914-6 3.0 charging question...

[Mike Mulligan]

Hey guys, got a little problem. Hope someone has a few thoughts...

I've got a 914-6 with a '78 3.0 and the alternator light is coming on intermitantly (sp?).

When it is on it is fairly bright at idle, but gets dimmer as revs increase and goes out completely around 2000-2500 rpm. A DVM on the battery terminals shows no charge at all (12.3v) even though the alt light goes out.

When the light is out at idle charging is normal at 13.6v.

There seems to be no rhyme or reason to when the alt light decides to come on or go off. Almost acts like a loose connection.

Grounds are all new and good, new battery, new battery cables etc.. Haven't installed the new fan belt yet, but the old one still looks pretty good and seems tight enough (deflects about 3/4'' in the centre).

Do voltage regulators die intermitantly like this? Do alternaters? I have looked for loose connections etc. but haven't seen anything obvious.

Any ideas or thoughts appreciated!

[iamchappy]

How are you running the voltage regulator, do you have a internal one or are you using the relay board off the 914 4's voltage regulator, or both.

[Mike Mulligan]

I've got the one on the 4 relay board, not sure if there is an internal. I don't think so though. I'm pretty sure it's an early style alternator.

[iamchappy]

I thought the same thing about mine until I pulled it out. To my surprise I had the new internal regulated alternator, you might want to check, the engines are pretty old to still have the original style in it if was ever replaced. I have been double regulating without a problem, I am still using the 914 relay boards voltage regulator also. I talked to someone recently who was doing the same thing but was having some problems. I plan on pulling the relay boards regulator to see what happens, I may have to put some spades into the slots were the regulator was and attach the wiring harness connector there instead of the relay boards connector.