Date:         Mon, 1 Apr 2013 16:47:44 -0500
Reply-To:     Jack Botts <johnnyjewel43@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jack Botts <johnnyjewel43@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: charging light flickers
In-Reply-To:  <5D06A7DF-C946-4961-965A-8ECE24FC0D3C@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

It may be a good idea to start with the cheap and easys. I had the flickering light, and it was due to the wire connection for the light failing at the alternator -- under the shrink tube. Doesn't explain all the symptoms, but failed junctions are always a good thing to check out.
Jack

> Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:34:30 -0700
> From: rcj.yes@GMAIL.COM
> Subject: charging light flickers
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> I have a 91 Weekender. In the past few years, it has not been driven much and even less during Winter. Lately, the charging LED on the dash flickers. At > 40 mph it will go out, but comes back on. Last night near the end of a short drive, the headlights dimmed and the car lost power and died. Pushed it to the curb and came back this AM to evaluate. It started up okay and I was able to drive home- yay! LED still flickering so I do not want to drive anywhere I could get really stuck.
> 
> I checked battery voltage - it is just hair under 12V (11.95). Is this low enough to implicate a battery change? Or, should I be concerned about the alternator? How does one test alternator function at home?
> 
> Any suggestions welcome.
> 
> thank you -
> Ron Johnson
> Portland, OR
> 
> 91 Weekender - Betsy