Re: Dead 164

[JimboMGA@xxxxxxx]

<<<<Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 10:00:24 +1000
From: Jeff Hanbury <j.hanbury@domain.elided>
Subject: Dead 164
Hi everyone...
Help!
Our 164 continually has problems with it's battery going flat. We 
have had the alternator checked etc 
The auto-electrician claims it is not unusual for this kind of car 
(mentioned Porsche 928) and that we just have to drive it every day. 
If we skip a day it will not start. Does anyone else experience 
this???
Also, we are obviously needing to recharge the battery a lot. Is it 
really necessary to disconnect the earth from the battery to the car 
while recharging or can we leave it all connected?
Any comments appreciated.
Thanks,
Jeff>>>>

Hey Alfa Buds,
My 84 GTV6 was naughty like this for the first year I owned it. I was dreading
the replacement of the alternator and battery. But then I started hearing
things about how the charging system is designed to work (it isn't quite like
you might think).
After getting some more complete information about the performance profile of
the charging system (I made that "performance profile" term up cuz I didn't
know what else to call it) I learned that my use of the vehicle was more the
cause of my charging problems.
I drive about 14 miles a day in really light traffic. This is just barely
enough time for the car to reach an opperating temperature at which I dare to
run the tach up above 3,500. The alternator in my GTV6 doesn't yield much
charge to the battery below that 3,500 so I was only charging the battery with
the alternator about 2-5 minutes a day. Not enough to sustain reliable cold
starts (or even warm ones).
To solve my little charging problem I take a longer drive when ever I have the
opportunity, hook up the battery charger about once every week, and generally
pay more attention to how the car sounds on each start-up (if it sounds a bit
enemic I hook up the charger when I get home).
I'm sure your 164 is at least a little different from my aged GTV6 but, this
modification of my habbits has helped a great deal. Now if I could just get
the door locks to stop freezing open...
Good luck,
Buon Natale y'all
JimboMGA@domain.elided
1984 GTV6 (graunch)
1969 912 (44/56)

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