Hey everyone, working the 9 - midnight shift at work tonight (in a computer lab at the grand University of Cali, Santa Cruz), so I thought I'd kill some spare time and ask about some (big and small) problems I've been having with my 85.5 944. Just an aside, I'm not the most prolific person when it comes to cars, but I know their basic workings. My apologies in advance if I bother you all to explain things over a few times.
Here we go:
1) Okay, this started yesterday. It's been raining a lot, and something may be shorting, but I stopped at the gas station to fill up my tank and everything was fine. When I started the car up again the battery charge light came on and the needle for the charging gauge was sitting near the bottom. However, when I would start driving again, the RPMs would get going and the needle would return to its usual position. As soon as I slowed and let the RPMs drop, the needle would drop again. And it's still doing it today. Any ideas?
2) This has been going on for a little bit, but when I try to shift into 2nd from 1st there's a grinding sound. If I let the RPMs drop before shifting it doesn't happen, or if I let the stick return to the center, neutral position and then shift into 2nd it doesn't happen. Also, it does not happen when shifting from 3rd to 2nd. Only on the way up. From what I've been reading up here, it sounds like it might be an issue with a synchro ring. Is this a resonable assessment? In the meantime, I take it real easy on the shifting, as I'm sure the sound of grinding means the sound of money dissapearing from my besieged bank account.
3) When I put on the turn signal, the headlights turn off. Not always, but basically if I wiggle the turn light lever, they'll flicker.
4) When I'm driving fast (which is as often as I get a chance) anytime I get over 65mph I hear a whistling sound. I've tracked it down to the sunroof, and it looks like it's not seating completely flush with the roof of the car. It seems like the seal on the sunroof sticks out a bit and keeps it from going all the way level with the body of the car. Fortunately, it's not leaking, but I don't want to wait till it does.
Okay, I think that's all. Not much right? Basically, are these things I can attempt myself, or should I find a mechanic? Like I mentioned, I can handle working on things, it's pretty much just a lack of info that holds me back. And yes, I already have a Haynes manual, so feel free to refer me to it. Sorry this post is so long, I don't have much else to do right now, and I usually read this board when I'm at work, so my thanks go out to all of you for keeping me entertained/educated while I should be working.
With any luck, I might be a shade tree mechanic one of these days.
-Steve