First breakdown. Gutted. Please Help!

[M0nster]

Justin thanks yes I will certainly check this - cheers. Any other bits I should be checking also before replacing stuff? Can you easily test if an alternator is broken and needs replacing? Hopefully my mechanic will check these things - but let me know anything you think he should check and I'll give him a list

Can anyone point me to the right part for the alternator on pelican? Thanks

[M0nster]

Thanks Rot911 that's a load off my mind!

[Justin@Athens]

One thing you can do and want to check is the charging voltage while in the car. Use a $10 voltmeter from Autozone to check that your battery is reading 12v while the car is off. Anything less then 12v will not start the car, and is considered bad. Now start the car and do the same test--you should be getting at between 13-15v with the car running at 3k rpm. If you do not appear to be getting a good charge, it could be an intermittent problem, or it could be that something has failed entirely. The alternator can be removed from your car and bench tested at Autozone. You can also have them rebuilt at certain truck shops and such. Pelican will want your unit in exchange for a rebuilt unit--just give them a call and tell them your model year and they will make sure you get the correct part.

[ivangene]

guessing there are no Autozone's in Ireland

[Justin@Athens]

Originally Posted by ivangene

guessing there are no Autozone's in Ireland

i'm sure there is some equivalent

[ivangene]

was just joking....

so Colin.....you are running in two directions...one is getting the car to the mechanic, the other is find/buy parts on Pelican...slow it up, I know its frustrating and you need your car but choose a path....

work on it yourself requires time, tools manuals and beer...

take to mechanic requires time, money and beer...

If your guy is a couple miles away, run it over and have him look at it. He will do exactly the same things we are telling you here...test battery, test charging system with some sort of meter. If he diagnosis it for you, you can always opt to change parts yourself... so the trip is still worth while. Dont buy parts till you know what is wrong, an alternator is a spendy part to buy and might be you just need a VR....

As stated you can sorce those pretty cheap but I would advise to buy a good one if you end up in that boat. Cheap ones tend to leave you stranded at some point

[M0nster]

Thanks Ed you are absolutely right. I'm really not great with mechanics so I'd prefer to get an expert to do it rather than potentially mess it up myself. It's going in tomorrow so I'll let you guys know how I get on.

Thanks again for all your help!

[jpnovak]

FYI, this is a C3.0 No DME to worry about. Forget anything anyone posted regarding damage of the DME.

Do you have a multi-meter for measuring voltage?

You can easily measure the battery voltage with the car off and then again with the car on to see if the alternator is charging.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by M0nster

If i use the choke to keep the revs above 2000 will it be ok or is it likely to die?

You don't have a choke, by the way. That's a hand throttle, which allows you to idel the engine at a higher speed while warming it up, without having to keep your foot on the throttle pedal. I wouldn't drive the car with the lever up. Just use your foot...

JR

[M0nster]

Thanks Javadog, ahh ok - mine often idles quite high for the first few mins etc, can bounce around a little but I'm sure thats normal. Anyway at least if I'm at traffic lights etc I can set the idle higher so she won't cut out on me.

So today I charged the battery again which only took a short while to get full. I got one of these alternator and voltage testers and tested it. When the battery was out it read fully charged 12.6v. When I put the battery in, it read 12.0v - half charged. When the engine was running it should show 13.2v "Charging ok" but it read the same Half Charged with the Fully charged light flickering. So it's fairly clear my alternator is busted.

I'm told they are pretty dam expensive - up to €250, but maybe thats just in ireland. How do I know what part etc to search for - I have no idea where to start looking!

[at7driver]

Hey, you have confirmed the belt is still on??? If the belt is slipping or off, no charge and more importamtly no air cooling for your engine.

[M0nster]

My mechanic just text me to say it was the voltage regulator. Phew! Small part and cheap to replace. Good news! Getting a few other little things fixed also, can't wait to have her back for the weekend!

Next up is Ed's coupler which arrived in the post this morning! Can't wait to get that fitted and see the difference it makes!

[diverdan]

Sounds like a charging problem, but don't overlook the health of the battery.

[Bear911]

That's good news. Sounds like Bruce was on the money as usual!

[lonewolf]

I have the correct voltage regulator if you need one

Bruce

[s_morrison57]

MOnster, Glad you have things working again, its a real bummer to get your dream car and then have trouble right away, same thing happened to me with my 930, my failed part shut off the fuel pumps on over rev, I wasn't over reving it, I have a little bit of mechanical skills but had no clue where to look. it was a few months later that I found this place.
Hats off to all the Pelicans that lent some advise to a new owner/member, its you guys that make this such a great place.
Hard to believe that M0nster is the only Irish member.
Good luck with the new car and send us a pic or 2 and the story on how you found your car.
Finn

[M0nster]

Yes thanks so much to all the pelican's for all their helpful advice for newbies like me! Hopefully I'll have her back this weekend and I'll let you know how I get on!

[M0nster]

Oh also guys, would anyone have any advice on how I can fix this problem?
Speedo and Odometer stopped working on my '77 911
Thanks!!

[Porchcar guy]

North Hollywood Speedometer will test and refurbish !

[M0nster]

Thanks! Unfortunately I'm in Ireland lol - so a little far away . I'm just wondering how you might test for what has gone wrong and try to fix it?