Date:         Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:17:51 -0700
Reply-To:     neil <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: alternator....electrical woes....
Comments: To: Mark Drillock <mdrillock@cox.net>
In-Reply-To:  <461FA7CC.6030507@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Outstanding!

And an interesting point.

I'll double check the multipoint connector et al at inst. cluster.

It could be that my wrestling under dash has loosened something too.

I sure hope I have the large guage wire I repaired, connected to the
correct fuse.

I disconnected wire in question from pos. clamp at starter batt. and
other end from fuse panel. Meter showed continuity.

Was this the correct method?

If I have the #8R wire from battery connected to INcorrect fuse, I'd
know. (smoke, wrath of Kahn). Correct?

Any input/help towards that MUCH appreciated and I fully understand
that if I fry something, its ALL my doing and NOT related to info
dispersed here.


Neil.

On 4/13/07, Mark Drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
> The charging system operation of our vehicles is a little more subtle
> than most realize. The dash instrument cluster is REQUIRED for
> alternator charging to take place. The instrument cluster has a circuit
> built into it that provides the initial field activation current for the
> alternator so charging mode starts up. If the wiring connection between
> the circuit foil in the dash and the alternator is faulty, the
> alternator will never start charging.
>
> In other words the alt led on the dash is not just an indication that
> the alternator is/isn't charging, it is part of what makes the
> alternator work.
>
> Mark
>
> neil wrote:
>
> > ...........
> > I wondered if aux battery might have been run too low for charging
> > systeme to deal with.
> >
> > I will check/do those things and also measure if 12V coming from blue
> > wire with engine running. Something I was wondering about.
> >
> > Thanks again,
> >
> > Neil.
> >
> >
> > On 4/12/07, Mark Drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
> >
> >> Neil, don't panic it is probably something simple.
> >>
> >> First, charge the batteries if they need it.
> >>
> >> Then unhook the blue wire from any camper related stuff you connected it
> >> to. Now, does the alt led come on when the key is on but engine not
> >> running? If not, how about the ox and oil pressure lights?
> >>
> >> Mark
> >>
> >>.............
>


--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil