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Date:         Mon, 3 Feb 97 14:10:26 EST
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Sean Bartnik <sbart7kb@www.mwc.edu>
Subject:      Re: Alternator & EGR lights flashing?

Kyle, The reason that the alt. and EGR lights flash at the same time is because they are on the same circuit. Both come on as a bulb check when the key is first turned on. VW needed a convenient way to turn off the EGR bulb when the engine was started, so they tied it into the alternator light circuit, so that when the alternator starts charging both lights will go out at the same time. The EGR light is otherwise controlled by a mileage counter in line with the speedometer cable. Every 15,000 miles the mileage counter closes the circuit to the EGR light so that the EGR light will stay on when the engine is started.

Of course, it's not normal to have these lights flash when driving. That would indicate (to me, anyway) a loose connection somewhere that reveals itself as things are moving around. So, I would check the connections on the rear of the alternator (the alternator and voltage regulator are in the same unit). The light comes on when the battery is not being charged by the alternator, so you're moving something around so that it's coming loose and then at that moment the alternator is not charging the battery.

I'm not sure what the relation would be to the LED on the panel flashing. I'll let someone else attempt that one.

Sean

> > > Here's question that's beyond me. Ever since I got my 1980 VW camper > (last August), the alternator & EGR lights would flash together and at > the same rate. They don't flash all the time, maybe 1 out of 3 short > trips. > > I had the van worked on my a guy that knows vanagons pretty well, and he > said not to worry about it. Plus I just had a new battery put in three > weeks ago, and they checked out the alternator, and it is fine. > > Also, I just noticed that the red light that is the fourth light to the > bottom of the water lights(water tank) sometimes flashes at the same time > too. To be more specific it is behind the driver's seat, below the > stove. I think there are 3 lights for the water tank and the fourth one > is something else.? > > Anyway, if anyone has the same problem, or has any advice it would be > helpful. > > Thanks, > > Kyle > > khaskins@indiana.edu >


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