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Join Date: Sep 2011
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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
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Old 05-25-2013, 02:48 PM
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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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Old 05-25-2013, 03:11 PM
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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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Old 05-25-2013, 03:19 PM
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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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Old 05-25-2013, 05:54 PM
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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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Old 05-26-2013, 11:03 AM
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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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Old 05-26-2013, 05:37 PM
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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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Old 05-27-2013, 06:53 AM
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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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Old 05-27-2013, 10:37 AM
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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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Old 05-27-2013, 10:41 AM
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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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Old 05-27-2013, 10:45 AM
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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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Old 05-27-2013, 11:19 AM
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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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Old 05-28-2013, 07:34 PM
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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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Old 05-28-2013, 07:36 PM
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Rats, I mean Mouse.
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Old 05-28-2013, 07:38 PM
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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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Old 05-30-2013, 04:46 PM
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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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Old 05-30-2013, 04:53 PM
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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
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Old 05-31-2013, 02:34 AM
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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
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Old 05-31-2013, 04:42 PM
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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
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Old 05-31-2013, 05:55 PM
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Love it when things work out.

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1974 sahara beige 911 targa
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1985 prussian blue metallic carrera
Old 06-01-2013, 02:57 AM
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