From: Stephen Steele <steeles@horizonview.net> Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:20:20 -0400 To: "dhanson@gorge.net" <dhanson@GORGE.NET> Subject: Re: Stuck in Alturas with electrical mystery DH: Sure sounds like an alternator to me. Very easy to check, even with your limited resources in "a pretty small town with just a few mechanics". Low output to the battery would cause the symptoms you have experienced. Fist clue is that at idle (no/low load) the light stays off; which continues on to full on as the load increases... the idiot light is doing it's job. Second clue is that switching the battery extended your driving time. My $.02 says it's the alternator. Check the output at the positive side of the battery or on the back of the alternator... you're looking for amps here not volts... you do not mention year or model... Westies have bigger amp alternators... not sure of the numbers as my Bentley is not with me at the present. Charge your batteries...drive to a town with a big enough parts store that would have a Bosch alternator... easy change out and drive on home.
Stephen Steele Chillicothe OH '89 Westy no name yet '73 Sportsmobile Pop Top... Creamsicle? '91 Caravelle "Hans"... FS '90 Carat "Parts" '74 MGB My first car...yep, I've kept it since '74 '00 Jetta TDi daily driver '02 Jetta Wagon VR6 Wife's car Ex Vans/VWs: '81 Vanagon from 1985-1990 '84 Westfalia "Fritz" 2000-2004 now with Son #1 '87 Westfalia "Franz" 2002-2005 now with Son #2 '88 Jetta GL 1990-1992 '92 Jetta GL 1992-1998 '90 Jetta 1999-2003 '91 Jetta Diesel STOLEN 10-12-06 '81 Rabbit diesel 1999-2003 '82 Caddy VW Diesel P.U. 1999-2004 |
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