Date:         Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:58:01 -0400
Reply-To:     Bobby Brown <bobbybrown1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bobby Brown <bobbybrown1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Alternator Light Just Came On
Comments: To: inua@charter.net
In-Reply-To:  <4A7F8F48.2000001@westyventures.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

 John,

After my 6 week experiment with a new battery and new alternator, I would
offer the following.


   1. With engine running, check volts at the battery. Red lead on positive,
   black lead on ground. Anything less than 13+ volts, means alternator is not
   putting proper volts to battery.
   2. Check the blue exciter wire to make sure it is properly connected to
   the spade terminal on the back of the alternator. This was my problem. If
   this wire is not connected, correctly, system will not charge. The female
   spade terminal on my blue wire broke off and disconnected.
   3. Check all grounds. ALL GROUNDS. ALL of them.
   4. Then take the alternator to FLAPS and have them bench test.
   5. Many times, the failing alternator is a result of worn brushes on the
   voltage regulator. Many alternators can be "repaired" by replacing the
   brushes or the whole regulator itself.
   6. If still no resolve, start tracing your charging wires.
   7. If still no resolve, I was also advised the dash board bulb itself can
   be burned out, causing the whole system not to charge.

Just my .02. Quite likely, it's a "simple" fix, but a matter of finding it.
--
Bobby Brown