Date:         Mon, 7 Sep 2009 19:06:44 -0700
Reply-To:     Jesse Reynolds <jessreyn@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jesse Reynolds <jessreyn@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      86 Camper: Voltage light sending unit; fuel pressure emission
              test; for sale in California
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi all,

I am prepping my 1986 camper for sale. (If interested, see
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=266586452 and
http://picasaweb.google.com/jessreyn/2009VWVanForSale) Two things have
come up:

1) I believe that the fuel tank is not holding its pressure during the
California emissions test. If anyone has had this professionally
repaired, what is the ballpark cost?

2) A wire broke on a small box attached to my alternator, a box that
seems to function as the voltage warning light. It broke in a way that
can't seem to be repaired. I'd like to replace it, but am having a
tough time finding one from a used parts place without buying an
entire alternator.

What is it? And more importantly, where and how can I get one?

It is a black hard plastic box, about 3/4" x 3/4" x 1/4". It is
attached to a stud at the top of the alternator via a metal tab. It
has two wires coming out. One simply goes a few inches to a terminal
on the front (front is front!) of the alternator. The other (the one
that broke) goes to a wire that I presume goes up to the front to the
warning light. It is labeled Beru (brand), with a Beru part number,
and 2.2 [micro]F -- implying that it is a capacitor.

Most used parts shops consider something like this to be part of an
alternator, and thus won't split it off. One shop sent me one without
selling me a complete alternator. But this one only has one short wire
coming out of it.

Do I just need to buy a complete alternator?

Thanks all,
- Jesse