Ed Burdell

Well, that's what happened to my own little rocket ship in the middle of the highway today, just before it sputtered to a stop. First the anti-lock, then the battery, then the air bag, and then the transmission. A/C fan quit, then the windows wouldn't roll up or down. Finally, the damn thing died altogether. I suspect the alternator. I just replaced the battery two weeks ago.

I swapped out the DME relay and it started up, but the trouble lights were still on, so I cut it off and had it flatbedded to Alan at German Car Repair in Roswell. The plus side is I got to meet Alan and Jerry in their shop - super nice guys.

Arena993

Hopefully the alternator will fix the issue. This never happens at a good time.

Mike

IXLR8

If that is the case, now you know why I installed a voltmeter...advance warning.

600RR

Alex: Can you elaborate? Or should I do a search?

IXLR8

Luckily I had just installed a new battery weeks before my alternator belt failed some 110 miles from home. With a battery Reserve Capacity of 120 minutes, I started my stopwatch and made a dash for home.

I would have liked to have known what my battery voltage was as the time ticked away. I installed a voltmeter shortly thereafter. I also have one on my BMW R1150 GS Adventure. They are handy for telling you of the first hint of alternator or battery problems.

95C4VanIsle

I had the "Christmas lights" appear on my dash a couple of years ago. I had enough juice to get it home. Sure enough, it was the alternator. Had a rebuilt alternator installed and has been fine since.

Ed Burdell

When your alternator failed, did it take any other electrical components with it?

TMc993

It's in good hands.

Ed Burdell

I dropped yours and Sergio's names. Alan says hey.

95C4VanIsle

No, all was fine thankfully. If I had have to have had the car flatbedded it would have been 100 Km to nearest guy I would trust.

csertich

Ed-I was at the Porsche Palooza last year on a Saturday morning spirited drive. Roads were clear. I was shifting out of third at red line when my dash lit up like a Christmas tree. Accompanied by a loud sound from the engine compartment. Alternator belt. I pulled over and looked at the lights and it struck me what might have happened. Had a spare belt and BillW (Bill Wright) and David Bailey went to work on my car like a Nascar in the pits! Thank goodness for the spare belt and great friends!.
It was a good bulb check. They were ALL on. .
I plan to use other methods of checking the bulbs operational capabilities in the future.
chuck

1pcarnut

Might want to add a caveat about driving if you think your alternator has quit. If it's the belt you've not just lost your charging system, you've lost your cooling as well.

IXLR8

Not unless they've gone to the single belt, single pulley system.

My 993 has an alternator belt, a cooling fan belt and an A/C belt.

If the cooling fan belt goes, then a warning light will tell you so.

Gunter

+1

Last year alternator belt frazzled itself kaput, all lights went on suddenly.

Pulled over, opened the lid, confirmed it was the belt.

I had a spare belt but then discovered that Porsche doesn't include the 24 mm wrench or the necessary 10 mm triple-square Allen. Bummer.

Everybody, make sure you have the belts and necessary tools. !!

And I copied Alex by installing a Volt meter.

Ed Burdell

...'Twas the belt after all. From its debris found in the engine compartment, it looks as if it shredded itself bit by bit, hence the (relatively) gradual onset of the warning lights. I already have the car back. All is well, save the wallet...went ahead and did a few other things while the car was at Alan's.