Battery/generator warning light

[Gyorgy]

Good day everyone!

I commute 30 miles to work each way. Just before I got there today, the battery/generator warning light came on as I stopped at a red light. I also heard some mechanical noise from the engine. I ended up driving the remaining few blocks to work and parking it in the garage. Now, I think I may need the generator replaced as my battery should be in good shape. Interestingly, I just had the 60k service... Which reminds me that years ago after I had a head gasket job on my 1995 Mercedes E320, a week later had the drive belt brake on the air pump (?) costing a bunch.

I will be calling the indie who did the service and get it towed to his shop.

Any word of advice on getting the car on the tow truck properly (flat bed)? As I am writing this it just occured to me: this is NOT concerning for the IMS failure, am I correct?

Thanks for letting me share : )

Gyorgy

[Loren]

Check the drive belt and pulleys - first. A broken belt (or pulley) will sound like that too.

[JFP in PA]

I'd also check the alternator to see if it has the de-clutching style pulley, which can also make quite a bit of a racket when it craps out and can leave the alternator unable to put out enough voltage.

[Gyorgy]

Thanks Loren and JFP. I did check the belt, it seems fine. So, I hope maybe the pulley... Although it may not change the bottom line: replace the alternator. Any word of advice on towing?

Thanks for your thoughts!

[logray]

There is a good blurb on towing in your owners manual. Basically it involves a flat bed and using the tow hook eye from your tool kit. There is a scan of the owners manual towing excerpt floating around somewhere.

[JFP in PA]

Thanks Loren and JFP. I did check the belt, it seems fine. So, I hope maybe the pulley... Although it may not change the bottom line: replace the alternator. Any word of advice on towing?

Thanks for your thoughts!

If it is the pulley, the pulley is one Hell of a lot cheaper than a replacement alternator.......................

[whall]

Gyorgy,

Down load, print and keep in your car a copy of this AAA Towing Guide For Porsches:

http://partner.aaa.b...Porsche_ERS.pdf

Bill

Edited March 12, 2012 by whall

[Gyorgy]

UPDATE:

I left the car at work yesterday and had my wife pick me up. Today I called the mechanic who recommended having the car towed but I was not thrilled about the idea of entrusting a tow truck driver with my car so after a friend suggested I could drive the car like that I called the mechanic back who gave his blessings -but also mentioned that there is a slim chance I may end up stranded, oh well....

So when I went back to the garage, the car started up the the "issue" was gone. I did go to the mechanic and he took a look and concluded that everything looked fine. So I will try to stick around close to home if this happens again.

Moral of the story? Probably none, but I did save $150 of towing costs : )

Thanks for the help!!