I think I have a wiring problem, or maybe just need to clean grounds?

[Majin325]

Was driving back from taking my girlfriend to work. The car had just died, It had no power to anything inside with the key in and turned to the on position. I took the key out and put it back in. The lights in the instrument pannel were very dim and seemed to be slightly pulsing. Tried reinserting the key again, had full power, started and when I got to 3rd gear it dies again with no power. This time reinserting the key multiple times did nothing, still had no power. I opened the hood and noticed my radiator fan was operating at low speed, shook the wires at the positive battery cable. I get back in the car, has power, started and was able to drive it home.

I have noticed recently at night that the battery light glows faintly, with the parking/headlights on the light glows to about 50% of its brightness, sometimes it wont glow at all.

[Laptop_geek]

Have you checked the alternator? See how many volts its supplying to the battery at an idle buy using a voltmeter (or multimeter).

[Majin325]

Well I cleaned the battery terminals, wires, and ground and also the engine block grounds. I get 14.3v at idle, 13.6v idle with headlights, 12.8v not running at just the battery. I still do not know why the car died twice while driving and had no power to anything but the radiator fans that I know of with the key turned on.

I was wondering if it has something to do with these wires, I don't know what they go to but I have had a previous no start when one of them was loose before. One of these wires was loose and fell out of its clamp when I was cleaning them.

[Guest765]

Originally Posted by Majin325

Well I cleaned the battery terminals, wires, and ground and also the engine block grounds. I get 14.3v at idle, 13.6v idle with headlights, 12.8v not running at just the battery. I still do not know why the car died twice while driving and had no power to anything but the radiator fans that I know of with the key turned on.

I was wondering if it has something to do with these wires, I don't know what they go to but I have had a previous no start when one of them was loose before. One of these wires was loose and fell out of its clamp when I was cleaning them.

absolutely has something to do with those wires. if i am not mistaken one of those is your alternator charging lead. you were running off battery alone and were lucky to get it restarted at all. tighten those wires TIGHT if you haven't already, and let us know if the problem returns. good luck.

[Laptop_geek]

According to the flow diagrams from Porsche you have two red wires that go to the ignition switch, one red/black wire that goes to the fuel pump relay, and one black (large) wire that goes to the starter. So yes, they would cause a no start condition.

[Majin325]

All seems to be working just fine now, battery light is no longer on and haven't had it shutdown on me while driving.