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> new problem: alternator on a 3.6 ...
SirAndy
post Jul 25 2007, 09:52 PM
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so the clutch finally works, got it all back together this afternoon, drive home went without a problem.

i pull in and park the car and come back 10 minutes later, start her up and the alternator light stays on ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

rev her up, no change. turn her off and back on, same thing.
i checked all the fuses, rotated them, no change.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)


now effin what? alternator on a 3.6 is internal. how do i check on it ???
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Andy
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drive-ability
post Jul 25 2007, 10:00 PM
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QUOTE(SirAndy @ Jul 25 2007, 08:52 PM) *

so the clutch finally works, got it all back together this afternoon, drive home went without a problem.

i pull in and park the car and come back 10 minutes later, start her up and the alternator light stays on ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

rev her up, no change. turn her off and back on, same thing.
i checked all the fuses, rotated them, no change.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)


now effin what? alternator on a 3.6 is internal. how do i check on it ???
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Andy


Andy,
You could start by checking the battery voltage to see if the charging system is exhibiting a problem.
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Dr. Roger
post Jul 25 2007, 10:12 PM
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this thread may help. the last few postings are the applicable ones.

http://www.dorkiphus.net/porsche/showthread.php?t=7536

sounds like the exact same thing.
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McMark
post Jul 25 2007, 10:22 PM
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Did you reconnect your ground cable? Just a random thought....

I'm inclined to think it has something to do with that new gauge, but I can't say what.
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SirAndy
post Jul 25 2007, 10:27 PM
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QUOTE(Dr. Roger @ Jul 25 2007, 08:12 PM) *

sounds like the exact same thing.


nope. see, it worked *fine* all the way home. if it was missing an external resistor or diode or whatever, i would have had that problem from the beginning.

i never touched the alternator. lights was off during my drive home.

it wasn't until i restarted the car, that it stayed on.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Andy
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SirAndy
post Jul 25 2007, 10:28 PM
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QUOTE(McMark @ Jul 25 2007, 08:22 PM) *

Did you reconnect your ground cable? Just a random thought....

I'm inclined to think it has something to do with that new gauge, but I can't say what.


yes, ground strap attached ...

i took the old gauge with me. thank god i didn't hack into the harness, switching them out will be easy ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif) Andy
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McMark
post Jul 25 2007, 10:30 PM
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QUOTE(SirAndy @ Jul 25 2007, 08:27 PM) *

it worked *fine* all the way home

I debated even posting that because I knew you would say that. But I just gots a feeling. When it's all over we'll see who's right and who's not. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
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PRS914-6
post Jul 26 2007, 01:00 AM
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Andy, it looks like you just installed new gauges. Yes? The alternator light MUST work since that circuit is what excites the alternator. So if the alternator light is not making a circuit, or the bulb is burnt out or not hooked up, that is your problem.

Good luck.....
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SirAndy
post Jul 26 2007, 01:28 AM
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QUOTE(PRS914-6 @ Jul 25 2007, 11:00 PM) *

So if the alternator light is not making a circuit, or the bulb is burnt out or not hooked up, that is your problem.


yes. i know. like i said, the light STAYS on. doesn't go out. meaning, the bulb works ...

see, lighty worky ...

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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Andy
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John
post Jul 26 2007, 10:50 AM
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You did check your belt(s)?
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McMark
post Jul 26 2007, 11:01 AM
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Did you check the battery voltage running and off to see if there is a difference?
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dakotaewing
post Jul 26 2007, 12:23 PM
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Another blury pic by the artist known as "SirAndy"....

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)
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SirAndy
post Jul 26 2007, 01:56 PM
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QUOTE(John @ Jul 26 2007, 08:50 AM) *

You did check your belt(s)?

belt(s) are fine ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


QUOTE(dakotaewing @ Jul 26 2007, 10:23 AM) *

Another blury pic by the artist know as "SirAndy".... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

hey, i've got a reputation to uphold ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif)


QUOTE(McMark @ Jul 26 2007, 09:01 AM) *

Did you check the battery voltage running and off to see if there is a difference?

here are the numbers, across the battery terminals:

• 12.61 V - ignition off
• 12.38 V - ignition on
• 12.06 V - idle
• 12.08 V - idle with gauge bulb disconnected, just for the giggles ...

clearly, it's *not* charging ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Andy
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McMark
post Jul 26 2007, 01:58 PM
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I don't remember, is the stock diode hooked up to anything?
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SirAndy
post Jul 26 2007, 02:03 PM
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QUOTE(McMark @ Jul 26 2007, 11:58 AM) *

I don't remember, is the stock diode hooked up to anything?


yes, stock diode is hooked up, but it's not for the alternator circuit. it's for the brake circuit.
it's used because the brake warning light has multiple functions (parking brake, master cylinder, seatbelt interlock and emergency flasher) ...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) Andy

PS: to clarify, there's a diode in the alternator circuit on early cars, but i have a '74 main harness ...
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MartyYeoman
post Jul 26 2007, 02:08 PM
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Can, or did, you check the voltage regulator?
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SirAndy
post Jul 26 2007, 02:09 PM
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QUOTE(Marty Yeoman @ Jul 26 2007, 12:08 PM) *

Can, or did, you check the voltage regulator?


i wouldn't know how, it's all internal ...
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SirAndy
post Jul 26 2007, 02:14 PM
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alright, i need some strong coffee. i'm gonna drive her up to starbucks (about a mile from my house) and see what happens ...

got my AAA card with me ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) Andy
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Dr. Roger
post Jul 26 2007, 03:00 PM
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My internally switched alternator has but one wire connected to it.

It is tickled by low voltage from the thick wire coming from the battery.

Does yours use 1 thick wire or are there 2 or more wires?

What model and year is your engine?
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SirAndy
post Jul 26 2007, 03:26 PM
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QUOTE(Dr. Roger @ Jul 26 2007, 01:00 PM) *

My internally switched alternator has but one wire connected to it.
It is tickled by low voltage from the thick wire coming from the battery.
Does yours use 1 thick wire or are there 2 or more wires?
What model and year is your engine?


i'll have to take the shroud off the motor to get a look.
there's no easy access to the alternator.

'95 993 3.6L motor ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Andy

PS: leaving for starbucks, be back in a minute ...
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