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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1,635
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Strange Electrical Loss When Cold
Normally I do not drive the P-Car when it is cold out. The weather has been all over the place here. 60 degrees one day then 30 degrees the next.
I am finding that at night only, and only when it is cold out, 40 degrees or less, that I get a real minor belt squeal. I am assuming it is the alt/ac belt. I can drive the car all day long with no problems at all. At night and in the cold I get the very minor squeal and it seems like I get no juice at all from the alt. I have not had a chance to dig in there and really check it out. Any idea why I would have such a problem only when it is cold? I would assume this type of a problem to be prevalent all the time. Is it possible that the Alt is shot? Is it possible that the Alt can actually freeze? I have never had a problem like this with this car or any car in the past. It's like the alt is not even hooked up and all the power for the car is running off the battery. Thanks for any info.
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John '87 944 N/A (first Porsche) '95 E-350 Diesel '03 S-Type Jag 3.0 '03 Taurus SES '06 Eddie Bauer Explorer RIP SoCal |
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11-08-2009, 06:34 AM
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Automotive Necromancer
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Beantown, MA
Posts: 1,544
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Belt?
Is the belt old? glazed? Dirty? Properly tensioned? Is the pulley clean?
Old belts complain in cold weather. Just like the rest of us.
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There may be nothing quite as expensive as a cheap Porsche: Ruby Red 84 928S : White 87 924s 2.5L NA (Blinky) M44/07-43H10676 spoiler delete - 046/2B - Belts 9/12, Clutch and OC seals 8/08 andd Red 94 Del Sol: Please put your Make, Model and Year in Sig. Try not to break more than you fix. |
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11-08-2009, 06:54 AM
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But would this this an absolute total loss of any electrical power from the alt?
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John '87 944 N/A (first Porsche) '95 E-350 Diesel '03 S-Type Jag 3.0 '03 Taurus SES '06 Eddie Bauer Explorer RIP SoCal |
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11-08-2009, 06:56 AM
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Automotive Necromancer
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Beantown, MA
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total loss
Oh, a total loss. No, not likely. more likely a bad connection at the battery, grounds, or alternator. Or even an alternator that hates the cold. Have you gone over the connections and or tested the voltage when the condition presents? Could be a diode in the pack going bad.
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There may be nothing quite as expensive as a cheap Porsche: Ruby Red 84 928S : White 87 924s 2.5L NA (Blinky) M44/07-43H10676 spoiler delete - 046/2B - Belts 9/12, Clutch and OC seals 8/08 andd Red 94 Del Sol: Please put your Make, Model and Year in Sig. Try not to break more than you fix. |
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11-08-2009, 07:04 AM
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I have not done anything yet. I was just wondering if there were known problems. I did forget to add that when I do have this problem and open the hood I get a strong smell of burnt rubber. I am guessing it to be the belt. Is it possible that in the colder weather the alt or the ac pulley freezes right up?
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John '87 944 N/A (first Porsche) '95 E-350 Diesel '03 S-Type Jag 3.0 '03 Taurus SES '06 Eddie Bauer Explorer RIP SoCal |
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11-08-2009, 07:09 AM
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Automotive Necromancer
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Beantown, MA
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possibilities
I have worked on so may cars I can tell you anything is possible...
Yes, the AC pump and clutch can freeze, causing the belt to stop and the crank pulley just keeps turning. As the Alt is not turning (or not turning well) the charging is deficient. Take ff the belt and have a good look see as to glazing on the pulleys and check that everything turns freely. You might want to check if the AC clutch is engaged with the ignition on (constant AC). Check the alt and AC connections, and of course the battery and grounds (can't hurt) Think about replacing the belt while it is off unless it looks REALLY good. Hit the turnbuckles with Penetrating oil before you begin and consider rebuilding the turnbuckles as it is not a question of IF they need rebuilding, but when. The burning rubber smell means something is slipping, just a question of what and why.
__________________
There may be nothing quite as expensive as a cheap Porsche: Ruby Red 84 928S : White 87 924s 2.5L NA (Blinky) M44/07-43H10676 spoiler delete - 046/2B - Belts 9/12, Clutch and OC seals 8/08 andd Red 94 Del Sol: Please put your Make, Model and Year in Sig. Try not to break more than you fix. |
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11-08-2009, 07:52 AM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Ya, Take that baby off and see what all spins... I'd be suspicious of the AC clutch...
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11-08-2009, 09:17 AM
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I will try to get to this tomorrow. Thanks for the info. I am suspious of the ac freezing. If it is freezing, what can I do besides a new one.
 The ac does not work in the car. Could I get another belt and bypass the ac altogether? If so, any idea on the length I would need?
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John '87 944 N/A (first Porsche) '95 E-350 Diesel '03 S-Type Jag 3.0 '03 Taurus SES '06 Eddie Bauer Explorer RIP SoCal |
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11-08-2009, 11:54 AM
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Automotive Necromancer
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Beantown, MA
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AC bypass no go
The AC compressor pulley is used to tension the belt. You will see it when you get there. If the clutch is frozen and the pump is frozen too....ouch.... not much to do but to try and free up the clutch or get another (doesn't need to be working) AC compressor. Check the voltage to the compressor for a constant on and check to see if it spins freely. It is one of those things that you won't know until you get there.
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There may be nothing quite as expensive as a cheap Porsche: Ruby Red 84 928S : White 87 924s 2.5L NA (Blinky) M44/07-43H10676 spoiler delete - 046/2B - Belts 9/12, Clutch and OC seals 8/08 andd Red 94 Del Sol: Please put your Make, Model and Year in Sig. Try not to break more than you fix. |
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11-08-2009, 12:47 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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I have a compressor that spins freely... No clue if its good though.
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11-08-2009, 12:48 PM
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Automotive Necromancer
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Beantown, MA
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its raining compressors
P4Life, Check out the other thread of the man with a compressor with the back broken. It seems to be that time of year. None of us should take it personally. Between these two gentlemen, I am sure you can find a home for it. Thanks for stepping up to help a fellow enthusiast.
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There may be nothing quite as expensive as a cheap Porsche: Ruby Red 84 928S : White 87 924s 2.5L NA (Blinky) M44/07-43H10676 spoiler delete - 046/2B - Belts 9/12, Clutch and OC seals 8/08 andd Red 94 Del Sol: Please put your Make, Model and Year in Sig. Try not to break more than you fix. |
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11-08-2009, 12:53 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: O.C. CA
Posts: 4,587
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you should change your accessory belts at least every 2 years, regardless of mileage - they get hard from heat cycling and even just sitting - many people fail to do this and get squeals as a result
also, if the AC is on when you start the car, that can be a very common cause of squeal - AC should not be run at idle - yes, i know "everybody does it" - that does not change the fact that it puts a LOT of load on everything |
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11-08-2009, 12:59 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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I'll find a home for it dont worry... Is there a way to check them without putting them on the car?
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11-08-2009, 01:32 PM
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1986 Porsche 944 2.5l
