Alternator Failure, Or was it??? Options

[ctc911ctc]

'74 2.0, 40K miles

I am sure you all know that working on a 914 is never straight forward - simple things can, well, be quite complex! Inspecting an alternator in most cars is as easy as opening the hood, not so much in the 914.

I got this car 3 years ago, took it all apart replaced rubber and steel, put it all together. The alternator was original and was in great physical and electrical shape (proper charging voltage on the battery when the battery was run down).

Last week my son was driving it complaining that he:
1. could not get the parking brake light to turn off
2. was mad that the lights were no longer as bright as they were last week
3. That it was very slow starting earlier that day.

So, I was prepared to change the alternator - Changed Everything else, figured it was time.

Charging Voltage - Same as battery voltage...sigh
No power at the Voltage Regulator.....sigh....

So, I start the removal at the Pivot Bolt - What No Nut???? Did I forget to replace it? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

I then loosened the adjustment bolt, to do so I put my hand on the wheel of the alternator and what do ya know????? No Fan Belt!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

So, I figure that the pivot bolt was loose and it caused the belt to jump, now where is that thing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

It was not in the bay. Nor was it in the engine tin, got out the mirror and looked all around.

Went underneath in case it "slipped through the cracks...." Nothing.....

Kinda like the movie "There's Something About Mary" where did it go?

So, I stop looking for it....actually I couldn't stop and started looking in silly places...

.....and I start to put a spare belt (actually the original from the factory which was in great shape when I got the car, I put it away just in case) into the car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I then had an epiphany (always wanted one of those) and I felt around inside the fan. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

At first I did not feel it, I then reached way in and it was in two perfect circles imbedded within the fan against the back of the fan plate........weird.

I do not think I could get it to go in there that way if I spent an hour shaping it with a heat gun.

I Know, I Know, pictures, will post some later tonight. Right now I have a car to drive and a battery to charge!