Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:08:55 -0800
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: alternator light problem
In-Reply-To: <COL109-W252CA97F7D78F4DC173AB1D4C90@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Every so often, Subaru conversions are mentioned here on the regular
Vanagon list. Others have directed Brett to the Subie Conversion list,
which has gigs of rap on those conversions.
I subscribe there also, in Digest mode, because I've toyed with perhaps
someday installing a Subaru into a Vanagon, and I like to read and learn
from those who post on that list as they sort out their conversions, see
how it's going for them.
It's my own opinion, from a few years of monitoring that list and it's
discussion of installing a Subaru motor into a vanagon and making it work
properly....that that type conversion seems to be, in many cases, not
especially straight forward. I know there are others here on the Vanagon
list who're interested in re-powering their vanagons. Subie conversions
are probably the most talked-about, the most widely done.
It seems to me, from my monitoring of the Subie Vanagon list, that there
are often lots and lots problems, of a wide variety, that arise,
unanticipated, with the interface when the Subaru motors as they are
installed into the Vanagon chassis. Even the professional conversion shops
often seem to get returns on customer's vehicles. They are charging
somewhere ~$6k-$10k to stick a motor into a vanagon for their clients.
There are complicated interface issues that can occur trying install and
then to make a Subie behave and perform in a Vanagon...I suggest that
anyone who's reading this and considering installing (or having someone
else do it for you) a Subaru should maybe go over to the subaru Vanagon
list and watch for a while, see what others who are further along in the
process are experiencing. Worth a look.
Yes, I know....Nobody posts on the Subaru Vanagon list if they *aren't*
having issues...and there are many many happy Vanagon with Subaru-drivers
out there now who's issues are all sorted out, maybe even a few who never
had any issues at all?....
...a little time spent reading the Subie/vanagon conversion posts might be
informative.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/subaruvanagon/
Don Hanson
On Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 6:07 PM, brett rueff <rueffy@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Hi All....about to go through a trouble shoot and thought I would see what
> the list thinks first.
> I have a 91 Vanagon with a EJ22. The alternator is from the subaru but it
> still connects (somehow?) into the stock VW dash light for the alternator.
> My alternator bearing went last week and I had it rebuilt. Put the new
> alternator in, start, light goes out as its supposed to. Go for a
> drive....after about 5 minutes light starts to come on dimly at first and
> within 5 minutes is on full bright. Go back to the house, pullout
> voltmeter - while running output is 14.2V at alternator and 14.0V at the
> battery under passenger seat.....so alternator seems to be working fine.....
> where to start?
> BrettVancouver
