Is my car possessed? Whats going on here?

[jvrrdrgz5]

Here is my story,

I have a 1980 911 SC. Every so often when driving at normal speeds on the highway or on the street the tachometer goes berserk, it jumps up and down, but the engine does not increase in revs; after awhile, it goes back to normal.

Also:

Sometimes, when I come to a stop, the oil level gauge drops to the red and the oil pressure comes down between two and zero...also the alternator light flickers on and off and the engine sounds like its going to cut out...and at times it does!

Whats the deal here, can any one help me understand what happening and how to fix this? is this expensive?

PLEASE HELP!!!

Mind you, I am a newbie in working on Porsches, but I am willing to attack the problem myself, if it is easy enough to do.

[kidrock]

very common symptoms of a voltage regulator about to take a dump. run a diagnostic on it to confirm first. If it is the VR, it will need replacing immediately or your alternator and battery will take a hit as well.

[relayswitcher]

I agree with the KID, but I was almost going to assume someone has placed some AUDI wiring in your car somehow.....AUDI wiring is notorious for being haunted.....
Boo.....

[moneymanager]

The oil pressure always drops down near zero when the car is idling. The pressure varies with engine speed.
Same with the alternator...near idle the light will often be on because the battery isn't charging with the generator turning so slowly.
And it is barely possible that the engine oil level gauge, which is always (and only) to be read on level ground with the engine idling (and means nothing at all when you are driving along) is telling you that you need oil.
As to your tach, it may well be that your car is possessed.

[m110]

I once shared a van to the airport from the Dallas bus station to DFW at 4am on a Wednesday with a well dressed gentleman who sat in the back. I made small talk and he told me he had come from Chicago to perform a deliverance. After further questioning I found out that he had done an exorcism. I noted that I had an Audi quattro that was possessed--maybe he could help me. He wasn't impressed. I sold the car.

[brads911sc]

Originally Posted by m110

i once shared a van to the airport from the dallas bus station to dfw at 4am on a wednesday with a well dressed gentleman who sat in the back. I made small talk and he told me he had come from chicago to perform a deliverance. After further questioning i found out that he had done an exorcism. I noted that i had an audi quattro that was possessed--maybe he could help me. He wasn't impressed. I sold the car.

lol

[Richard Burns]

The oil pressure dropping to just above zero to two is normal at idle on an SC. the flickering alternator light could just be that your idle speed is too low it should be about 950 RPM. you say that you are new to Porsches so the oil level gauge is going to worry you. To stop the worry check your oil level after each drive when your car is at operating temperature. That is do not switch the car off let it idle on level ground while you check the level with the dipstick.
Richard.

[Joe Bob]

Don't rule out the alternator.....

[Walt Fricke]

Tach berserk not normal 911 quirk.

Voltage too low will do this, though.

Listen to Mikez and the Kid.

Walt

[Trevahh]

Don't overlook the possibility that it may be a simple ground issue... the MAIN ground wire tends to deteriorate and cause intermittent issues, not unlike the ones you are experiencing. I had the same issue a long time back with an SC and replacing the ground, solved all sorts of electrical issues. Easy, cheap fix, you can do yourself.
... just a thought...

[haycait911]

sometimes I think the ground is ALWAYS the problem, with anything electrical. at least it seems to fix things a large majority of the time.