Menu toggle

My electrics are failing. Please help!

C

CCman

New member
1986 944 LUX.
So, first to stop working properly was my sun roof control. I found that it would not go all the way up and then I would struggle to get it to come down. Also the arms started to no retract when the sunroof was released. Thought it may have been something to do with the micro switch front centre of the sunroof. I gave up on it for a while as winter kicked in, didnt really need it!

The next thing to go wrong, and its a difficult one to explain. When I turn my ignition on, some times nothing will happen and the hole electrical system will shut down including the clock/interior lights. The only thing that moves is the mpg indicator and it will go 80% of the way around slowly and stay there. Then whilst the indicator shows a reading the rest of the car (absolutly everything) is totally dead. If I then start to flick switches some times it will remove the charge from the dial, or if I try and turn on the interior light that will some times remove the charge or what ever it is. If that fails I have to get out the car, open up the boot and tap the battery, this seems to work most times! foud this out after a lot of experimenting, very irritating when trying to leave a petrol station etc. Have changed the bettery since think then last one was a 55a/hr and the new one is a 60 or a 65a/hr.

Now the latest thing to start happening is whilst Im driving my entire dash dies, all the dial, and the heater will start blowing out warm air!!! plus ever since Ive owned the car the heater will tick over slightly when the control is turned off, dont know if thats normal or not but its never been a concern. Any way the dials will then kick in again without any prompting ie when I turn on my lights or indicators or go over a bump, that kind of prompting.

I know that these can suffer from electrical fualts, and I also know that Im proberly asking alot! But if somebody has had similar problems and knows how to fix them then please let me know because it looks like things are starting to fail! this car is also in no means mint. its in average condition.

Any help would be fantastic. Thank you.

Charles
 
ORIGINAL: CCman

Now the latest thing to start happening is whilst Im driving my entire dash dies, all the dial, and the heater will start blowing out warm air!!! plus ever since Ive owned the car the heater will tick over slightly when the control is turned off, dont know if thats normal or not but its never been a concern. Any way the dials will then kick in again without any prompting ie when I turn on my lights or indicators or go over a bump, that kind of prompting.

I know that these can suffer from electrical fualts, and I also know that Im proberly asking alot! But if somebody has had similar problems and knows how to fix them then please let me know because it looks like things are starting to fail! this car is also in no means mint. its in average condition.
Click to expand...

Don't recognise the other symptoms but this one could be something to do with your voltage regulator. When these things fail they don't just die, they give an erratic voltage output. When mine was going the opposite happened and instead of the electrical system being fed 14v it was being fed more and all the lights went super bright, the fan sounded like an aircraft engine and the hole thing just went crazy. Then sometimes everything just went off completely - which was a shock when it happnened once on a dark country lane and I lost my all my lights - exterior and interior. Luckily there were no other cars around and I knew the road well so managed for the few seconds of darkness. I'd guess that maybe all your other electrical gremlins might be due to your voltage regulator. Could be a good starting point.

I repaired by replacing the whole alternator (the voltage regulator is bolted on the back of the alternator) with one from a breakers. You can just buy the VR on it's own and replace, but most breakers seemed to sell the whole alterator/VR assembly. Good luck.

By the way - your fan always blows even when switched off. When your heater control is off it blows at a speed slower that switch position 1. It is part of the ventilation system of the car.
 
Does the car have an immobiliser? Thisll sound random but have you replaced the rear hatch struts?
 
My guess is a bad earth connection.

Take the battery out and check the other end of the earth lead, and check the positive is connected securely too.

Clean everything up, you can use fine sandpaper.

Then you can have some fun rooting around the engine bay and maybe the dash checking earth leads there too!

If it restarts after tapping the battery, that's your main area to do first...
 
Ignition switch,they can get tired contact wise and cause all sorts of problems.[:mad:]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Archant Dialogue
Back
Top