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Registered User
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Charging problem
Hey guys,
I have an 87 Targa, the battery is not being charged, replaced alternator, no change. Battery light does not come on at all, but it the battery does not get charged. Is this related to the light circuit or is something else going on? Starter wiring issues? Fan initially made light contact with shroud after alternator replacement, but resolved itself quickly, and this was not occurring before, would this have any affect? Dano
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Deke 83 911SC 83 930 87 Targa 86 944 |
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Registered
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Pull out the gauge and check the indicator bulb. If the bulb is burnt out the alternator wont charge.
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1974 sahara beige 911 targa 1982 chiffon 911sc 1985 prussian blue metallic carrera |
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registered woman user
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turn ignition switch halfway. should light. if not pull gauge and check bulb, if bulb is good, clean contacts to bulb. amazing i almost replaced my alternator due to a corroded spade connector at the alternator indictor light. good luck
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white 1986 3.2 targa 911 life is what happens while your busy making other plans ![]() |
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76 911S Targa
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,150
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Check all major connections between battery and alternator, especially grounds: battery to chassis and tranny to body under the car. The chassis ground and the ground strap from the body to the engine/transmission oxidize and pass less current with age. Clean the battery cable connections at the battery. I have had similar problems that cleared up with sanding the connections and reassembly. Your fan initially touching the housing should have no effect on charging.
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76 911S, 2.7, Bursch Thermal Reactor Replacements, Smog Pump Removed, Magnecors, Silicone Valve Cover Gaskets, 11 Blade Fan, Carrera Oil Cooler, Turbo Tie Rods. |
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Registered User
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System not charging
Firstly, I would to thank you guys for your input and assistance. Pulled the gauge and checked the bulb, it is good and connections are clean, the socket is not receiving power. Would a bad ground connection you mentioned cause this? Many thanks.
Dano
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Deke 83 911SC 83 930 87 Targa 86 944 |
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Member 911 Anonymous
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Check your battery connectors, my positive one was split half way causing a poor continuity, no charge. Replaced, no more issues.
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'85 Carrera Targa Factory Marble Grey/Black * Turbo Tail * 930 Steering Wheel* Sport Seats * 17" Fuchs (r) * 3.4 * 964 Cams * 915 * LSD * Factory SS * Turbo Tie Rods * Bilsteins * Euro Pre-Muff * SW Chip on 4K DME * NGK * Sienes GSK * Targa Body Brace PCA/POC |
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Registered User
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Did battery connections yesterday after pulling the gauge and checking the bulb, so far everything looks fine, so I go under the car today.
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Deke 83 911SC 83 930 87 Targa 86 944 |
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Registered User
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OK, have replaced alternator, checked bulb and connectors, have checked/cleaned battery terminals/leads, cleaned tran ground strap and cleaned starter connections, still no battery light, anything else?
As the old man would say, "I am out of airspeed and ideas" Dano
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Deke 83 911SC 83 930 87 Targa 86 944 |
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RETIRED
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The LIGHT is part of the charging system. If it doesn't come on prior to starting the engine it's likely the BULB is burnt or there is an issue with the wirining TO the bulb......the bulb has to light up...then got out when the engine is running at the proper rpms to charge the battery.
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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Registered
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How did you check for power at the bulb connection? You have to turn the key on then test. It initially get's the ground through the alternator then when it starts +12v is at the bulb so the light goes out. Check for both power and ground at the socket.
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1974 sahara beige 911 targa 1982 chiffon 911sc 1985 prussian blue metallic carrera |
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Registered User
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Kodi, I checked the bulb on the battery with an alligator clip, lit up fine, the checked the terminals with a simple light tester with the key on, not running, light should be on, but no power. With everything I have done (barring the odds that I replaced a bad alternator with another bad one), there has to be a bad ground somewhere in the circuit, but apparently not an obvious one. Guy I bought it from did some "creative" wiring for his after market sound system (DO NOT DO THIS, SECOND CAR I HAVE HAD WITH THIS BS, not that stock is great, but just enjoy the wonderful sound that is Porsche instead), and something has to have come loose (no blown fuses, has to be a ground). Keep y'all posted.
Dano
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Deke 83 911SC 83 930 87 Targa 86 944 |
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Detached Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: southern California
Posts: 26,964
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Just started my 84 to take it for a run, hasn't run in a few weeks due to business travel. The alt. light came on at ignition on and then stayed on when running. I put a Fluke meter across the battery terminals and got 11.9V, running and off. Battery was sort of drained so I put it on a charger. Ran fine two weeks ago. I can hear a sort of rumbling/clicking sound at the alternator, belt is tight. Had the alternator rebuilt about 5 y/o and not that many miles, may 8,000. I'll pull the gauge in the next few days if the charging of the battery doesn't fix it (which I doubt) to check the bulb spade connections (good tip, didn't know that). I'll check the connections at the battery, as well.
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Hugh |
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RETIRED
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Sounds like the alt is kaput, Herr Disney.....could be bearings due to the noise......but if it isn't charging.....
DO NOT get a REMAN, they suck. Find a local rebuilder.
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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Detached Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: southern California
Posts: 26,964
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Rats, I mean Mouse.
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Hugh |
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Registered User
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Charging Problem
OK, next I ran a ground wire to the socket to turn the bulb on and started engine for few seconds. Light stayed on, but then again I hard wired the ground from outside the circuit, would this make the light stay on although there may be nothing wrong with the alternator? Still possible just a bad ground?
Dano
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Deke 83 911SC 83 930 87 Targa 86 944 |
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Registered
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Get a new Valeo , You won't have any problems with it since its O.E. . Bosch remans of the Valeo/Paris Rhone alternators Stink.
Howard
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Howard Freeman 80 911 SC & 74 914 1.8 79 930 & 83 SC coupe,03 996 TT,02 996 C4 03 X/5 3.0. 370,186 miles now Sons daily driver 10 X5 3.0I 224,515 miles |
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Registered
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The regulator in the alternator is toast. If you read the previous post, the bulb gets it's ground through the alternator.
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1974 sahara beige 911 targa 1982 chiffon 911sc 1985 prussian blue metallic carrera |
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Registered User
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Charging Problem
Kodi et al, fixed! Y'all were on the right track, one of the brushes had been broken on install by the rebuilder. Many thanks again!
Bestens, Dano
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Deke 83 911SC 83 930 87 Targa 86 944 |
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Member 911 Anonymous
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Sweet, yeah my rebuilt one was not fixed correctly, lucky I checked before installation.
No go drive her ![]()
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'85 Carrera Targa Factory Marble Grey/Black * Turbo Tail * 930 Steering Wheel* Sport Seats * 17" Fuchs (r) * 3.4 * 964 Cams * 915 * LSD * Factory SS * Turbo Tie Rods * Bilsteins * Euro Pre-Muff * SW Chip on 4K DME * NGK * Sienes GSK * Targa Body Brace PCA/POC |
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Registered
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Love it when things work out.
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1974 sahara beige 911 targa 1982 chiffon 911sc 1985 prussian blue metallic carrera |
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