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Date:         Tue, 8 Jan 2008 13:25:08 -0500
Reply-To:     -------- <VW4X4@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         -------- <VW4X4@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Battery Light
Comments: To: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <d1ea9acf0801081008o64abd76eye0b3367808c94c3f@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

CRAIG,

You may want to read the fine print. SOme parts store say "

"lifetime replacement warranty"

but only one time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or I've seen it written only one time.................

craig cowan wrote:

>I bought one from my local FLAPS, rebuilt bosche for something like $120. >The great thing is, its got a lifetime replacement warranty, which i've >already used once (as i managed to kill an alternator in 2 weeks......i have >a skill.). >And that means nationwide, when my alternator dies, i'm only a few miles >from a free replacement! >(Though this way you dont get to carry a spare) > >-Craig >'85GL > >On Jan 8, 2008 12:20 PM, Kai Mei <kai@newclear.us> wrote: > > > >>Alternators seem to run $45 to $55 shipped on the Samba Classifieds. >>I just bought a rebuilt at a alternator store for $70. Is it quality >>rebuild?who knows? but it's quiet and putting out 14.2V at the >>battery, so I'm not complaining. >> >> >>On Jan 7, 2008, at 1:39 PM, Old Volks Home wrote: >> >> >> >>>Greg - >>> >>>Airhead Parts has a the Genuine Bosch Regulator for $53.74: >>> >>>http://www.airheadparts.com/viewDetail.asp? >>>strMasterCat=&idproduct=7748 >>> >>>Your 85 should have the same alternator that's on both my 84's >>>-- >>>Jim Thompson >>>84 GL 1.9 "Gloria" >>>84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt" >>>73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise" >>>72 411 Station Wagon "Pug" >>>oldvolkshome@gmail.com >>>http://www.oldvolkshome.com >>>*********************************** >>>On Jan 7, 2008 10:21 AM, Greg Potts <greg@pottsfamily.ca> wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>>>Hi John, >>>> >>>>OK, I've put a charged battery into it and the light is still on. The >>>>voltage at the battery is reading just barely above 12V which tells >>>>me the alternator is not doing its job. The light does not go out >>>>when the engine is revved up (which it did before the stall out on >>>>Jan 4th) but it does flicker a bit in brightness. >>>> >>>>The ground strap was loose on the original battery, but was not >>>>disconnected while the engine was running; The engine had already >>>>died out when I discovered it was not fully tightened down. I will be >>>>replacing it ASAP with a heavier and slightly longer cable. >>>> >>>>I don't have a spare VR on hand, and my local NAPA wants $49 for a >>>>BERU voltage regulator vs $89 for the Bosch regulator. Are these >>>>prices in line? I haven't yet looked close enough to determine which >>>>alternator i have. >>>> >>>>My local auto-electric rebuilder did the bosch alternator on my >>>>aircooled bus for $125 last summer so I'm thinking that would be a >>>>better choice. It doesn't look like the re-and-re will be all that >>>>much trouble and having the alternator completely redone seems like a >>>>better idea... >>>> >>>>Additional guidance appreciated... >>>> >>>>Happy Trails, >>>> >>>>Greg Potts >>>>1973/74/77/79 Westfakia "Bob The Tomato >>>>www.pottsfamily.ca >>>>www.busesofthecorn.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 5-Jan-08, at 12:03 AM, John Meeks wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>>Greg, >>>>>My money's on worn alternator brushes. Got a spare voltage >>>>>regulator? >>>>>Let us know what you find. >>>>>John >>>>> >>>>>On Jan 4, 2008 8:33 PM, Greg Potts <greg@pottsfamily.ca> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>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. >>>>>> >>>>>> > > >


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