Date:         Tue, 15 Feb 2005 12:20:54 -0700
Reply-To:     jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject:      Re: 82 diesel with alternator probs
Comments: To: Phil Krueger <vwuprising@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20050215185641.49204.qmail@web50202.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

On 2/15/05 11:56 AM, "Phil Krueger" <vwuprising@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> I have an 82 westy diesel that everything was working
> fine on until the alt light came on.  I tested the
> alt, which was bad and replaced it.  After replacing
> it, everything was fine for about a week where the
> light started to come back on dimly at first
> eventually brighter and eventually on full brightness
> again resulting in a bad alternator.  They are under
> warrantee but I have replaced 3 alternators and all
> follow the same pattern.  My wiring has not been
> messed with and I have found no obvious shorts.  Any
> suggestions or clues??  Thanks,
> 
> Phil
> 
This may sound strange but have that battery tested on a load tester.  A
FLAPS big inside the store battery tester, not the handheld
battery/alternator tester used at some flaps like autozone.  The big ones do
load testing at several test points of charge.  Or use an actual battery
load tester, these are hand held (but can get very hot).  I have seen
batteries that have enough to kick over the starter but would actually be
down to about 10 volts with little or no recovery.  Dirty contacts at the
battery or at the starter lug connection between the alt lead and the
battery lead can cause problems as well with charging, though not usually
this symptom.  

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
jimt
Planned insanity is best.
Remember that sanity is optional.
http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
http://www.westydriver.com