Electrical Hell, 914 a Handbasket? Options

[Matt Meyer]

I was hoping to get pictures and politely introduce myself but it looks like I'll have to dive right in.....

I drove the 914 for about 15 minutes, lights on. After sitting for a couple of minutes the car won't start. I was not even getting the "selenoid click". It finally starts after sitting for about 30 mins. The headlights were nice and bright even when it would not start. I drive it home, turn it off, won't turnover again. Hook up battery charger and it says fully charged (processor controlled). Assumed it was the starter. Searched this site.

Next morning wont turn over. I put it in gear rock it back and forth? Starts right up. But now the alternator light comes on, it did not the night before. Grab 10 dollar battery monitor from bon marche. Start car, alternator light is still on, and also no tachometer, no turn signals, but I have flashers, fuel gauge is intermittent; empty, 1/4, 1/2 (1/2 is correct I think). Oil light is off, but PO installed guage and oil light is never off (not connected). All of this was working OK the night before.

Through the cig. lighter plug in the car, battery monitor reads 13.4 volts pretty steady. With lights on there is a steady drop in voltage. Tightened battery connections (ground loose) and battery monitor reads 14.2 volts with no lights and 13.4 with lights on when not warmed up. Tach, alternator light, turnsignal, fuel guage and oil light are still a bust.

Is the starting problem fixed? Could the dash problem be related to the starting problem? More ground problems?