Date: Wed, 8 Jul 2020 12:01:36 -0600
Reply-To: Steve Williams <steve@WILLIAMSITCONSULTING.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve Williams <steve@WILLIAMSITCONSULTING.COM>
Subject: Re: Seeing Red
In-Reply-To: <CAK9Aa+np8spEa2sh=tPd1GutKxE_-2skh4Uu_XimH0QZrr0UpQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
Hi,
The blue wire also triggers the fridge relay in (at least) a late model
(1991) Westy.
That area could easily be a problem if there have been aftermarket
wiring mods (eg:Â Go-Westy solenoid battery isolator).
Cheers,
Steve W.
On 07/07/2020 1:12 p.m., Bruce Todd wrote:
> Thanks - I took the alternator in and got it serviced and as a result the
> red indicator light stops coming on and the battery is charging. There
> does seem to be a draw on the blue wire though which requires more work on
> my end to locate and fix.
>
> Thanks for the follow up. I'm getting pretty good at removing and
> installing my alternator.
>
> Bruce
>
> On Tue, Jul 7, 2020 at 9:03 AM OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Bruce
>>
>> Just in case Dennis is busy doing other stuff & not able to
>> respond soon >
>>
>> ReRead Denniss Post ~ The 3.5VDC on Blue Wire indicates that there is a
>> Prob'
>>
>> on that Circuit & the Alt' is unlikely @ Fault but check it by Jumping
>> 12VDC to
>>
>> Blue Wire Connector to see if it Wakes Up ~
>>
>>
>> On 5 Jul , 2020, at 2:41 PM, Bruce Todd wrote:
>>
>>> Voltage on blue wire disconnected from alternator with key on = 3.5
>>> volts. Voltage at alternator engine idling - blue wire off or on - 11.5
>>> volts.
>>>
>>> Will go see alternator repair shop tomorrow morning.
>>>
>>> Bruce
>>>
>>> On Sunday, July 5, 2020, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> The campers add a bit of bewilderment to the alternator activation and
>>>> warning light circuit. Yes, that is not just there for the warning
>> light.
>>>> The alternator needs a little bit of activation current to get the
>> magnetic
>>>> field from the rotor going.
>>>> For the campers this circuit is also used to operate the refrigerator
>>>> relay. That is why the light remains on when the blue wire is taken off
>> the
>>>> alternator. To make things a bit more difficult the ground for the
>> fridge
>>>> relay is through the starter solenoid. Combination of disable the fridge
>>>> during cranking and take the load off the activation circuit so that
>> maybe
>>>> as soon as it starts the alternator will kick in.
>>>>
>>>> You would hope the shop actually tested the alternator including under
>>>> load. Check the blue wire discounted that you have close to battery
>> voltage
>>>> on it key on. If not that is a problem. With the engine running you can
>>>> jump power to that terminal and see if the alternator starts. Rev it a
>>>> little. If not you likely have a problem with the alternator.
>>>>
>>>> Dennis
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
>> Bruce
>>>> Todd
>>>> Sent: Saturday, July 4, 2020 8:48 PM
>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>> Subject: Seeing Red
>>>>
>>>> Okay - First off - Happy 4th of July to all of you folks south of the
>>>> border.
>>>>
>>>> So I've been going hard on a number of repairs since posting about a
>>>> vibrating alternator and discovering a broken cradle bracket. You may
>>>> recall I upgraded the bracket and installed an additional supporting
>>>> bracket and then also took my alternator into a repair shop for
>> inspection
>>>> and service. Put everything back together - started everything up,
>> admired
>>>> the belts and the stability of the new bracket - but didn't travel
>>>> anywhere as I immediately began working on replacing the manifold intake
>>>> hose / boots. This included repainting the manifold, cleaning the top
>> of
>>>> the block, inspecting fuel lines and installing protective sheathing
>> over
>>>> the fuel lines which circulate fuel to the rails and injectors and
>>>> replaced the fuel hose that returns fuel from the fuel ring back to the
>>>> tank - and since I was in the neighbourhood - I also replaced the fuel
>>>> filter. I also renewed all the grommets on the injectors and injector
>>>> bracket.
>>>>
>>>> I also changed a small coolant hose - the upper most small elbow on the
>>>> expansion tank. So finally got everything back together - no more leaks
>>>> everything looking good...and went for a test drive. Quickly discovered
>>>> the battery indicator led is on...seeing red! Checked the voltage -
>> via a
>>>> battery tester, the type you plug into a cigarette outlet and saw
>>>> immediately the battery was not charging - I did not check voltage at
>> the
>>>> alternator because I no longer have an actual volt meter...(need to buy
>> a
>>>> new one). So checked the Bentley where it discusses trouble shooting
>>>> - and so I removed the wires from the alternator and then turned the
>>>> ignition switch to the on position and noted that the red battery
>> indicator
>>>> light stays on.
>>>>
>>>> What is the likelihood the alternator needs to go back to the repair
>> shop?
>>>> Seems odd but possibly something overlooked there - or could I have a
>>>> short somewhere?
>>>>
>>>> Bruce - 86 Westy Syncro (2.1)
>>>>
>>
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