Alternator Failure?

[Mark996]

Hi all,

Just had the unpleasant experience of seeing my baby put on a flat-bed truck and driven off to the Porsche dealership.

I was driving along a motorway at about 85 mph when suddenly every single dashboard warning light came on at once. About 3 or 4 seconds later, the car just lost power and I coasted to halt on the hard shoulder. Couldn't re-start the car and all the warning lights stayed on.

I phoned the recovery service and while I was waiting the electrics behaved rather oddly (windows going down by themselves, the red gear indicator light (Tiptronic) running up and down through the gears, etc.)After about 25 minutes, the battery died completely; nothing was turned on, the key wasn't in the ignition and so I think the only thing using power was the hazard warning lights.

When the recovery guy came, we were able to start and drive the car with a battery pack connected to my battery; otherwise, my battery wouldn't hold a charge. All the warning lights stayed on.

Two other things that might (possibly) be relevant. (1) I had a new battery put in two weeks ago; car has been running perfectly on the few occasions I've used it since. (2) It was raining very heavily and there was a lot of surface water and spray on the road.

The Porsche service centre will be looking at the car on Monday. I am astonishingly ignorant of things mechanical (I had a warm glow of pride for several days when I managed to change a light-bulb on the car recently) and would like to sound even vaguely intelligent when talking to the dealership.

My question:- the recovery guy said he thought that the alternator had failed on the car.

Does anyone here have any thoughts on whether these symptoms sound like something that might have been caused by a failed alternator? If not, any suggestions as to an alternative cause?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

[1999Porsche911]

It might be nothing more than a broken serpentine belt or just a bad battery. I wouldn't lose any sleep over wondering if it's anything major. Keep us posted.

[Mark996]

It might be nothing more than a broken serpentine belt or just a bad battery. I wouldn't lose any sleep over wondering if it's anything major. Keep us posted.

Thanks, 1999Porsche911 - hopefully it won't be anything to blow the Christmas budget!

I'll let you know the outcome.

Regards,

Mark

[geoff]

Sounds like exactly the same symptoms I had a couple of months back. Except mine started with the battery light coming on, then after about 10 minutes (right when I was up a canyon), the dash looked like a Christmas tree the way all the lights were lit. It started for the dealer after being flatbedded, but the battery light was still on and they were able to confirm the alternator was (going) bad. One of those "these never go bad" statements from the dealer, along with a "we've got another car in with exactly the same problem" conversations. Alternator replaced (warning - they are very expensive! :eek: ) and everything is fine. My battery was 4 1/2 years old, so I replaced it with an Optima, and no problems since

[1999Porsche911]

Pulling the alternator if a simple, quick job and can be rebuilt compartively, very inexpensively.

Edited December 4, 2005 by 1999Porsche911

[Mark996]

Pulling the alternator if a simple, quick job and can be rebuilt compartively, very inexpensively.

Hi all,

Just to update, the dealer phoned this morning to say that their diagnosis was a dead alternator. The replacement will be €625 plus 1.5 hours labour. I've told them to go ahead with the work and I'm going to start asking around to see if I can locate a good independent specialist in the area so that I can keep my options open when next I need some work done.

Thanks again for the words of advice; it's fantastic to be able to draw on your experience and knowledge when necessary. :thumbup:

Kind regards,

Mark

[Tool Pants]

For the Boxster.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...1&hl=alternator

[1999Porsche911]

If it was me, I would spend a few minutes and yank the alternator and get it tested. These things just don't blow. Could be a simple fix or something else. $625 for a new one. WOW!.

Edited December 5, 2005 by 1999Porsche911

[slbates]

1999 has a point...I have been able to fix quite a few with just a new regulator or something just as simple as a $2 diode. If one of the diodes gives up, AC voltage is introduced into the electrical system and can make your guages wacky. You can check them easily, just check for AC voltage. You should have less than a volt. If you have more, a diode has likely given up due to heat, vibration, age.