A/C power and radio goes in and out

[smokey_truck]

I have 2000 boxster, recently alternator started acting up so took it to alternator specialist and he confirmed voltage regulator was bad he changed to another new one and I put it in. Few months it has been running fine with no issues except at sometimes the radio and A/C goes out and comes back up. Recently it started becoming too frequent and recently It became so bad I saw battery symbol on dash so I pulled into my garage and took the alternator out and everything looks fine but have not put a bench test yet.

Will the voltage regulator act like that?
Can the belt be loose and stop the alternator running but belt looks good and my car only has 40k miles
Any pulleys to worry? Oh by the way when I pulling it out last time the tab on pig tail which goes on to voltage regulator broke but I put it back and tied it with welding wire and it stayed intact. My first doubt was if that tie came out but it was intact.

Sorry for long post. I want to really troubleshoot the issue properly because removing and putting the alternator in boxster is such a chore.

Thanks so much for reading

Ganesh

[bell]

your problem is a simple one.
you need to replace the electrical portion of the ignition switch.
it'll be less than $50 and you can change it yourself pretty easily if you're flexible.
I see this alot, very common problem. I can swap them out in literally 3 minutes....

[bell]

actually it's like $11.00 or $27..through pelican.....

[smokey_truck]

Bell Thanks for your input, why did that happen only after my alternator project was done, is that a coincidence? Wow that is strange the ignition switch can do that? Did anyone else have the same problem?

Ganesh

[bell]

I'd say it's just coincidence, I replace probably 2 or 3 boxster ign switches a week....it's a common problem.....

[s_wilwerding]

Before you spend any money, clean your battery contacts - I had similar issues, and the battery leads had some corrosion. Once I cleaned them, the issues went away.

[smokey_truck]

Originally Posted by s_wilwerding

Before you spend any money, clean your battery contacts - I had similar issues, and the battery leads had some corrosion. Once I cleaned them, the issues went away.

Battery contacts are in good shape, tomorrow my alternator shop is going to put it on bench test just to eliminate that as cause since I pulled the alternator anyway. Otherwise I have to order ignition switch

[smokey_truck]

Solved my issue, my alternator guy when putting a new voltage regulator he put a screw loose which gives the ground contact. As it is so painful to remove the alternator from Boxter and put it back, I cannot afford to have this kind of silly mistakes.

Ganesh