Weird Science

Neal Colingham · 07-28-1999, 07:11 AM

Here's one for all you budding EE majors. I just returned for Hawaii (12 days) and my new
battery was dead. I charged it overnight and went to work yesterday. I noticed the generator
light was on (dimly) and that the turn indicators did not work. I also noticed that when I put
on the brakes the tach and fuel level indicators would stop working. I have had a noise for the
past two weeks coming from the front of the engine that sounds like a whir. The generator
light has not been lit and everthing had worked fine. The emergency flashers work fine but
the brake lights and turn indicators dont. It looks like a short of some kind. I checked all the
the rear bulbs and diconnected the brake light switch but no change. I removed and cleaned
the ground strap but no change. I need to fix this ASAP so any ideas would be appreciated

John Rogers · 07-28-1999, 10:52 AM

I had the same thing occur after getting our 1974 914 painted and found that the 4th or 5th fuse from the right side of the fuse panel (forget which one) was missing, seems like the fellow doing the dash recovering hit it and knocked it out. After about as much panic as you have now, I found the fuse missing, put one in and all has been fine since. Bought one of those rare fuse covers too from PP so it wouldn't happen again! You might want to check the connections, etc, in that area too and make sure the fuse holder has good clean cotacts.

S Schroeder · 07-28-1999, 12:08 PM

I had a similar situation. The "whir" ended up being the bearings in the alternator. All sorts of strange electrical stuff was happening. Replaced the alternator and all was fine. Its not difficult, just time consuming. I have a step by step posted in the 914 club forum, and Dave D has one posted on the Pelican sight.
Scott

Neal Colingham · 07-28-1999, 04:09 PM

To John Rogers "You Da Man". It was the 6'th fuse from the right it had a hairline fracture. Replace and everthing worked.
I can't thank you enough.

John Rogers · 07-28-1999, 08:16 PM

Thank you, that's why PP is here I think. I would still check out the alternator to make sure there are no funny noises...