Rich Sandor

I was just replacing my pax side brake duct today, and wrenching up some lose screws around the front end of the car, along with re-aligning the headlights so that they come flush with the nose panel, and I was running my MP3 player in the car for a few hours, maybe 2.5 hours, while working. I noticed the player kept cutting out, and eventually it shut off, and wouldn't come back on, although everything else electrical worked okay.

Well, when I finished up and tried to start the car, and nothing! Cold shoulder from MY car!!!. It was like tryin' to make love to a chick after telling her she's fat. I wasn't getting any action!

Anyways, my dad pulled out this ancient bettery charger for me, and we hooked the mother up to the battery, and let it charge for a few minutes. I tried cranking it again, and the MP3 player came on right away, but the engine just wouldn't crank over. However, without me even touching the light switch, the external lights came on, and STAYED on after I pulled the key out. I had to get back in, put the key in the ignition, turn ON the lights, and OFF again, and pull they key, and finally shut the door before the lights would go out. WEIRD **** MAN!!!! It's like I was high or something.

So, as I'm writing this, I'm charging that **** in the garage while havin' a beer and a banana, hoping I can drive the p-car to work tonight. Otherwise I might have to take the Cavalier. Heaven forbid. Thing is, my gauge always read around 12, I think, and never went all the way to the top, expect after an extended high rev sesion one day, but then after it went back to around 12 or under.

So, you guys think it's time for a new battery, or maybe a full day of spirited driving till the battery charges all the way??? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

IceShark

LOL! You should know that I'm jammed on the first battery cable kits. They are all sold out. And then some up to about 100 kits.

I'll do more later when I get the time.

Rich Sandor

Thanks IceMan!

Well, the battery charged right on up to 13+!

But it went back to 12 after 30min of driving.

Also, I adjusted the Headlights so that they are flush with the nose panel and fenders, BUT now they don't come UP all the way, and point at the ground!!!!! I'm going to have to adjust the headlight rods to fine tune it again!

IceShark

Rich, if you are dropping voltage after running for awhile that could be a heat issue. Is your alternator air cooling scoop and hose in place and in good shape?

The alternator will drop in efficiency if it gets too hot and the voltage regulator has a circuit to pull down voltage as ambient temperature rises so you don't cook the battery with overcharging.

Before you go monkeying around with the headlight linkage put some white paint marks on things so you know how to get back to where you started if everything goes to hell in a handbasket.

Rich Sandor

Yep, the Alt air scoop is in place, and it works okay, I believe it (the alt.) was replaced by the PO around 100,000miles.

I am certain the voltage problem comes mostly from corroded connections and a really old battery that has done a lot of sitting in the cold.

I've done a lot of monkeying with the headlight linkage, and I know how everything works, it's just a matter of getting everything lined up, as I think there may have actually been some damage to the linkage, and it may be offset a bit. not sure, it's basically a trial and error process in this case. Adjust linkage, test the rotation cycles. repeat. repeat. repeat. beer. repeat. etc etc.

althought I must admit, I didn't think of paint marks!! I've already had the whole headlight linkage assemebly removed and in pices when I took out my radiator, and it went back together real easy.

Thanks for being so helpful tho, Ice!
You're really doing a lot for the 944 community with your kits!!!

Probesport

Take out your voltage regulator assembly and check for wear, its a cheap & easy fix as well!

Jeff928S4

What is all this talk about drinking beers, eating banana's and monkeying around??

Where is Jack Hanna when you need him???

944S Boyeee