Dead battery = bad generator?

[Jon Finkelstein]

Greetings all,

Well it was bound to happen. I had my 1st mechanical failure with my new/old
356 SC. I took my wife out for ice cream and I while the car stared up great
in the garage when we left, I noticed the engine turned over more slowly
than normal after the car sat for 10 min (following a 20 min highway drive.
I was able to start the car though. Then, after another 10 minute drive and
another 15 min stop, the car was dead. Just a click. I was able to boost it
with jumpers right away. I didn't leave the lights or any accessories on, either.

We got home no problem, but I did notice the generator light was on, albeit
dim for most of the drive. It did go out on occasion. But I can't say if it
has been doing his for some time as this was the first time I have driven
the car at night -- believe it or not. And, it's hard to see a dim light
during the day.

The car is a 64 SC Coupe which I bought from EC in Nov. The car has been
converted to 12volts. I have been driving it very regularly for the last 2
months or so without even a symptom of a weak battery. Even on hot starts, I
have followed the advice of the list and haven't had any problems. It was
cranking strong.

I will see what happens in the morning -- maybe it will crank? But in the
mean time, I assume since the battery is dead it's not getting a charge
while I drive. And with my limited knowledge, that usually means the
alternator, or the generator (which the 356 has, right?)

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for helping a newbie!

**Sorry for the duplicate post, I sent it as a response to another thread, not a new subject.


KTF
Jon

[Guest]

I had battery problems with my 6 volt 62 S90 coupe for the first 15 years I owned it. I must have gone through four or five new batteries. Then I bought an Optima. Turned out my car dying when I was driving was due to so much corrosion at the terminals that the juice just couldn't do the job anymore. I'd routinely take steel wool to the posts until the posts were too small a diameter to handle the clamps anymore.

How old was the battery when you bought the car in November? I can't feature EC screwing you intentionally. Jim Slawson, SF Bay area

[Tom Farnam]

Jon, given that your car is now a 12v unit, my first suggestion is for you to go through a process. First, check your battery cables and the contacts at the starter. Don't be surprised if you find some corrosion either between the posts and the clamps or even between the cables and the clamps.

Second, go to http://www.356registry.org/Tech/StarterFlow.pdf and follow Joe Leoni's starting diagnosis.

My guess - starter bushing, but the preceding will do you a lot more good than guesses by any of us.

Tom

[Joe Leoni]

Jon,
The generator red light will burn dim when a heavy current is being called
for.
Yes it is a generator.
A voltmeter is probably required for a quick analysis of the trouble.
The charged battery will read 12.6 volts.
And the generator should be putting out 14.6 volts no load.
This can be checked with the B+ wire lifted at the regulator.

One thing you might want to check is the current rating on the regulator.
25 amps should be the most you want to draw.

Lastly the CO contacts might not be making good contacts.
Don't push these together with the engine stopped.
Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon Finkelstein" <jonfinkelstein@griplimited.com>
To: <356talk@356registry.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 8:22 PM
Subject: [356Talk] Dead battery = bad generator?

Greetings all,

Well it was bound to happen. I had my 1st mechanical failure with my
new/old
356 SC. I took my wife out for ice cream and I while the car stared up
great
in the garage when we left, I noticed the engine turned over more slowly
than normal after the car sat for 10 min (following a 20 min highway
drive.
I was able to start the car though. Then, after another 10 minute drive
and
another 15 min stop, the car was dead. Just a click. I was able to boost
it
with jumpers right away. I didn't leave the lights or any accessories on,
either.

We got home no problem, but I did notice the generator light was on,
albeit
dim for most of the drive. It did go out on occasion. But I can't say if
it
has been doing his for some time as this was the first time I have driven
the car at night -- believe it or not. And, it's hard to see a dim light
during the day.

The car is a 64 SC Coupe which I bought from EC in Nov. The car has been
converted to 12volts. I have been driving it very regularly for the last 2
months or so without even a symptom of a weak battery. Even on hot starts,
I
have followed the advice of the list and haven't had any problems. It was
cranking strong.

I will see what happens in the morning -- maybe it will crank? But in the
mean time, I assume since the battery is dead it's not getting a charge
while I drive. And with my limited knowledge, that usually means the
alternator, or the generator (which the 356 has, right?)

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for helping a newbie!

**Sorry for the duplicate post, I sent it as a response to another thread,
not a new subject.


KTF
Jon

------------------------
Jon Finkelstein
64 SC Coupe
Reg # 18992

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