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Date:         Fri, 17 Dec 1999 10:32:00 -0500
Reply-To:     Patrick Hatcher <phatcher@RRINC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Patrick Hatcher <phatcher@RRINC.COM>
Subject:      OXS and Battery Light? Van Dies.
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi all. It's been a while since I was subscribed to the list, mainly because of a job loss, then a new job, computer crash, then new computer, buying a house, and having a baby. I'm not currently subscribed to the list, so please reply off-list, if you can help.

Anyway, my 85 Westy GL (Automatic--79,000 original miles) has been plugging along fine until this past week.

Symptoms:

Whenever I would put the van over 4,000 RPMs, the OXS and Battery Sensor Lights on the dash would come on until I slowed down a bit (below 4,000 RPMs). That has been going on for a few days. I was due for a van checkup anyway, and I was going to have my local VW mechanic take a look next week. (The two sensors typically come on when their is not enough juice when the van first starts, and I know that this is pretty normal).

Yesterday, I made an 80 mile round trip to a local city. On the highway, I noticed the RPM "limit" at which the OXS and Battery sensors would appear slowly became lower and lower. Then finally, while driving about 50 mph, they came on and stayed on until I got home. They were still on this morning when I drove to work (20 mile drive).

Problem: Almost to work, the van slowly died (it acted like the alternator went bad). Luckily, I had an extra battery with me, so I switched them out and drove on to work (the sensors are still on).

Other helpful info:

I just replaced the battery a week ago with a newer (but still used) battery I pulled out of an 88 Weekender that had caught fire (engine compartment gone, but interior, etc. still in decent shape).

I'm overdue for an oil change.

What I've done:

Checked the archives (my browser timed out) Checked Bentley (no help) Called my mechanic (says it's probably an alternator)

Basically, I would like to know if there is anything else I can check before I spend the $200 for the 90 AMP alternator (beast) that I'll (probably) need.

Thanks for all your help!

-Patrick Hatcher 85' Westy GL "Vicki"

J. Patrick Hatcher Technical Writer/Systems Trainer Recognition Research, Inc. (RRI) 1750 Kraft Drive, Suite 2000 Blacksburg, VA 24060 540.961.6500 540.961.3568/fax http://www.rrinc.com phatcher@rrinc.com


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