electrical gremlins

[bowlsby]

74 914 2.0L - stock

I am experiencing a strange (to me anyway) combination of electrical problems.

Alternator light glimmered for awhile, now it won't go out. I've tightened the alternator belt, checked fuses, grounds, regulator plate relays...now the alternator light doesn't go out. So I plan to change the volt regulator and alternator. Eu Joie.

Whats got me stumped is that several gauges and exterior lights don't work now at all either. Voltmeter, oil temp, brake lights (dash and rear outside), tach, fuel guage, turn signals (dash and all for outside corners). Looking at the electrical schemeatics, all of these itemns and the alternator are on the same circuit.

If the alternator and or volt regulator fails, would these other items go out also?

Thanks for you input.

[mejulihn]

Jeff,
We feel your pain! Anyone who has never experienced an annoying electrical problem with their 914 is either very lucky or just waiting their turn. I would check the several common "gang ground" points in the car if you have not already. In the front lower left corner of the engine bay below the relay board is a ground point for several of these systems you are having trouble with so I would check it first. Good luck!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Fuses, fuses, fuses, fuses! Most or all of the stuff you list is powered by one single fuse. Check in the "Tech Specs" section of this site (look on the main page) for the fuse diagrams.

Heck, replace them all! They're very cheap and easy to replace. While you're at it, shine up the insides of the "fingers" that hold them so that you're sure they are making good contact.

I'll bet that at least some of your problems will go away if you do that. Maybe all of them! Either that, or you'll find that the fuse pops again and you'll have to track down where the short is.

--DD

[BenI]

A great way to clean these old contacts is to use a standard pencil erasure. Just rub it around to remove corrosion. Ive even put a pencil backwards in a drill to get some power behind the process.

[bowlsby]

Well I'm happy to report that it was indeed the fuses...I took DD's advice and just replaced them all. Found a 25A where an 8A should have been, as well as the one fuse causing the current troubles, looked fine, but when tugged at, fell apart.

Lesson: Fuse replacement should be on our lists to be done at regular intervals, every 2-3 years or so.

Thanks for getting me on the road guys.