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Date:         Wed, 5 Aug 2009 09:50:46 -0400
Reply-To:     pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Update: Alternator not putting out volts 88 GL
Comments: To: Bobby Brown <bobbybrown1@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <10067eb80908050547q13e43bfo70034327720524b1@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

That blue wire has to be hooked up to start the mag field in the rotor. Once energized, the stator provides the current to the rotor. But, the blue needs to provide the initial current to get the ball rolling.

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Bobby Brown Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 8:48 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Update: Alternator not putting out volts 88 GL

Jim,

Thanks for the photos. Based on your photos, I am suspecting my blue idiot alternator wire was previously disconnected because it was probably broken. I am more of the thinking to keep this brick as OEM as possible (that is, until the Bostig slush fund is ready!) and I would like this to work. So...I might test or replace this wire to ensure it is working.

Does this blue wire have any function other than indicating a charging problem? Or does it actually perform a function that "completes" the whole charging function?

Too bad you're in Wilmington and I am in Hickory. I am still looking for a Van wrenching buddy here.

Bobby

On Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 8:32 AM, Jim Johnston <inmytree1@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Bobby, > > The blue wire from the alternator leads to the black box in the engine > compartment. Seen here: > > > http://picasaweb.google.com/inmytree1/SubaruToVanagonWiring#5333239851460317 186 > > These are the wires that should go to the alternator: > > > http://picasaweb.google.com/inmytree1/SubaruToVanagonWiring#5333240338240080 386 > > Notice the broken blue idiot wire, not an uncommon phenomenon. > > Hope that helps a bit, > > Jim > Wilmington, NC > > > On Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 7:36 AM, Bobby Brown <bobbybrown1@gmail.com>wrote: > >> All: >> I am going through the procedure to clean and reinstall all my grounds. So >> far, it is evident to me this had already been done by previous owner. I >> am >> thinking this will not solve my problem. >> >> I will complete this exercise, regardless. Clean all connections, replace >> questionable terminals, add extra ground, lube all connections with >> dielectric grease. >> >> Electricity is voodoo to me. I can't see it. In my mind, I likely have one >> of two problems because the alternator passed test on the bench and is >> also >> putting out volts (at the alternator itself) according to the test meter >> while in operation on the van. >> >> >> 1. Exciter wire is not hooked up properly or is broken somewhere. Where >> does this blue wire go from the alternator? Do I understand correctly >> this >> wire is connected by small ring terminal to one of the small "case" >> studs on >> the alternator? >> 2. Or, current from the alternator is not completing circuit back to the >> >> >> battery. Which wire(s) off the alternator go to the battery? I did >> accidentally arc the cable from the starter on the alternator and have >> since >> replaced that terminal, so I am thinking the "other" cable that goes >> across >> the engine and disappears into the frame might be the wire taking >> current to >> the battery? Should I just replace all the wires coming off the >> alternator? >> >> >> Thanks and any information is greatly appreciated. >> >> On Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 9:48 PM, Bobby Brown <bobbybrown1@gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >> > Donnie, >> > I now have very similar circumstances. I don't think my blue wire was >> ever >> > connected previously. >> > >> > Now my battery light and OXS light are on constantly and the FLAPS >> > alternator test machine says the alternator is not putting out volts. >> > >> > So I am seriously stumped. Will advise when I learn more. >> > >> > Bobby >> > >> > >> > On Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 7:28 PM, Donnie Evans <fullmetalbuddha@live.com >> >wrote: >> > >> >> *Dear sir,* >> >> * I was just put on the vanagon so Im not quite sure how this thing >> is >> >> working... but I have an issue with my vanagon, 84, 1.9l* >> >> * The blue wire to alternator was broken, so I fixed it and now the >> >> battery and the OXS lights flicker randomly. And if I let it idle or >> come to >> >> a red light the battery and OXS lights come on solid until I rev the >> engine >> >> or accelerate.* >> >> * Any ideas? or maybe you can forward this to the right person to >> ask? >> >> Any help is greatly appreciated.* >> >> * Thanks* >> >> ** >> >> >> >> > Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2009 17:33:11 -0400 >> >> > From: bobbybrown1@GMAIL.COM >> >> > Subject: Re: Alternator not putting out volts 88 GL >> >> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >> >> > >> >> > Alternator still not putting out volts to the system. >> >> > Battery light on the dash just stays on, indicating a charging >> problem. >> >> > >> >> > More checking, I guess. >> >> > >> >> > Bobby >> >> > >> >> > On Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 12:40 AM, Bobby Brown <bobbybrown1@gmail.com> >> >> wrote: >> >> > >> >> > > Gregory, >> >> > > That's a BIG 10-4 on the little blue wire. I am about the 4th owner >> of >> >> this >> >> > > van and I steady trying to rectify Previous Owners duct tape, >> hot-wire >> >> & >> >> > > lazy repairs and maintenance. >> >> > > >> >> > > The little blue wire on my van has NO terminal. And I dang sure >> don't >> >> > > remember it being connected to JACK previously. >> >> > > >> >> > > So for a quick test after midnight...I stripped some of the wire >> off, >> >> > > loosened the nut off the small stud to the right of the proper >> "Red" >> >> wire >> >> > > connectors and wrapped the blue wire round and tightened her up. >> >> > > >> >> > > At this point, the van does NOW have the "battery" light indicating >> >> with >> >> > > key "on". >> >> > > >> >> > > So....maybe a trip back to the FLAPS and have them test again. >> Gotta >> >> go >> >> > > there tomorrow anyway to get some new ring connectors. >> >> > > >> >> > > Gregory...BIG THANKS my man. BIG THANKS to all the list members. >> Y'all >> >> are >> >> > > bringing me along like a new baby calf in the herd. >> >> > > >> >> > > Bobby >> >> > > >> >> > > On Sat, Aug 1, 2009 at 10:28 PM, Gregory Smith < >> gfs@gregoryfsmith.com >> >> >wrote: >> >> > > >> >> > >> A couple of things: >> >> > >> >> >> > >> . Always disconnect the battery ground wire from the (-) battery >> >> terminal >> >> > >> before working on your alternator or starter. This wil prevent the >> >> arcing >> >> > >> which can cause a fair amount of damage or a fire. >> >> > >> . The big red wire(s) to the alternator goes to the starter >> >> (sometimes 2 >> >> > >> wires and another to the A/C toward the left side) and therefore >> on >> >> to the >> >> > >> battery, it will be live with (+) any time the battery is hooked >> up. >> >> > >> . The smaller light blue wire should have a ring terminal >> connector, >> >> it >> >> > >> goes to the small stud on the right on the alt. This is the >> "exciter" >> >> wire >> >> > >> and if it's disconnected, the dash light won't, and the alt. won't >> >> charge. >> >> > >> Check to make sure this smaller wire is connected and doesn't have >> a >> >> break >> >> > >> in it. >> >> > >> . You mentioned your voltage regulator is missing a screw, and so >> it >> >> could >> >> > >> be installed incorrectly (brushes not making contact) or some >> >> regulators >> >> > >> have a ground ring/tab under one of the screws that could be >> missing >> >> on >> >> > >> yours. So find a screw that matches and install it. Remember to >> >> disconnect >> >> > >> the (-) battery cable before doing this. >> >> > >> . The big red wires connect to a stud on the starter, where a >> larger >> >> red >> >> > >> wire then connects to the battery, this is how the voltage from >> the >> >> > >> alternator gets to the battery. Make sure these connections are >> >> tight. >> >> > >> >> >> > >> If all else fails, take the alternator to a shop and have it >> tested. >> >> > >> Usually if it doesn;t work it's the regulator/brush pack. The >> brushes >> >> have >> >> > >> a minimum length, I think it's about 5mm. They should be the same >> >> length if >> >> > >> you check this. >> >> > >> >> >> > >> Hope this helps, mine is also an '88. >> >> > >> >> >> > >> Gregory Smith >> >> > >> >> >> > >> Smith Design Studio >> >> > >> Small Building Company >> >> > >> Olympia, WA >> >> > >> 360-239-0429 >> >> > >> gregoryfsmith.com >> >> > >> >> >> > >> -------- Original Message -------- >> >> > >> Subject: Re: Alternator not putting out volts 88 GL >> >> > >> From: Bobby Brown <bobbybrown1@gmail.com> >> >> > >> Date: Sat, August 01, 2009 6:13 pm >> >> > >> To: "Geo & Kathleen Hahn" <ahwahnee@cybertrails.com>, Scott >> Daniel - >> >> > >> Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>, pdooley < >> psdooley@verizon.net >> >> >, >> >> > >> Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com>, Gregory Smith < >> >> gfs@gregoryfsmith.com> >> >> > >> Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com >> >> > >> >> >> > >> First of all...thanks to you all for your responses and >> >> encouragement. I >> >> > >> am trying to maintain my cool, because I am also unexpectedly >> having >> >> a "no >> >> > >> fuel" problem in my ROCK STEADY STABLE 84' MK1 Rabbit GTi...SAME >> DAY! >> >> He >> >> > >> won't crank...but anyway. >> >> > >> To answer some questions. The van does not light the "Alt" or >> >> "Battery" or >> >> > >> "Charging" light with the key "ON" and no cranking. The cable that >> >> comes >> >> > >> from the left side of the engine bay and presumably comes from the >> >> fuse >> >> > >> panel also does not show any voltage when removed from the >> alternator >> >> and >> >> > >> the key "on". I guess those two make sense? >> >> > >> >> >> > >> The van cranks and runs "fine" otherwise. But I guess that's >> because >> >> I >> >> > >> have a brand new battery in there. I will take the advice of a >> >> battery >> >> > >> charger, because I have always wanted one anyway and now have a >> good >> >> excuse. >> >> > >> Until I get this problem resolved, I could trickle charge the >> battery >> >> > >> overnight to maintain it's good status. >> >> > >> >> >> > >> I guess I should also simply double check all my ground straps, >> >> although, >> >> > >> I have to admit I really don't know what that means. I guess I >> will >> >> remove >> >> > >> them, clean them and replace? >> >> > >> >> >> > >> Thanks for all the support and if anybody ever gets stranded near >> >> Hickory, >> >> > >> NC and I mean anybody...even those who have not posted on my >> issue, >> >> please >> >> > >> don't hesitate to contact me. I will help in any way I can. >> >> > >> >> >> > >> Thanks, Bobby. >> >> > >> >> >> > >> On Sat, Aug 1, 2009 at 4:56 PM, Geo & Kathleen Hahn < >> >> > >> ahwahnee@cybertrails.com> wrote: >> >> > >> >> >> > >>> This is really basic, but just to be sure you're not missing >> >> something -- >> >> > >>> did you blip the idle to raise RPMs before you checked the >> voltage? >> >> i.e. >> >> > >>> simply starting the engine and measuring the voltage at idle >> won't >> >> do it. >> >> > >>> >> >> > >>> Geo >> >> > >>> >> >> > >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bobby Brown" < >> >> bobbybrown1@GMAIL.COM> >> >> > >>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> >> >> > >>> Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 9:45 AM >> >> > >>> Subject: Alternator not putting out volts 88 GL >> >> > >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > >>>> Sorry folks, but my Bentley is with a friend as he rebuilds his >> >> WBXer. >> >> > >>>> New Battery. New Alternator. Both test out good. Bench tested >> the >> >> > >>>> alternator >> >> > >>>> at the parts store from where it came. >> >> > >>>> >> >> > >>>> But, with everything hooked back up and the vehicle running, the >> >> > >>>> battery/alternator tester says the alternator is not putting out >> >> volts. >> >> > >>>> None. >> >> > >>>> >> >> > >>>> >> >> > >>> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> -- >> >> > >> Bobby Brown >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > -- >> >> > > Bobby Brown >> >> > > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > -- >> >> > Bobby Brown >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Get your vacation photos on your phone! Click here.< >> http://windowsliveformobile.com/en-us/photos/default.aspx?&OCID=0809TL-HM >> > >> >> >> > >> > >> > >> > -- >> > Bobby Brown >> > >> >> >> >> -- >> Bobby Brown >> > >

-- Bobby Brown


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