Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2011 15:31:02 -0800
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: Voltage regulator or some other electrical issue??
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I haven't seen anyone say anything about ground connections...
or any connections.
whenever there is total weirdness going on ..
like all this gauge and light stuff ..
I tend to think more about connections.
granted, you could have a faulty alternator/ or volt regulator, or battery
...
however...
what you describe is not what a normal 'alternator is not charging battery'
situation looks like usually.
I would check ..
battery connections ..
battery ground to body connection.
transmission to frame ground cable, at both ends.
ground cable on the left side of the engine ( not likely to be a problem
...but worth checking )
and for sure, a very simple and even inexpensive volt meter connected to
the battery to check charging voltage is very useful.
so are the ones that plug into your cigarette lighter.
there has to be at least 13.8 volts going to the battery with engine
running.
If there isn't ...
work on that ..which usually means alternator and/or voltage regulator.
I use either Bosch rebuilt units that I buy exchange..
or I take my alternator to a good local electrical rebuilding shop.
I would never buy a vanagon alternator at a FLAPS.
unless it was an emergency ..
but I keep a good back-up alternator around anyway. Good thing to have
sometimes.
I must have half a dozen of them ..
they're easy to find or get generally speaking. the 90 amp vanagon one is
on many VW models.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Annie" <lsandrsn@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2011 10:47 AM
Subject: Re: Voltage regulator or some other electrical issue??
> Ok. I'll have things tested and see what happens.
>
> BTW - this is the alternator -
> http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/ULT1/14778.oap?year=1985&make=Volkswagen&model=Vanagon&vi=1286445&ck=Search_01468_1286445_3686&pt=01468&ppt=C0330
>
> *Wishing you success, love + fire in your belly*
> *Annie Anderson* ~ Blogger, Designer, Thinker + Mom
> Lover of cats, Apple, coffee, old VW's and biking.
> Driver of Bartok ~ 1985 VW Vanagon GL
> web: Bartok's Adventures <local.annieandersonblog.com/wp> email:
> lsandrsn@gmail.com
> *Blazin' a trail where there is no path.*
>
> On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 10:35 AM, Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 10:27 AM, Annie <lsandrsn@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> If indeed I do need to replace voltage regulator, though, the local
>>> FLAPs
>>> has an AC Delco for $79 and an Import Direct brand for $49. What is
>>> recommended?
>>>
>>
>> The voltage regulator/brush pack that is on your alternator looks like
>> this:
>> <
>> http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_105_245/voltage_regulator_bosch__see_description.html
>> >
>>
>> The regulator part rarely fails but the brushes do wear down, the most
>> common failure in an alternator. It is highly unlikely that the brushes
>> have failed this soon. If the regulator needs replacing it is part of
>> the
>> alternator and should be included in any warranty.
>>
