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> red alternator light, just came on while driving
GreatPumpkin
post Aug 26 2011, 10:26 PM
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while driving all of a sudden the red alternator light came on and stayed on until i got to my destination. i let the car sit for a few minutes, then i turned it back on an the alternator light was still on. in the operating manual it says something about a "loose or broken v-belt". or it could be a defective alternator. ive never had any problems with this until now and im a little nervous to keep driving it with the light on. does anyone know where is the "v-belt" located and how do i check to see if it is loose or broken? could it just be that the alternator has gone bad? could it be anything else causing the light to be on? Again i was driving the car with the light on butonly for a short distance, and it seemed to be running fine, the only problem was the light was on. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)
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rnellums
post Aug 26 2011, 10:28 PM
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pop the engine lid and feel down near the intake impeller at the front of the engine, there should be a belt running from the impeller to the generator there.
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rnellums
post Aug 26 2011, 10:29 PM
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BTW, I drove my 914 for 600 miles without the generator by carrying a backup battery, only driving during daylight and charging batteries at night.
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Kirmizi
post Aug 26 2011, 10:38 PM
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Also check to make sure none of your fuses have come loose.
Mike
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GreatPumpkin
post Aug 26 2011, 10:39 PM
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ok so i checked the belt and it has lots of tension and seems to be running on the track it is supposed to be on . is it common for these belts to come loose?
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yeahmag
post Aug 26 2011, 10:41 PM
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http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...lternator++test
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GreatPumpkin
post Aug 26 2011, 11:02 PM
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i checked all of the fuses under the steering wheel and the two inside the engine compartment and they are all good. i also checked the v - belt with a hand mirror to make sure it is running properly which it is. i dont know why the light is on. when i turn the key to the on position without starting the car all of the warning lights come on like normal i just dont understand why the light is on. i turned the car on and it started right up but the light is still on. does this mean the car is running off the battery? if it is will the car just die driving on my way to work tomorrow?
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SirAndy
post Aug 26 2011, 11:08 PM
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QUOTE(GreatPumpkin @ Aug 26 2011, 10:02 PM) *
does this mean the car is running off the battery?

Yes. You really shouldn't be driving the car until this is fixed. Alternators do go bad.

Check the wires and plugs on your relay board and make sure nothing came lose. There's a 3-prong plug that goes from the relay board to the alternator.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
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Porscheman912
post Aug 27 2011, 12:03 AM
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The big thing, is to start the car, and check the battery with a volt meter. See if it is putting out just over 14 volts. If it does not at idle, rev it up a little, to see if it is charging. The other thing, is to look by the Alt to see if any of the wires have rubbed through something.
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76-914
post Aug 27 2011, 02:13 AM
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You never had a problem with it before? How long have you owned it? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Check volt at bat when running then read this............
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=117551
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edwin
post Aug 27 2011, 06:03 AM
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Might be worth checking the regulator. I had to replace mine on Tuesday for a similar reason. I just used a universal Bosch re55. All good now
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rnellums
post Aug 27 2011, 06:46 AM
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Once you figure it out I have a regulator I don't need anymore that I'll give you for cheap. I also have an old alternator.

-Ross
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rnellums
post Aug 27 2011, 06:46 AM
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Once you figure it out I have a regulator I don't need anymore that I'll give you for cheap. I also have an old alternator.

-Ross
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Drums66
post Aug 27 2011, 11:36 AM
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.....Give a good visual inspection !st (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)
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underthetire
post Aug 27 2011, 11:43 AM
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See if you can borrow a regulator to try. Takes 5 minutes to swap them. I bought a cheap at autozone for less than 30 bucks when mine failed on a nice weekend. Was a temporary replacement a year ago, and it's still working.
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John
post Aug 27 2011, 04:43 PM
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Have you been able to try a different voltage regulator?
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70 914
post Aug 28 2011, 11:23 PM
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the red lite in my 914 is the OIL lite !
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VaccaRabite
post Aug 29 2011, 07:09 AM
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QUOTE(70 914 @ Aug 29 2011, 12:23 AM) *

the red lite in my 914 is the OIL lite !

Your oil light should be green, on the right hand side of the gauge. Alternator light is red, on the left hand side.

Unless someone changed the lenses.

Zach
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mburkhart
post Aug 29 2011, 12:35 PM
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QUOTE(Vacca Rabite @ Aug 29 2011, 05:09 AM) *

Your oil light should be green, on the right hand side of the gauge. Alternator light is red, on the left hand side.


Actually, the oil light can be on the left or right side on pre-73 gauges. The alternator light is always red and the oil light is green.

http://www.p914.com/p914_gauges_fuel-comp_early.htm
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Ductech
post Aug 31 2011, 01:00 PM
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I always thought it was kinda funny that the oil pressure light is green. Whats "green is go" about losing oil pressure. whereas your not gonna crap your metaphorical pants if your alternator quits charging
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