Date:         Tue, 25 Nov 1997 16:41:25 -0400
Reply-To:     Scott Chen <mac.chen@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Scott Chen <mac.chen@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      The light that cried wolf
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I have a slightly loose connection on one of the wires that attaches to the
alternator.  I've tried to tighten it, it's a spade connector, but when it
works loose, as it does now and then, the OXS and Battery lights come on.
I've learned not to panic and reconnect it when I stop.  It's happened
maybe 5 times in the last year.  Well, those two lights came on the other
day, I was about 15 minutes from home and decided to reconnect when I got
there.  About half a mile from the house, I notice the temp gauge rapidly
rising while the little idiot light flashed it's warning (key word-Idiot).
Downhill the rest of the way, I shut down and coasted into the driveway.
Pop the hatchcover, and sure enough, I had thrown the belt that runs the
alternator and water pump.  Moral of the story-when your vanagon is trying
to tell you something-LISTEN!

Scott
'84 Westy
Rockville, MD