nhporsche87

Gentlemen,

Here is a little run down of electrical issues in my car, question is should i concentrate on changing out all the fuses along with the fuse box?? Of course not all of these would be that easy, and maybe none of them, just thinking the fuses could help.

1) None of the interior lights work.
2) Lights behind speedometer, odometer, etc are very dim.
3) No radio reception.
4) Only 2 speakers work with tape in stereo.
5) the most outer tail light on the left side does not work, changed bulb, no luck.
6) Fog lights don't work.
7) Lights in the middle console, a/c, heat, etc are very dim.

Trying to see what I have in store for me as I move forward making this baby sing as it should, runs very well, but a bunch of little things need fixing as you can see.

Dan

the flyin' scotsman

1) door switch/fuse/bulbs.............all
2) try cranking/cleaning the dimmer
3) antenna/ground.........both
4) speaker to radio/amp connections
5) ground
6) fuse/relay/bulbs..........all
7) see #2

Use a good contact cleaner...........take your time, you may be very surprised at the fixes.

FeedNfrenZ

Dan, what year, model, etc.?

vcompetello

The dim lights are controlled by the potentiometer under the pod on the left side of the steering wheel. I'd take a look at that first since it's simplest. As far as your interior lights, when I bought my 1980 euro none of the lights worked either. It turns out every single light had something wrong with it, not just one problem they all have in common like a fuse. Some needed cleaning some needed rewiring some needed new bulbs. None of them were huge issues though. The foglights are almost definitely a relay/fuse problem. Good luck

SharkSkin

Very good advice above. Make sure you have the correct value fuses in all positions. Remove & reinsert all fuses & relays, replacing blown/incorrect fuses as you go. Then see where you stand.

nhporsche87

Brent,

1987 928s4 95,000 miles.

This is one reason I am trying to find a Owners manual, didn't know where the potentiometer was. Any brand names for cleaners I should use and anywhere you guys can suggest getting a whole set of fuses from?

Malcom, you mention antenna.....WHERE THE HE** IS IT?? Must be in the wireing since there isn't one outside the car.....

whitefox

The antenna is located in the OEM windsheild, it is very possible that your window was replaced with a non OEM windsheild not containing the antenna.

jeff jackson

Go to Radio shack and ask for automotive contact cleaner..hell, you can get good products for this at Autozone, Advance Auto Pts...O'Reilly's...take your pick...(~$4 if I recall correctly).

nhporsche87

Ok, so if it is the windshield, I assume someone can point me somewhere on how to put on a shark style antenna, right above the hatch pointing back??

the flyin' scotsman

There is a kit you can buy............928 Int I think.............drill a hole in the roof.................run a longer antenna cable off the radio.

My car has the antenna in the windshield as I believe most do of the era..............the cable runs off the radio along the back of the glove box to the antenna wires.

nhporsche87

Thanks Malcolm, I will check it out and see if those connectors are just hanging....

Mark

This "Annual Electrical Maintenance" from Wally will likely solve MANY of your problems. It is a MUST DO for ALL sharksters!

Annual Electrical Maintenance
1) Open the hatch and remove the tool panel. Remove the carpet and spare tire cover. Remove the spare, tools, etc. Open the battery box.
2) Disconnect the ground cable from the chassis. Remove the negative battery terminal. Remove the positive battery terminal. Remove the battery. Use extreme caution to avoid getting battery acid or residue from the top of the battery or cables in your eyes. Goggles are recommended. If the battery brushes against your clothes, you can end up with holes.
3) Clean the battery terminals until they are bright and shiny. Dull gray won't do. If it is possible to check the fluid level in the battery, do so. Fill to the rings. Wash the battery. Put it on a charger if possible.
4) Clean the battery box, removing all corrosion. Wash the battery box. After it dries, touch up the finish as required.
5) Clean the battery cable terminals (all three) until the connection area is clean and shiny. Dull gray won't do. Clean the connection area on the chassis.
6) Clean the speedometer/odometer drive electrical connector in the right forward corner of the spare tire well (pre-'90 models).
7) Raise the hood (bonnet). Remove the protective cap from the jump start terminal and pull the protective plastic cover from the terminal. If you are missing the cover or the cap, replace them - they are critical items. If there is no cover, water will enter the connector and corrode the connectors and wires, causing serious electrical problems.
8) If the connections are clean and tight, replace the cover and cap. If the connections show any corrosion or looseness, disassemble, clean and reassemble.
9) Jack the right front of the car so that you can SAFELY work underneath.
10) Remove the ground cable that runs from the right side of the engine to the chassis. Clean both ends of the cable, and check for corrosion in the cable. Clean the connection points, and replace the cable.
11) Check the heavy cable connection on the starter solenoid for looseness or corrosion.
12) Check the moderately heavy wires on the same connection for corrosion and breaks inside the insulation. These carry the charging current from the alternator.
13) Check the small yellow wire connection for corrosion and tightness. This wire triggers the starter solenoid.
14) Lower the car. Fold back the carpet and open the central power panel cover.
15) Check the main power connections at the top of the panel for tightness and corrosion.
16) Check the ground connections above the panel for tightness and corrosion.
17) If you are having electrical problems, remove each fuse and reinsert three times. Check the fuses for the proper value, and examine them visually for damage or corrosion. Test them is desired. Later cars have a fuse tester built into one of the relays.
18) If you feel that it is necessary, remove and reinsert each relay. This won't be easy, as they fit very tightly in some cases. Porsche sells a relay removal tool, but I am not impressed. It is basically a pair of pliers with square jaws, and will pull the relay apart. One tool that works well is a spark plug boot removal tool. It is a thin but strong sheet metal tool shaped like a "J" with the top 1/8" bent over at a right angle. You can put this angle under the bottom edge of the relay and lift it out - IF the battery is disconnected!
19) Close the panel and replace the carpet.
20) Replace the battery. Install the positive cable. Install the negative cable. Put a drop of oil on each nut. Connect the chassis end of the ground (negative) cable. Lubricate the battery box latch and close the box.
21) Lubricate the wiper drive shaft and hatch latch mechanism.
22) Clean the spare tire, jack and tools. Put a couple of large heavy plastic garbage bags in the spare tire well for emergencies, along with a tube of hand cleaner and some paper towels. Install the cover and carpet.
23) Lubricate the jack, and put it inside the tool panel. Clean and lubricate the tools. Reinstall the tool and tool panel.
24) Reset the clock and radio presets.
A couple of hours of quality time with your 928 once a year can forestall many problems.
--------------------
Wally Plumley
928 Specialists
www.928gt.com

nhporsche87

That is really good stuff Mark, thank you, printed it out already

Mark

I only WISH I could take credit for it. It is from Wally Plumley with 928 Spec.

As a fairly 'newbie' here - you will find that there are certain people that REALLY know what they are talking about. Wally is at the TOP of that list!

1981 Shark

Well put, an excellent annual maintenance procedure.

It is amazing what a little cleaning of contacts and replacing of fuses can do. It also kind of lets you mark things off your list when troubleshooting, if you've already done it. Makes driving a lot more fun too!