996Fever

Yeah, that's my plan. Since the starter is hooked back up, I'll unhook everything past the alternator and see what happens. My guess is it's the alternator, but we'll see. And yes, I have both terminals removed and plastic safety caps on the battery while I futz with it.
Randy

GregBBRD

Did you check to see if the battery had switched polarity?
(Which makes sense from your first post.....#2 on your list)

If it was, the alternator will be toast.

996Fever

No, I did not. I just purchased a new battery since the other one was quite swelled, even while holding a charge. Didn't seem to be smart even using it again for what a battery costs. But I have been charging batteries since 1972 and am sure I hooked up the charger correctly. Not hard to tell the diff between + and -, especially when you have red and green felts on it. I'm gonna do the alternator test tomorrow if I get home with time.

GregBBRD

It will be interesting to see what is causing your short. Could be a badly deteriorated 14 pin harness, shorting to ground. Or some other problem.

One of the Boxsters that was passed down to me to trace the issue, also had a charger hooked up to it, correctly....100% certain.

A bad diode is not an uncommon thing, in an old alternator. Multiple "smoked" diodes allowing a huge short to ground...only comes from one thing....

Shark2626

10V will not start your car, and any battery that falls from 12V to 10V overnight is a bad battery. It should measure about 12.5V resting and hold that charge for certainly weeks if not months without any issue. You were definitely due for a new battery.

996Fever

Sorry, for the delay. I was in Hawaii for a month and had no time to deal with the car. I found the short. The clip holding the ABS wire up came loose and the cable was riding on the PS pump pulley.

Mrmerlin

Boom Chicka !
saved from a smokey meltdown.
I would cut out the wire where its damaged ,
resolder it with a metal collar, and heat shrink it with marine grade heat shrink.

Then add Heatshrink to the rest of the wire.

Then run the ABS wire across the front timing cover and clip it in, there is a small hole for this you need the proper clip

then to the fender well and under the ABS unit and along the ABS lines till it comes out the front side,
bend it till it reaches the connection point.
Im glad you didnt have a meltdown and asked some questions first.

While your at it get the heat shrink and also add another layer to the Hot post red wire,
slide the heat shrink into the loom covering.

996Fever

Yep. Thanks for the support. I'm a retired Union electrician, so it's already got a clean, trimmed end on what was left. I will run a new, safe cable from what's left up to the ABS post. Hopefully none of the electronics took too bad of a hit during the dead short. Longest part of the job will be putting the Alternator back in. Took me almost a 1/2 hour to get it out.