How do you tell when an '82 alternator is on its way out?
 

Is was driving my '82 930 the other night, and I thought that the lights got bright a couple times. I checked the belt, and it was a tad loose. So I tigntened it. A breif drive with EVERYTHING on and I saw no power fluctuations.

I just read in a Motorbooks Porsche buyers guide that this car has a 1,050 watt alternator. Appearently, some of these alternators like to overcharge the battery and burn out other stuff.

How do you check if its overcharging?

Thanks

Karl

start the car, let it idle, measure the voltage. Usually it's around 14+ volts. If it's 15v or more, it's over charging. I don't remember the exact number but around there.

Had similar symptoms when mine went out. Used a voltmeter to monitor the voltage and it would occasionally spike to 15v. Had the alternator replaced.

You can also get a cheap voltage monitor that plugs into the cigarette lighter - that's what I use now.

13.9 volts.

Geuss it was the loose belt.

Thanks!