914

1969-1976 / Targa / Germany

All 914 problems All workshop issues

Critical Electrical

Generator/Alternator Failure

Symptoms

Battery goes flat, lights dim, engine dies.

Cause

Early 914s used a generator, later cars an alternator. Both are driven by the same belt that drives the cooling fan. If the belt breaks, you lose both charging and engine cooling simultaneously.

Fix

Replace the alternator or generator.

Carry a spare belt.

Cost: $200-$500 for alternator, $20-$50 for belt.

Cost mentioned in fix

Cost: $200-$500 for alternator$20-$50 for belt

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// More 914 problems

Other known issues

Minor Electrical

Headlight Pod Failure

The pop-up headlights fail to raise, lower, or operate unevenly.

Minor Rust

Battery Box and Front Boot Corrosion

The front boot floor, particularly the battery box area on the passenger side, develops severe corrosion. The metal becomes soft, perforated, and eventually structurally unsound.

Minor Rust

Rocker Panel (Sill) Corrosion

The sills that run beneath the doors become perforated from the inside out. By the time external rust is visible, the inner structure is often severely compromised.

Minor Rust

Longitudinal (Chassis Rail) Corrosion

The longitudinal chassis rails that run under the floor develop rust, perforation, and eventual structural failure.

Common Rust

Rear Boot Floor Corrosion

The rear boot (behind the engine bay) floor rusts through from standing water.

Common Engine (VW Type 4 Flat-Four)

D-Jetronic Fuel Injection Issues (1970-1973)

Rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, hard cold starting, surging at steady throttle, and inconsistent fuel mixture.

View all 14 914 problems