Alternator Earth

[OZCarrera3]

Hi Guys,

I've committed the ultimate sin (and have now learned my lesson)! I did not follow the directions of the 101 Projects and Engine Rebuilding books suggestion to take a photo of the alternator wiring prior to removing them. I did however do a diagram, but conveniently forgot to note where the earth strap attaches to the Alternator. Can anyone give me a photograph of theirs or advise which wring post it should be attached to?

Thanks in advance

[T1R1]

"earth" I assume you are talking about the ground stap can be attached to any of the housing studs show in the picture below.

[sammyg2]

There are two seperate "earths on my dizzy, both are connected to D-.
One (the larger one) is attached to a stud on top of the crank case under the shroud.
the other is actually two brown wires with a common connector, they go through the wiring harness to somewhere, not quite sure.

[OZCarrera3]

Thanks guys.

Ted, could I just confirm that the ground strap in your photo is the thick red wire on the top left hand stud (Mine is a braided flat strap).

Therefore you are saying that it can be attached to any of the 3 studs on the back of the alternator, but not any of the 6 studs on the fan housing?

SammyG2, my ground strap is a single flat braided wire strap. I have attached one end to a case bolt and the other is currently connected to one of the 6 fan housing studs (which I undestand from what Ted has said is wrong). Please also note that I have had my fan housing powder coated, which is why I thought it was not grounding properly at first.

[T1R1]

NO! NO! attach to one of outer studs! and the other end to one of the case bolts. Sorry if I confused you. The Red wire is hot and if you attach the ground to it you'll have a light show!!

[T1R1]

PS. The ground strap is not shown in the photo.

[OZCarrera3]

Phew! Thanks Ted.

Ok, so I have attached it to the correct point then (outer housing stud), but the alternator light is permanently on. Could it be that the powder coating is affecting/inhibiting the contact?

[Bob Goding]

Saw this on e-bay the other day and thought it might be a good thing for the Porsche.Cheap enough, I thought.

[T1R1]

The light should be on after you start your car then go out after you get your car above a certian RPM (3000 or so). Does your light go out after you drive your car?

[OZCarrera3]

Ted, I went and had another look at the connectors etc, disconnnected and reconnected them. The alternator light now goes off a second or two after the car has started. Must have been a loose connection or similar. The ground strap is connected as you suggested, so looks like that was not the issue at all.

Thanks for your help though, it was much appreciated.

[Randy Webb]

you might spray the connections with Wurth contact oil and make sure they are all tight