Date:         Sun, 22 Jan 2006 16:29:18 -0800
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: FIXED?  (and, advice needed...)
Comments: To: Wesley Pegden <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <43D41573.20703@cs.uchicago.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Yes, with an 84 like yours I would strongly consider upgrading the wire
from the alternator to what VW did in later years. Starting with mid 86
models they ran a thicker wire straight from the alternator to the
starter motor. In yours they 2 used smaller wires running first over to
the wiring box ahead of the coil and then just 1 small wire from there
back to the starter. Too long of a run for that small of a wire. Just
add an extra 10 gauge or even 8 gauge wire from the alternator to the
starter. The charging current then goes from the starter to the battery
over the main heavy black wire that also powers the starter during
cranking. VW also made that wire bigger starting in 86 but that was
because of the bigger 2.1 engine and bigger starter needing more current
from the battery than 1.9 models.

Mark

Wesley Pegden wrote:

> So...
> It seems my starting problems have been resolved... after changing the
> alternator and letting the battery get a good charge.  I'm still
> wondering about changing the wire between the alternator and the
> battery, to avoid future problems like this.  My voltage at the
> alternator is 14.0 volts, and at the battery is 13.25.  What do people
> think?