Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 20:34:32 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Battery Light
In-Reply-To: <8434A215-4C43-4FF9-8856-B25A26B811BC@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Not a lot of sense speculating since do a quick test or two is only
'tomorrow'.........
But if it ran without the battery being connected to the alternator, that
can harm an alternator. It's a standard rule to never disconnect the
battery while the engine is running on any car with an alternator, as that
can harm the alternator.
If the belt was super loose you'd think it would squeal after a cold
start up, giving you plenty of warning that it was loose.
You might check the alternator mounting bracket tightness too while
you're looking into that area.
8 passenger ? what's that ..........two 3-across rear seats plus two front
bucket seats ?
scott
www.turbovans.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Greg Potts
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 5:34 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Battery Light
Hi Volks,
I was driving the vanagon on the highway tonight and as I cruised up
the off-ramp I saw the battery warning light was on. I figured it had
spit the belt, and made a note to deal with it as soon as I got home,
since I was only a few miles further. And then as I pulled away from
the off-ramp, the light went out. Uh-oh, says I... That's the sign of
a wonky alternator, or a VERY loose belt. So I kept watch on the
tachometer to get an idea of how bad the problem was... it seemed to
vary a bit, lighting up when below 2,200 to 3,000 RPM.
But it didn't last 7 minutes before the engine quit completely. I
still had dash lights and emergency flashers (dim, and fast-
flashing), but the starter wouldn't even click. I checked the belts
and they were OK, but the battery connection was pretty loose. I
pried off the + terminal without much trouble at all. Luckily I was
very close to my brother's house at the time and he and I were able
to tow the vanagon back to my house.
So what's the prognosis? Did the loose battery terminal allow the
battery to run flat, or does this pattern indicate a failed
alternator? I can throw a spare marine battery into it tomorrow to
get it running again; once it's lit up I can put a voltmeter on it
and see if it's charging.
Happy Trails,
Greg Potts
1973/74/77/79 Westfakia "Bob The Tomato
1985 Sunroof Vanagon Automatic 8-passenger Vanagon (Winter custodian)
www.pottsfamily.ca
www.busesofthecorn.com
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