Date:         Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:55:03 -0800
Reply-To:     Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 1985- Flickering battery + OXY lights
Comments: To: AAG - Larry Word <word_aag@comcast.net>
In-Reply-To:  <001601c85fa1$045609e0$6501a8c0@WordHomePC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Larry -

My 84 Westy exhibited the same problems as your 85 two years ago (has the
same alternator yours).  I was (as usual) on the road in the middle of
nowhere (cross-country trip), but I had a spare alternator on-hand and
quickly changed it out and the problem disappeared.

Removed the Voltage Regulator/Brush assembly later on and saw the brushes
had been worn down, but not severely enough, but just enough for
intermittent contact with the slip rings they ride on.  Slip rings
(commutator for you generator-heads) were kinda grooved, like a phonograph
record (remember those?), not smooth like they're supposed to be.  Exchanged
the alternator for a fresh rebuild, installed it and put the spare back
under the rear seat box for another "rainy" day.

And yes, the BATT/OXY Lights do work together in this instance, like Mike
Collum's post describes.  I like that feature as it grabs your attention.
--
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 25, 2008 2:24 PM, AAG - Larry Word <word_aag@comcast.net> wrote:

> Occasionally, on my daily driver 1985 Vanagon, I get these two lights....
>
> They flicker so lightly you think its only your imagination but then they
> flicker again.
>
> My alternator appears to be OK, although I've not had that checked yet -
> but I'm still cranking good and its cold here in Ga.
>
> So....what does this mean?  Does the Oxy + Batt. lights "always"
> work/light together?  If its the OXY, how do you re-set this....my van has
> lots of miles and I've never re-set the OXY "box"....
>
> Educate me please ....
>
> Larry
> Ga.