Date:         Tue, 22 Feb 2000 20:51:45 -0600
Reply-To:     Joel Walker <jwalker@URONRAMP.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joel Walker <jwalker@URONRAMP.NET>
Subject:      Re: oxygen sensor and alternator lights
Comments: To: "MOST,DAVID" <most@UCLA.EDU>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> Both of my '87 vanagons have always done this, and I have not had any
> alternator problems.  Maybe I've just been lucky.

well, the alternator light staying on is normal. don't recall the oxs light
staying on, but it's grounded via the same path as the alternator light.
what happens is that the alternator has a "threshhold" rpm (actually stamped
on the info plates on the alternator). this rpm has to be reached before the
alternator is 'self-exciting', that is, producing enough volts to charge the
battery AND supply itself with electricity. prior to that rpm, the
alternator is sucking volts out of the battery ... which is what the LED
signifies. once over the threshhold (blip the throttle a little bit), and
the light goes out.