Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2011 12:44:49 -0400
Reply-To: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject: Re: Alternator question
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-ds3E986D847F2B228B03BEFA0B90@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi Volks,
I changed the belt this morning and the shrieking has stopped. The
charging issue remains.
As Dennis suspected, the battery light does not come on when I first
turn the key before starting the van. Also possibly related: about a
week ago I also lost all my dash illumination. The gauges and coolant
warning light still function however; only the battery indicator and
dash lights seem to be affected.
I have removed and inspected the cluster and everything looks OK; I
tried swapping the LED's between the OXS and the battery but no luck.
I also checked the connection of the blue wire on the back of the
alternator and it appears to be clean and well seated.
Any Suggestions on how to troubleshoot the warning light would be
greatly appreciated.
Happy Trails,
Greg Potts
Toronto, Ontario Canada
197x Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop (ND Graphics graphics wrap)
1988 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop (Colleen's ride)
Engine conversion blog: http://www.pottsfamily.ca/wordpress/
www.pottsfamily.ca
BUSES OF THE CORN - AUGUST 12-14th, 2011
www.busesofthecorn.ca
On 3/25/2011 6:24 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> Bad alternator bearings can also lead to the shrieking belt syndrome.
> Needing to rev to start charging is a sign the warning light system is not
> right. Does the warning light work? If yes then did you change the fridge
> relay with something different for say charging a second battery?
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Greg Potts
> Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 12:05 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Alternator question
>
> Hi Volks,
>
> There are two issues I have noticed recently with my 87 Wolfsburg...
>
> firstly, the alternator belt has been shrieking like a banshee; mostly at
> start-up, but occasionally I have noticed it at stoplights or when revving
> slightly as I am pulling away from the curb. The belt tension is good and
> the belt seems to be in good shape. Over the weekend I swapped the
> alternator with a good condition slightly used unit this week I am seeing
> the same results. I have purchased a replacement belt but haven't had
> opportunity to install it yet as the weather here has turned for the worse
> this week.
>
> The other thing I have noticed is that the alternator is not charging until
> I throttle the engine up to around 2500 rpms. It sits at 12V after I start
> the engine and doesn't rise to 14V until I blip the throttle.
> Once it comes up to 14 it stays there until the engine is shut off again,
> with minor drops depending on load.