britdave

Great ! Thanks R Rocket :thankyou:

As R Rocket If your correct about that, R Rocket I'm not going to replace the deteriorating foam with more, as I live in Florida, so I'm not that concerned with heat that much, obviously here in the Sunshine state it's mostly about air conditioning, however that IS a concern ? However, will NOT replacing the foam have a drastic effect on my air conditioning performance, or won't I even notice the difference, that is the question ? A friend of mine that also has a 996 is having the same issue as well. Can anyone add to this as far as the lack of the foam, and effects on the A/C ? :huh:

Funny, but at one of the cheaper places ( costing $155- $180.00 ) Either Pep boys, Autozone, NAPA, Or O'Reily's , I forgot which of them ? Two, parts guys (out of four) asked me if I had an automatic transmission, or a 6 speed stick, they said there were two different part numbers ? The other two, showed only one ? Further investigation here, and on Pelican Parts (another $350.00 + alternator) discussed the need for the pulley/clutch on the 6 speed stick, but NOT on the 911/996 with an automatic tranny, Hmmm ? Most of the cheaper ones also had a 'lifetime warranty' Hate to waste $200.00 bucks for nothing, anyone got an opinion on that ? Cheers Dave.

Didn't know that ? Thank you ! :thankyou:

Butch did you have the "HEAT" issue ? As I said for the first 5 or 6 miles (or about 10 minutes running time) everything was fine ,voltage was "about" 13.4 to 13.7 volts or so, then AFTER about 5 or 6 miles, or 10 mins, when the motor heats up it started dropping, how could this affect that , the wiring harness that is, was yours a heat issue, or that way from initial start up ? I'm not an electronics engineer, but it's a connection, not an electronic device ? Perhaps I'm wrong , could heat increase the resistance on a connection like that ? Anyone know about that ? Thanks Dave

Thanks a lot Loren, from what I'm reading above replacing this foam is quite a job for sure. However is it really necessary ? Although she's blowing lots of pieces out ( I turn on the A/C and the defrost on high blower , so it comes out both area's , and dislodge , and vacuum out what I can ) the A/C seems as cold as ever, (I live in Florida) hence is it really important to replace it, or would it cause a problem if I just kept removing/vacuuming it out, but did not replace it ? :thankyou: Anyone know ? I would rather NOT delve into this, and I imagine the dealer cost would be silly money, for something not really needed, or is it ? Thanks Dave

I've seen this somewhere on this site, but alas a 'search' couldn't find it ? I've got little bits of deteriorating grey/black sticky foam rubber blowing out of my defrost, and A/C dash vents, loads of it ! :cursing: I recall reading somewhere else this is foam rubber is from the vent doors in the A/C & heat system, and not to worry too much about it. Anyone got any opinions on this, and how to remove it perhaps with a special vacuum cleaner attachment , or something else ? I love my 2002 996, (except for my alternator issue , elsewhere on here, but I think I've got that issue licked now, thanks guys :thumbup: ) but this foam rubber thing is really annoying, anyone else got his problem, and will it eventually cause a problem ? One last thing , I hate the plastics in general Porsche uses, my sun visors are always sticky, as well as other plastics in the cabin, Ugh ! I have an M-3 as well, but the plastic on that is fine, so it's NOT German plastic, just Porsche I guess ? Thanks Brit Dave.

Please advise about this "Magnetic drain plug " sounds like a good idea ! Any opinions, and where to get one ? Thanks Dave.

Ok Thanks , I was wondering about that, as if I do in fact need a new alternator, the dealer wants silly money/buko bucks $$$, a German parts place here in Daytona wants about $350 or 360, for a rebuilt Bosch, but Autozone, NAPA, Pep Boys, and O'Reilys have them for about $155 to $180 or so with a lifetime guarantee, sounds good , why pay more, but I'll have to check on that "clutch " you mentioned. Not sure if they have that, would that make a serious issue if it didn't have one ?

Ok Thanks Hilux 2400, anyone else got any input on this topic ? Any other theories about this are appreciated as this has been plaguing me and another local 996 owner I know for ages. Also if I do need a new alternator, as I said in a previous post, one from the dealer is silly money $$$ of course, a foreign car parts place here in Daytona wants about $365.00 for a Bosch rebuilt, but Auto zone, Pep boys, Napa, and O'Reily's auto parts all have them for about $ 155.00 to $180.00 , and some with a lifetime warranty, anyone got an opinion on these ? The price is sure right ! Thanks Dave.

Thanks a lot fella's , I'll try all that again , hope I find the problem this time ? Cheers Dave.

Thanks fella's I'll try all that again, hope it works ? Dave.

A voltage problem that has been plaguing my 2002 996 C2 , 911, for ages, is when I first start the car, according to a cigarette lighter type electrical gauge device, everything is ok showing 'about' 13.3 to 13.8 volts, and a green light on the gauge. It remains that way ( 13.3 to 13.8 volts) for about 5 miles or about 10 minute or so, being driven or just idling. Then after that (a few miles or 10 mins) it starts dropping to as low as 12.8 to 12.2 volts,and in the red ? This always happens after the motor etc heats up,hence it appears to be a heat issue I think ? Last year I removed the alternator took it to a local alternator specialist that replaced the voltage regulator with an updated version ? And when bench tested it appeared fine. However once back on the car, it happened all over again ? Brand new battery, all connections appear ok, it's only AFTER the car gets up to a normal operating temperature, after about 10 mins or so. It baffles the hell out of me, and I always carry my jump start box , just in case. Any ideas as to what it is ? I was thinking of just buying another alternator and taking a chance on thats what it is ? Speaking of that, Pep Boys, Auto zone , O'Reilly's etc, sell them for about $155.00 with a lifetime guarantee ! The dealer wants an outrageous price, silly money, and a foreign car part place wants about $375.00 for a re-built Bosch. Any thoughts on the cheaper ones , and what my problem/issue could be ? This is a great car save for this alternator, electrical issue ??? Thanks a lot Dave.

Thanks Bill, but been there did that. Took mine to a very reputable place where they replaced the voltage regulator with a more updated version, bench tested all and all was fine. Got another brand new battery as well. Same issue, I'm beginning to think its corrosion/resistance in the wiring somewhere ? Again, voltage is is ok on start up, but after 5 or 6 miles it goes from a healthy cold start 13.7 or 13.8, to about 12.6 or 12.7 after warm up. This has been going on for years, its a mystery ? :cursing:

I bought the larger one, for my 2002 996 C2, I forget the number, but it had more CCA's than the 48, and it did fit, with some slight adjustments,funny, but it cost less as well ? I still have not fixed my electrical problem, where after about 4 or 5 miles and the motor heats up the alternator goes from putting out about 13.6 to 13.8 volts which is good, to 13.1 or even 12.7 to 12.9 which is NOT good :cursing: Really weird, and it's not the alternator, I believe it's the wiring from the battery to the alternator,hence I always carry my trusty "jump start" in the trunk. One of these days I'll find out what the real culprit is ? I've given up, time to go to a Porsche electrical specialist , or the over priced dealer :eek:

Great thanks a lot ! Thats one I had not thought of ? DC

Anyone got anything to add to this alternator problem, where it doesn't put out what it should, especially after a few miles, when the motor heats up ? Any other advice, or theories on this issue will be most welcome, before I do the old 'Trial & error tactics ? I see I'm not the only one that has this baffling issue ??? Thanks Dave.

Guys, I think you may have solved my 2 year long problem in my 2002 911 C2 ! :thankyou: Briefly, the alternator, is not charging the battery the way it should,especially after driving for a while. I have mentioned this problem in another post elsewhere on Renn Tec. Initial start up, it's putting out "about" 13.3 to 13.6 volts, then after about 3 or 4 miles (motor warming up of course) it starts delivering 13.20 , 13.10 , then a while later, about 12 .90 12.80 ,and even less, and of course that 13.0 and below, triggers the red light on my mini cigarette lighter voltage output indicator/meter (when it's above 13.10 it's yellow, and has to be about 13.40 to show green and charging correctly) I've changed the battery, even got a new larger one with more cranking amps, removed the alternator, had it bench tested, and the guy put in a newer updated voltage regulator , so both battery and alternator are fine. Now more than ever I believe this is the culprit, that **** :cursing: alternator/starter wire ! I'm not sure if I can do all described above as my mechanical abilities are somewhat limited, so I'll probably just take my 2002 996 C2 to a dealer, and ask them how much $$$ :eek: they would charge me to replace this wire, any idea ? I'm sure after they do this, all will be fine, unless it's the ground strap ? Is this a common problem, especially as when the motor warms up ? Thanks, I hope this will solve my problem, and the dealer doesn't fleece me $$$ that bad :rolleyes: any thoughts ? Cheers Dave.

Thanks loads ! I'll be ordering one soon. Sounds easy, hope I can do it myself ???

Ok thanks Ahsai. Do you recall how much the 997 shifter is , the B&M one is about $230.00 , I assume this is a OEM stock 997 shifter your referring to ? And I assume it fits exactly in place of the 996 one ? Anyone else got an opinion on replacing the stock 996 shifter in my 2002 C2 911 ? Pros. or cons about the B&M one and the 997 replacement, and ease of installation ? Thanks Dave.

Ok, thanks for the advice everyone. But what is wrong with the one from B&M ? I'm sure the "genuine Porsche" 997 one costs as much or more, and the throw reduction seems minimal, ref above post ? Is there a video showing how easy an install this could be ? I'm trying to get a consensus of opinions here, and from what I have heard the B&M shifter is the best, with the 'shortest throw' so why bother with the 997 one ? Please advise on ease of installation, and the quality, and range of motion ? Thanks Dave.

Sorry, never heard (shouting ?) that before ? Thanks for the link Loren, but I can't connect for some reason ? I'll try later. Dave

Is that one super long cable that runs from the + terminal of the battery directly to the starter solenoid., or does it connect elsewhere before that terminal ? I hope I don't have to rip the whole cable out, and I'm hoping it's just a bad connector,or connection, that I can wire brush, and apply some electric grease to it, to prevent future episodes. Unfortunately, it's beginning to sound like a job for Orland Por$he ,<--- thats not typo $$$, LOL, and knowing them they will try to sell me a new alternator etc. I'm totally with the belief that it's that main long (how long ? ) wire cable, who knows ? This has been going on for over 2 years now, and I've changed everything but that. Hence I always carry my 'Jump start ' box with me in the boot/ trunk. I hope this is not that difficult or costly $$$$, when its a simple corroded connection ? Thanks Dave.

Did this work, what you did above ? I think I have the same type of problem ? ( I have a 2002, 911/996 ) Especially when the motor warms up. Upon initial start up, my volt meter in the cigarette lighter reads between 13.40 -13.60 volts (still lower than what it should be) As I drive it gets less, and less, especially with the a/c and lights on, within about 5 or 6 miles the meter goes from green, to yellow (meaning it drops to 13.10 to 13.20 volts ) then it goes to red, or about 12.70 - 12 90 volts or lower(my meter has green , yellow, and red lights . as well as showing the voltage) The battery is new,and checked out ok, the alternator was bench tested, and ok, and the alternator shop, put a new improved regulator in it as well. Hence I think it's that **** long positive cable that runs from the + of the battery to the rear, and I'm assuming it attaches to the solenoid ,on the alternator ? Any thoughts or suggestions on this situation where the battery gets low voltage and the alternator can't recharge it like it's suppose to ? And if my suspicions are correct , is it easy to remove ,service , and install one of these long cables through the body ? :help:

I WOULD LIKE TO INSTALL, ONE OF THOSE SHORT THROW SHIFTERS IN MY 2002 911/996 , BUT WONDERED ABOUT WHERE TO GET THE BEST PRICE, AND WHAT MAKE ? ALSO DOES IT REALLY MAKE THAT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE FROM THE OEM ONE ? AND LASTLY, IS IT HARD TO INSTALL ONE, OR SHOULD I HAVE MY LOCAL PORSCHE GUY DO IT ? ANY HELP ON THE LATTER, WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THANKS DC