[MCL968]

For some reason I can’t find anyone who sells them locally. Did research and it looks like best rated are odessey and acdelco.

Batteries Plus has the one I bought, they were about the only vendor that carried the proper size. I think it took them a couple of days to get it, and it was not cheap, but it kept me from having to push it and pop the clutch every time I needed to go somewhere.

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[snova]

Not sure where I’m going to get batteries in the future but for me I don’t have a batteries plus nearby. Not impressed with local Napa battery testers. Not sure if it’s a common tester across all Napa’s or not. For me at least to won’t be a Napa. Maybe carquest/advanced auto which now carry Diehard. O’Reilly batteries seem to be made by Penn which is the same company that made

my Napa battery.

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[968TDG]

As a follow up, I just finished replacing the voltage regulator, and the harness that runs from the alternator to the starter (944 607 029 01).  I think the reason why the alternator wasn't putting out any voltage, is that the brushes (a part of the voltage regulator) were worn down enough, that they were being held back by their leads, and were not making contact.  As soon as I turned the engine on, it was charging at 14V again, so that's great!

 

   

 

As for the harness, I could feel that the old one was crunchy, so I sliced it open, and it was terrible!  Lots of moisture, both wires exposed, old cracked casing just piled up like rubble.  I can imagine this could be causing other electrical gremlins in this state, and I feel really fortunate my car hasn't driven off by itself yet.

 

   

 

Anyone who hasn't replaced this wire should make it a priority...at this age, I can't imagine any of these harnesses are in good shape.  Brittle from the heat and age, corroded from the loose housing, looped perfectly to catch and keep all moisture.  I was able to do the job in about 2 hours, and didn't remove anything other than the lower shields.  It's certainly a bit tight in there, but workable.

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[ds968]

Good to hear !!! 

 

p.s.  my wire harness in is immaculate shape ( as far as the  insulation can be seen / inspected from the outside ) That might have a lot to do with the climate here ;  never “hot”,  never humid, the car is garaged, I have never driven it in the rain ( not worried about rain, per se, but  California is filled with morons at the wheel who panic at the slightest drop of water on the road and have no clue how to handle their cars, so just concerned about one of those folks running into my car.).   I digress,.. anyway, I do think climate has an impact on the wear and tear of those harnesses, in combination with age .  IMO 

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[MCL968]

Good for you! Yes, that's how they look. It's even more exciting when you note that the trigger wire for the starter is right next to the frayed wire, and in every bit as bad of shape. I recall the sense terror when I saw the condition mine was in, and the sense of relief when I changed mine out.

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[pdxmike]

Dan - my harness also looked like it was in great shape on casual inspection. I knew this was a known issue and I asked my shop about it soon after I bought the car (I had seen the exposed wire at the alternator). They said the harness was fine and not to worry. I didn't think about it again for a year until Pams968 posted the story about his car crashing through the garage door. At that point, anxiety got the better of me and when I swapped it out it was trashed inside. But the exterior insulation looked new - even still had the white OEM tag on it. 

 

Just sayin, I haven't heard anyone yet who's opened their harness to find it less than destroyed inside. 

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[ds968]

Hmm, good to know, didn’t realize that could be the case .  I’ll have it inspected the next time I have any service done to it. 

Incidentally , my car did start all by itself ( many, many years ago ) in the middle of the night, but fortunately it was stopped by a bunch plastic bins which were in front of it, against the garage’ retaining cement wall.  No damage, just a light bend in the front license plate.  I can’t remember what my mechanic said the cause was ( other than stating that “starters” will occasionally,  but rarely do that  ) but I’m pretty sure he didn’t think anything else needs to be done, however I think I did replace the stater.  Didn’t touch the wire harness .  Since that happened I always park the car in neutral just in case.. never had a recurrence though. 

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[snova]

Dan - my harness also looked like it was in great shape on casual inspection. I knew this was a known issue and I asked my shop about it soon after I bought the car (I had seen the exposed wire at the alternator). They said the harness was fine and not to worry. 

 .

Do you still use this shop? Alan and Paul?

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[Roboman]

With respect DS the greatest source of heat is going to be the engine, and you have an SC for extra calories just in case 240Hp wasn't producing enough!  Call me soft, but I think the cost verses effect means I'm going to order the cable (944 etc) and change it in the non-too-distant future.

 

Edit.... having said that, I'm wondering if there's any mileage in creating some holes at the lowest point, thus permitting moisture to escape.  Many people have mentioned moisture retention .... is there evidence of this after a series of dry days?  Or does this problem tend to manifest itself during Winter when damp air may be drawn inside the cable as the wiring cools?  

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[968TDG]

My car lives under a carport, and it hasn't rained here on SoCal for some time, and the harness was quite wet inside when I pulled it.  It's a long wire, with the low point in the middle, and the outer sheath is quite loose.  It was one of the easier jobs I've done on the car, and satisfying to see the terrible shape of the original.  I'm sure climate, mileage, and care will impact the state of the wire, but time and engine heat are all that is needed to make the wires brittle.  

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[MCL968]

I rerouted mine to the wheel well and then to the firewall to get them out of the hottest part of the enginecompartment. I also used a silicon covered wire that I purchased from summit racing.

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[ds968]

With respect DS the greatest source of heat is going to be the engine, and you have an SC for extra calories just in case 240Hp wasn't producing enough!  Call me soft, but I think the cost verses effect means I'm going to order the cable (944 etc) and change it in the non-too-distant future.

 

Makes perfect sense ( the heat factor ) , so I’ll order the harness and just change it at the next service need. 

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[ds968]

I presume Sunset Porsche and / or Pelican would have the cable harness ?  And it can be searched by just  <a>944 607 029 01</a> ? 

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[968TDG]

Yes, I actually went with Porsche Marin, and they were able to get it quickly.  Most places don't stock it, but you're in no rush.

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[Roboman]

I managed to pick up a second hand cable for $15 .............      only joking!  I'm just in the process of ordering a new one.

 

Jay, I wonder if this is the sort of "warning" that should be "sent to all" on this site??  Even if it was just an advisory message such as "recommended reading for all 968 owners ... link-XYZ as appropriate".  Just a thought.

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[snova]

I managed to pick up a second hand cable for $15 .............      only joking!  I'm just in the process of ordering a new one.

 

I love bargains too. I have used motor oil to sell you. Half off compared to new.

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[ds968]

Just ordered mine.   When I replace it, IF the old one is in perfect shape inside the insulation, you guys owe me $ 120 ..

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[968TDG]

I'm excited to see what shape it's in Dan...this will let us know best case scenario, and give everyone a better idea how urgent it is to sort out.  I've been out of the loop the last couple years so I hadn't seen the forum posts about the 968 driving itself out of the garage, so I like Roboman's idea of a warning to the group, especially if your harness is toast!

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[ds968]

Per my recollection, I believe there have been only three members of this forum ( including me ) who experienced the self-driving car syndrome ..or at least, three who reported it .   Not sure how long it’s going to take before I have the car serviced next,  it may be many more months, but will definitely slice open the old cable at that time and post photos.  

 

Replacing something that’s not “broken”, will pretty much be a first for me; I’m not a believer in preventive maintenance ( with the sole exception of the timing & balance belts ) , but just to satisfy my own curiosity and share the info with the forum, I’ll do this one.. 

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[Roboman]

Replacing something that’s not “broken”, will pretty much be a first for me; I’m not a believer in preventive maintenance ( with the sole exception of the timing & balance belts ) , but just to satisfy my own curiosity and share the info with the forum, I’ll do this one..

[/quote]


DS I tend to agree with your "if it ain't broke don't fix it" ..... but I've only been on this forum about 18 months, and this alternator/starter issue has raised its head a few times, and all with the same photos. I suspect that after 20 years in the Middle East, and since then as garage queen under my house, all will be good. But I'm going to take my own advice, and I too will post the results.


Snova .... tempting

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