Date:         Mon, 24 May 2004 13:02:39 -0700
Reply-To:     Martin Wilson <martin_wilson@TELUS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Martin Wilson <martin_wilson@TELUS.NET>
Subject:      Interesting '87 Westy charging problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi All

This one has me confounded and I've been a tech for 25+ years!

1. Van charging normally, left it for awhile whilst hiking on Mt. St Helens, restart and both battery warning and O2 sensor warning lights stay on.  Flicker and go off around 3500rpm.

2. Drive 150 miles as far as Mt. Vernon on I5, lights flickering and eventually staying on, not charging, voltage dropping until car dies from lack of volts.   Fit new battery and continue home to Vancouver BC.

3. Check charge, none, voltage around 12.1V when running, replaced alternator, now charging impressively with 13.9V at battery with all power on (lights, fans etc)

4. Problem is niether the battery warning light or the O2 light will go off, they remain shining brightly!  Tried disconnecting the warning light wire (D+) from the alternator, still no joy.  Check this wire for grounds, OK.  Disconnected the O2 sensor plug from the speedo cable thingy and the O2 light goes out but the alternator light stays on.  Removed the blue wire from the connector on the back of the instrument cluster (light goes out, therefor no short in cluster).

5. Blue wire (D+) must be grounding somewhere to light the warning light although all my static checks with an Ohm meter shows no grounds!!  Suggestions other than buying a Ford!!!


Martin