Vanagon EuroVan
Previous (more recent) messageNext (less recent) messagePrevious (more recent) in topicNext (less recent) in topicPrevious (more recent) by same authorNext (less recent) by same authorPrevious page (November 2005, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Tue, 1 Nov 2005 07:31:49 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Charging Strangeness
Comments: To: Jon Kanas <kanas@QADAS.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Your diagnosis is probably correct, but more data would be a "good thing". Have you had any other problems due to a low battery? One LED is a rather flimsy indicator of the overall charging behavior. Make some voltage measurements and report them to the list for evaluation: Battery voltage when it has been resting for an hour or so Battery voltage with engine at normal idle speed. Battery voltage with engine at about 2000 rpm. Voltage at the big red wire on the alternator at both above speeds.

By the way, you can pull out the brush/regulator assembly without removing the alternator.

HTH, Larry A.

Jon Kanas wrote:

> Good Day Vanagonites, > > The 1987 Syncro has developed an unusual charging behavior. When as > lower than average RPM (ie letting clutch out when leaving from a light, > but before getting on the gas) the charging LED in the dash comes on. > When the charging LED is on, the alternator is obviously not working > (lights dim, reduced whine etc). As soon as the engine comes over about > 1000 RPM the charging LED extinguishes and normal charging returns. It > will occasionally flicker again at around 1800 RPM. I have retensioned > the belt and verified clean and tight connections everywhere. > > I am guessing that the brush pack in the alternator may be worn out ( It > does have a brushpack / regulator screwed into the back of the > alternator, right?) and need replacement. Before I pull the alternator > and check the brush pack etc, I wanted to inquire with the list to see > if these symptoms might be pointing at a different problem. Please > advise at your convenience. Any suggestions for obtaining a brushpack > or replacement alternator also welcome. > -- > > Best Regards, > Jon B Kanas > > Longmont, Colorado; Cultural Center of the Universe > Email: kanas@qadas.com <mailto:kanas@qadas.com> > Website: http://www.qadas.com/~kanas <http://www.qadas.com/%7Ekanas> > AOL Instant Messenger ID: KanasColo >


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.