Date:         Thu, 9 Sep 2004 23:19:44 -0400
Reply-To:     Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Voltage regulator?

Today, after a number of normal short trips in my '85 Westy, I parked in
front of discount store for a time and upon emerging, found the battery had
discharged to the point it would not crank the engine.  The battery is not
old.  Being in a hurry to go to the airport to pick up an arriving visitor,
I just went back into the store and bought another battery.  (I'll hook up
one as an aux battery soon)

I noticed that there was a small spark when making the final (ground)
connection to the battery and heard the fridge relay click with each touch
of the negative cable to the battery post.  I then noticed that, upon
turning on the ignition, there was the oil light but no alternator or OXY
light.

I went to the airport and picked up my friend then drove the 50 miles back
home.  It was raining heavily and I had the headlights and wipers on.  I
could shut down and restart with all sounding normal, but, still no ALT or
OXY light.

It appears to me that the contacts in the voltage regulator have fused
connecting the battery and the alternator at all times, so I disconnected
the battery cable and came in out of the rain.

Does it sound like a voltage regulator problem to you guys?

Mike

'84 GL 7 pass
'85 GL Westy
'00 GLS Beetle