Date:         Tue, 1 Jan 2002 15:31:35 EST
Reply-To:     Rogerspace2@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Reynolds <Rogerspace2@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Warning lights problem(s)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hi all,

I am having trouble tracking down a problem with my warning lights and
charging system in my "new" '89 Westy.   Last week on a three hour drive, the
alternator light began coming on when the RPMs dropped below about 1500.
Over the course of the trip, it would start to come on at higher and higher
RPMs until in the end, it remained on all of the time.  After driving in stop
and go traffic with the lights on for about 30 mins the headlights dimmed so
we found a place to pull over and when I signaled to turn the turn indicator
came on but did not flash.  We got just into a parking lot and then lost
power completely.  We pushed it the rest of the way (having owned several old
VWs this is something that we have become very good at doing) into the lot
and it would not turn over.  After about 45mins I was able to restart and the
alternator light stayed off until we got where we were headed 5 miles down
the road.  On the trip home the next day, the light did essentially the same
thing, with it staying on constantly after about an hour.

When we got home, I charged up the battery (which was way down) and the light
stays on all of the time now.  I performed the troubleshooting described in
the Bentley manual: tightened the belt first, then tried disconnecting all of
the alternator wiring, but the light never went off.

Also happening: the coolant level warning light blinks whenever the ignition
is switched on and the oil light blinks on as I switch the ignition on but
then goes off (engine not running).  The battery will take and hold a charge
but runs down while the engine is running.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Roger

'89 Westy
'66 Beetle