Date: Sat, 1 Aug 2009 13:36:44 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Alternator not putting out volts 88 GL
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reply-type=original
I would say it's important to have both screws holding the voltage regulator
in.
I have 'parts alternators' just for small parts like that. If you just can't
get one, I can supply the exact correct original type screw,
or likely, any rebuilder shop could too.
My preferred way to check changing voltage on any alternator-equipped
vehicle is to check voltage at the battery, with engine running.,
If you read battery voltage..........
( and don't fire up a car with an alternator with a known-discharged
battery ......
like you're going to use the alt to charge it up.........that's not what
alternators are designed to do, and I strongly recommend against it, and so
do professional automotive repair trade magazines. Charge the battery with
a battery charger .....or put in a charged one from another car ) ....
but .......if you get say 1.25 volts engine running, it's not charging. (
if you see 8 volts ......see what I wrote above . )
you would like to see 13.8 volts min.
and up to 14.5 volts max.
If it looks like it's charging......say you get 13.8 volts...leave it
running, and turn on the lights, .....see if it'll hold 13.8 volts with
lights on, then try high beams -
if it maintains an acceptable charging voltage with head lights on
.......it's working just fine.
warning lights ......
Many many people don't know that you're not supposed to just hop in, put the
key in, and turn it straight to 'start.'
What you are supposed to do is, turn on the key, and observe that the
Battery/alternator ( little battery icon ) and the Oil Pressure light are
on , and the flashing red light in the temp gauge are is flashing.
THEN you start the engine. The very first thing you are watching for is the
oil light goes out. Making sure there is oil pressure is THE first thing you
watch for firing up ANY engine, if there is any kind of warning light or
gauge.
Then check the battery/attenuator light is out.
It is very normal on some vanagons, to have to rev the engine once, to get
the battery/alternator warning light to go out.
( many vanagons have the OXS < oxygen sensor miles counter > light come on
with the alternator warning light - totally normal )
The owner manual tells some of this of course.
have fun, do good work ! Stay cool.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bobby Brown" <bobbybrown1@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 12:57 PM
Subject: Re: Alternator not putting out volts 88 GL
> Sorry but I thought I was following list protocol by putting the year in
> the
> subject line.
> 88 GL Wolfsburg
>
> I am also fairly virgin on these vans. I don't know where the alt light is
> in the dash.
>
> Grounds look fair to me. The ground from battery to body is solid. From
> transmission to body is dirty, but I don't think corroded. From the last
> time I checked the grounds in the dash, it looked good.
>
> Would a missing screw from the voltage regulator be an issue. I thought it
> was supposed to have 2 screws holding to the alternator. Mine (new) only
> has
> one. Are the brushes making proper contact.
>
> FYI....the cable from the alternator to the starter (which I believe goes
> to
> the battery) has power, as I accidentally arched it on the alternator.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Bobby
>
> On Sat, Aug 1, 2009 at 1:27 PM, Doug <vanagons@cox.net> wrote:
>
>> Bobby,
>> Does your alt. light on the dash come on, and stay on?
>> How are the grounds to your engine?
>> What shape is the ground cluster under the dash in?
>> Of course, we all need to know what year Vanagon it is!
>> Doug
>>
>>
>>
>> Bobby Brown wrote:
>>
>>> 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.
>>>
>>> I can't find any archived info on samba or the list. Maybe I am looking
>>> searching correctly.
>>>
>>> So...where do I go from here? Any help would be appreciated. I don't
>>> mean
>>> to
>>> use up bandwidth for something already discussed, but I just don't have
>>> my
>>> Bentley.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Bobby Brown
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Bobby Brown
| 
