spare. It reminded me of the Porshing story I read by Chris Welty.

Thanks for letting me vent at least!

Bill Gregory

DEL,

There's several ways to test it. Here's one, courtesy of Bentley...Attach your voltmeter to the battery. Rev the engine to 1500+ rpm. Voltage higher than 14.2 volts is a faulty regulator. below 13.5 volts could be loose fan belt, or bad regulator or bad alternator. Assuming the fan belt is tight, with the meter still on the battery, raise the rpm again, and turn on all electrical accessories, lights, etc. If the reading is the same as when the accessories were off, bad regulator. If reading is lower, bad alternator. You can always take the alternator out and take it to a shop that can test it, too.

There's an article by Wil Ferch on the tech.rennlist.com web site under 911 that details the replacement procedure.

A new Porsche or OEM alternator for an '82 would run you around $300, which includes the integrated voltage regulator. I believe you can replace just the voltage regulator if it's bad, too.

Walt

I had a similar experince last year with my M-B, left me stranded 200 miles from home in Baltimore. It was the voltage regulator.

MichaelW

Many decent alternator shops can refurbish an oem brand alternator. A local shop replaced a few parts and powerdercoated the fan for about $40. Much better than the $300+ for a rebuilt one.

Michael
87 targa

Bill Gregory

Michael,

A new 1982 alternator costs $279 plus handling and shipping from Vertex and $320 from Porsche (and 2 year warranty) plus shipping. That's what I based the $300 figure on. Agree with you if a shop can fix the alternator, that would be the price performer.

DEL

Thanks for the responses!

Can anyone shed any light on the procedure to R&R the alternator on this car? I can't even see it but from what I've read it's behind the big fan. Any estimates on how long it takes and what has to be removed? My Haynes book is once again weak in this area. I'll be ordering the Bently manual soon.

Checking Pelican parts their Alternator is priced at $450. Any contact info for the Vertex company mentioned?

If it's not too tough a job I'll R&R and have it rebuilt locally. If it's a 2+ hour job I'll want a brand new unit in there.

Thanks for the help guys, I'm sure I'll fall back in love with this thing once she's fixed

Don Plumley

Pelican Parts has a good Tech Article on this. Here is the link for Vertex and the listing for the alternators.

Do get the Bentley Manual. Good Luck!

Don

DEL

Don,

Thanks for the info! I had already dug into it and had the fan assembly off and the alternator un-bolted. With the Pelican article I now know that I only need to take the outer housing loose and I'm home free.

So far so good. I should be back in business inside of a week!

Thanks again for the support guys.

DEL

One last thing...

Does anyone have a Bosch part number? I want to try and shop locally before I mail order (and wait for shipping)

Ps. The alternator in the car was a rebuilt out of Newport Beach, CA.

Thanks again,

Greg-slant/cab

Try GPR parts, they are a great source and they always beat prices. CAll 1-800-321-5432 ask for Dave. or www.gprparts.com No affiliation just a very satisfied customer.

Steve, 914 guy

Just be careful to keep the fan pulley shims in the right order, ie the right # inside the pulley, and outside. there should be at least 6 total, 7 is better.