pontifex4

Or how about a detailed explanation of how to clean the bell housing grounds? I've read all the threads, and my meager mechanical skill still can't get me in close enough to plug the hole and reach the connections!

running_cold924

luckily I did clean that ground when the intake was off earlier this year. But will be adding another engine to battery ground for insurance.

pudges951

running_cold924.. I checked my bellhousing grounds and they were just cleaned by the previous owner so I have another ground that is causing some issues I suppose. Although the other day I had her out and she ran near perfect boosting hard again so that has me a little confused, gotta love the testy old Porsche's...

running_cold924

mine is the same way....just runs too rich at night with the lights being on..just crazy though. adding some more grounds tonite and cleaning the existing ones.

Anyone know where the dme and klr ground points are? thinking these would be a good one to start with.

ehall

Clarks-garage has a diagram, I believe. If not PET does.

968 GUY

I'm sure most of the guys here know this, but some may not. Even after cleaning the grounding areas, I would put (I call it) a star washer between the strap and block; bellhousing,etc. I know it cuts into the metal and even when painted over gives a point of ground. Used to have to use these on a lot of military vehicles.
Ken

ehall

I believe I know what you're talking about, but if you get a moment, can you post a pic of one. That's a very good idea.

running_cold924

yes, its like a lock washer that sort of cuts a grove into the metal where it is being fastened to prevent it from coming off, i know exactly what you mean. thanks for the good pointer!

ehall

anyone have a good source for them?

968 GUY

Sorry, dont have pics, but the serrated part can be on the inside or outside of the washer to grip and cut into the metal. Try looking at the electrical section of a hardware store, or an electronics store. I know they are on the starter of my 69 Camaro, and I believe on some of the smaller grounding straps on that car.
Ken

running_cold924

all I have to say is wow...

first i cleaned all the grounds I could. I did both headlight grounds, rear lights, under driver's side dash, battery ground to firewall, battery posts, and maf ground (again for safety sake).

I then added two grounds: one ground from the firewall ground (same as battery ground) to one of the intake manifold bolts and one from the power steering rack(crossmember) to the side of the engine where a small metal plate helps hold the oil pan gasket in.

NOW, I get 14.2 afr at idle, 14.0-15.0 afr while at a cruise, 12.0-12.5 half throttle, and 11.1-11.8 WOT

Like I said...WOW. It runs like never before and stays the same even with the lights on, blower motor on, and rear defroster on!!!!! AMAZING! I even managed to scare some deer when the recirculating valve chimed in at a 2nd to 3rd shift! i don't think the guy that was pulled over watching the deer through his binoculars appreciated it.....but....I did!

Chris Prack

With the 10 thousand threads on here about ground issues it still amazes me that people don't know to look for this problem with EVERY Porsche ever made. They all suffer from ground issues yet get missed on a daily basis.

I posted on here how to measure voltage drop a couple of years ago. If you own a Porsche you need to know how to do this. It is a requirement.

running_cold924

my car had zero problems with grounds when running the stock afm, but until I went Vitesse, THEN the grounding issues became obvious. not too bad for a 24 year old car with 24 year old (non messed with) grounds.

but if it was a 10 year old VW, you'd already be messing with the grounds

pudges951

glad to hear your car is running better... I haven't had a chance to work on mine at all lately because of work, hoping to get to it this weekend or next.