924Board.org

[augidog]

I put my new head in and cleaned all ground connections. I have had a new heavy ground running from the battery firewall to the engine top since day one. With the rebuilt head I put a new ground wire by the ballast resistor. I thought to run the original firewall ground to the ballast area to clean up the engine top since the new wire to the head was good.
It seems that if the firewall ground goes to the holder in front of the ballast, it will ground out the starter when you turn the key. Luckily, I did not change too much all at once so I could backtrack my steps. I removed the ground and the car started.
I have now completely removed all grounds to the coil/ballast area and have gone straight to the top of the engine only. My starter turns better and now I do not have the red alt light come on at the dash. This use to stay lit until I revved the engine. I get full juice right away now. It is very strange.
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1978 924 95 mile daily driver.
Audi TB/POR174M/High Flow Cat/2.25" exhaust
I knew that positive thinking thing wouldn't work.

[Mike924]

Like you say, this is a strange one...

I would suspect the wiring to the solenoid have been altered (as this is the common point to the ballast and the starter), but I can't piture in what way to produce the problem you observed.

Is your alternator ground good?
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1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

[augidog]

The ground is good to the alt- It was just redone. I'm thinking it has something to do with the bypassing of the ballast during cranking. Or maybe that ballast is shorted to ground.
_________________
1978 924 95 mile daily driver.
Audi TB/POR174M/High Flow Cat/2.25" exhaust
I knew that positive thinking thing wouldn't work.

[Mike924]

A ballast shorted to ground would short out the ignition which will certainly prevent the engine from starting - so this could be an explanation...
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org