Date:         Mon, 24 May 2004 17:42:02 -0400
Reply-To:     Laurence Smith <laurence@ALANASMITH.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Laurence Smith <laurence@ALANASMITH.COM>
Subject:      Re: Interesting '87 Westy charging problem
Comments: To: Martin Wilson <martin_wilson@TELUS.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <000c01c441ca$113ebce0$29d5b440@computer>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Check the ground on the fridge relay under driver's seat.  It goes to
ignition terminal 50 (then the starter)...who knows why VW designed it
this way....

This circuit uses the alt D+ wire and can cause strange charging and
dash light behaviour - a reverse electrical flow perhaps.  I had a
somewhat similar problem as you until I grounded the fridge relay to
the body.

- Laurence

----------------------------------------
 Laurence Smith
 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
 90 Westy / 90 Subie 2.2 (in progress)
 87 GL / 91 Subie 2.2
----------------------------------------




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List
> [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Martin Wilson
> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 4:03 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Interesting '87 Westy charging problem
>
>
> 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
>